“Aragats Valley LAG” Territorial Development NGO was established with the participation of residents from eight settlements of Ani and Artik communities in Shirak province, aiming to promote the sustainable, inclusive, and comprehensive development of the communities.
The organization was formed in 2022 through the Austrian Development Agency’s “LEAD4Shirak” program and operated as a Local Action Group (LAG), based on the principles of the European Union’s LEADER model. Since January 2024, “Aragats Valley LAG” officially holds the status of a Territorial Development NGO.
LAG Structure
The LAG Board of Directors is considered the governing body of the group and discusses and makes decisions on all matters related to the activities of the LAG, except for those issues that fall within the competence of the LAG General Assembly. It makes decisions regarding admission to and removal from LAG membership.
It discusses and approves the LAG’s sustainability and financial plan, monitoring program, visibility plan, internal rules on conflict of interest and ethics, policies on travel, accounting, and procurement, as well as other corporate documents. On behalf of the LAG, it adopts and issues statements, reports, appeals, and observations.
The Board of Directors is headed by the Secretary.
Meruzhan Hareyan
Board Member
Ara Sukiasyan
Board Member
Vahagn Saroyan
Board Member
Hermine Vardanyan
Board Member
Hasmik Aleksanyan
Board Member
Susanna Poghosyan
Board Member
Kristina Hovhannisyan
Board Member
Hovhannes Margaryan
Board Member
Violeta Hovhannisyan
Board Member
The Audit Committee continuously monitors the activities of the LAG, including overseeing the use of the LAG’s funds by the Secretariat and the Board of Directors.
The Audit Committee is composed of three members, who may not simultaneously serve as members of any other LAG body.
The members of the Audit Committee are:
Lilit Hamboyan
Member of the Audit Committee
Volodya Hovhannisyan
Member of the Audit Committee
Hayarpi Babayan
Member of the Audit Committee
The Education Development Working Group is responsible for contributing to the implementation of sectoral objectives derived from the Strategy, identifying the needs of the sector, and initiating community programs that address those needs.
The Agriculture Development Working Group is responsible for contributing to the implementation of sectoral objectives derived from the Strategy, identifying the needs of the sector, and initiating community programs that address those needs.
The Tourism Development Working Group is responsible for contributing to the implementation of sectoral objectives derived from the Strategy, identifying the needs of the sector, and initiating community programs that address those needs.
The Communication Working Group is responsible for increasing the visibility of the LAG (through social media and other means), raising public awareness about the LAG’s activities, creating networking opportunities with stakeholders, and carrying out other functions that contribute to the LAG’s operations.
Depending on the needs, other roles and working groups may also be established during the course of the LAG’s activities.
The LAG Coordinator is responsible for organizing the activities of the group, including convening General Assemblies and Board meetings, managing all matters related to the preparation and conduct of these meetings, and other related tasks.
The LAG Coordinator is elected by the Board of Directors through a competitive selection process.