On the Road to COP17: Green Apprenticeships for Young People in Armenia

Armenia is preparing to host a major event in global environmental governance: the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) on biodiversity, which will take place in Yerevan in October 2026. Beyond this major diplomatic event, COP17 represents a unique opportunity to accelerate the country’s ecological transition and prepare a new generation of professionals equipped to address tomorrow’s environmental challenges.

With this vision in mind, Miassine Foundation, in partnership with GAN Global and with the support of the City of Geneva, is launching the project “Green Apprenticeships and Economic Inclusion for a Just Transition”, an ambitious programme to be implemented from 2026 to 2028.

Its ambition is clear: to turn the ecological transition into an opportunity for employment, innovation and inclusion by equipping young Armenians with the skills and opportunities they need to build their future in green economy professions.

The project will develop new work-based apprenticeship pathways in five strategic sectors: renewable energy, reforestation, recycling, sustainable agriculture and ecotourism. Designed in collaboration with businesses, these training programmes will directly address labour market needs while contributing to the country’s environmental objectives.

A total of 50 young people, at least half of whom will be women, will benefit from personalised support. They will undertake training programmes lasting five to eight months, combining theoretical learning, workplace experience, mentoring and support in transitioning into employment. The objective is not simply to provide training, but to establish genuine pathways connecting educational institutions, businesses and local communities.

This new phase builds on the longstanding partnership between GAN Global and Miassine Foundation, which has already helped improve the quality of apprenticeship training in Armenia and contributed to the establishment of GAN Armenia, in collaboration with the Union of Employers of Armenia and the Confederation of Trade Unions.

The new project will also bring together leading stakeholders in the green economy, including Solaron, ACBA Federation, MyForest Armenia, the Armenian Environmental Network and Pherorganic, to develop training programmes tailored to the actual needs of businesses and the challenges of the ecological transition.

Particular attention will be given to rural communities, especially those surrounding Lake Arpi National Park, where Miassine Foundation has been implementing projects for several years that combine local development, sustainable tourism, biodiversity conservation and entrepreneurship. By creating new professional opportunities in these areas, the programme will help curb youth outmigration, strengthen local economies and promote the sustainable use of natural resources.

The project will also demonstrate that the ecological transition is, above all, a human transition. It can only succeed by investing in skills, creating decent jobs and empowering everyone to participate in change.

As COP17 approaches, Miassine reaffirms its commitment to a development model in which the environment, employment and social inclusion advance hand in hand. Training young people for green professions today means building a more resilient, innovative and inclusive Armenia for tomorrow.