---  Gayane Shahnazaryan ---

NFP from the Ministry of Environment

--- Nelli Baghdasaryan ---

NFP from the Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia

'I have learned and understand that creating environmental information is one thing, but bringing it to the decision-makers and public is another challenge.'

Why are you passionate about the environment: Love of environment is not a choice. We all have to play our part in saving the planet. When I started to work in the Environmental Monitoring Center, I found out that I am here to help the environment. Monitoring data can help you identify any potential problems or issues early on. 

Favourite place: My favourite place is my home country — Armenia, with its historical and cultural heritages, wonderful nature and picturesque mountain rivers and lakes, mountains and waterfalls. 

Background: I studied chemistry at the university and then got a PhD in Environmental Science. 

Surprising part about the project: The proper project management and coordination, dedicated staff, relevant expert network method of implementation of the activities.

Key learning from the project: I have learned and understand that creating environmental information is one thing, but bringing it to the decision-makers and public is another challenge. Additional efforts are required to understand information needs at national level and linking it with SEIS. 

Project's added value: The project supports establishing the Shared Environmental Information System in Armenia, enhancing capacities of Armenian experts in developing environmental indicators and environmental information system, and supporting infrastructure, improving data exchange practices and the implementation of SEIS principles and meeting environmental reporting obligations. 

Implemented actions: Assisting practical implementation of national working plan in Armenia, facilitating regular environmental assessments and reporting actively engaging stakeholders, coordinating and planning events, and linking with the currently ongoing projects.

Why are you passionate about the environment: The environment is something we all enjoy and take for granted. It is rather like breathing. You simply don’t expect there to come a time when you don’t have clean air any more. But the truth is, our ecosystem is fragile and human actions are damaging it. But everyone can make a contribution to safeguarding the future of our planet.

Favourite place: My favourite place is my birthplace, Yerevan, which is already 2 800 years old. 

Background: I had graduated from Yerevan Polytechnic University. After that, I started working in Armstat as a young specialist. I have been working for 34 years with statistics, of which 27 years is with environmental statistics. 

Surprising part about the project: Strong communication is key in this project management. For successful project execution, effective communication with all stakeholders is essential. Many projects fail because of a lack of communication or an ineffective one. Communication is best defined as the sharing of information and the expression of ideas, thoughts and feelings by using words and other methods. In the project management context, this means the sharing of knowledge, skills and experience.

Key learning from the project: During the project implementation period, my team members and I took part in several workshops, trainings and meetings that allowed us to enrich our knowledge on environmental statistics and development of relevant indicators. 

Project's added value: During this project we have received high-level expert assistance and formed strong collaborative relationships with our colleagues from project's countries, which help us to make the output of our efforts more visible and productive. 

Implemented actions: As the result of this project, many steps have been taken to improve the state of country reporting to fill the gaps in existing data using international standards and methodologies, and to have close cooperation with relevant stakeholders. As a result, we significantly improved the quality of provision environmental indicators in Armenia.