On December 1, the close-up event of the "Friends of Sevan" awareness-raising program, implemented by the "Environment and Health" NGO within the framework EU4Sevan Project, took place.
"Friends of Sevan" aims to raise awareness among young people living in Gegharkunik region, contributing to the protection of the environment and the restoration of the ecosystem of Lake Sevan.
The awareness-raising "Friends of Sevan" program included about 35 communities, 40 schools, and more than 4000 adults and children of Gegharkunik region. From April to November 2022, 32 webinars, 55 thematic open classes and discussions, training of teachers of 12 selected schools and program ambassadors, and 5 thematic modules were carried out with joint efforts.
The most beloved part of the program was the theatrical performance "The Call of Sevan" (Sevani Aghers), which was presented to about 1500 children and adults in the Gegharkunik region.
By learning about innovative agriculture, ecotourism approaches, scientific solutions with water monitoring and ETS tools, sustainable water management and wastewater treatment technologies, as well as project development and management skills, the working groups formed by the schools developed 9 projects full of great ideas.
During the final event, the results of the activities of the "Friends of Sevan" program were presented, as well as a competition of projects developed by selected schools of the Gegharkunik region of RA and aimed at improving and protecting the ecosystem of Lake Sevan was held. The best 5 projects were selected by a special committee. The selected teams will continue to work in the next phase of the "Friends of Sevan" project to further improve their projects and bring them to life.

• The ideas submitted to the project competition were:
• "Oxygen for Sevan" (Gavar, Karmirgyugh),
• "Ecotour in Vardenik" (Vardenik),
• "Awareness Raising Hiking Club" (Artsvanist),
• "Innovation Greenhouse" (Lchavan),
• "Beautiful and clean Sevan" (Tsovagyuh),
• " Vardenis, the cleanest city of Gegharkunik" (Vardenis),
• "Clean rivers, clean Sevan" (Akunk),
• "Sevan through the eyes of tourists" (Sarukhan).

The main goal of all the mentioned programs is the protection of Lake Sevan. As a result of the competition, the following projects were recognized as the best:

• "Awareness Raising Hiking Club" (Artsvanist),
• "The cleanest city of Gegharkunik, Vardenis" (Vardenis),
• "Friends of Sevan" eco-center (Ddmashen),
• "Oxygen for Sevan" (Gavar, Karmirgyugh),
• "Innovation Greenhouse" (Lchavan),

At the end of the event, all participants received gifts and certificates of appreciation for their participation. Ambassadors and teachers of the program, as well as the 5 selected teams, also received special gifts.