A meeting with winemakers from Nagorno-Karabakh was organised within the framework of the UNDP Sustainable Communities programme to better understand the demand for support among winemakers, identify their key needs and challenges, and develop appropriate programmes based on the information gathered.

The meeting was attended by Arman Valesyan, Programme Manager of the UNDP Sustainable Communities programme; Lusine Balayan, Sustainable Business Development Expert; Zaruhi Muradyan, Executive Director of the Wine Producers Association; Albert Nersisyan, Winemaking Expert; and 20 winemakers from Nagorno-Karabakh.

During the discussion, participants presented their production capacities, the main challenges they face in restarting and developing their activities, as well as their suggestions and views on potential areas of support.

The next phase will include visits to the winemakers’ production sites to assess their production capacities, existing conditions and development potential on site. The results of the meeting and assessments will serve as a basis for developing future initiatives and identifying the most targeted areas for potential support.

With the financial support of the Government of Japan, UNDP is implementing The Project for Promoting Agricultural Development for Displaced Karabakh Armenians and Affected Host Communities in Armenia, which envisages the establishment of small-scale production facilities in the regions of Ararat, Armavir, Aragatsotn and Kotayk.