Climate-Adaptive Food Security Enhancement Project (CAFSEP), Armenia
Avenue Consulting Group LLC, in partnership with 3R Strategy LLC, has been officially contracted by Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia to serve as Rural Development and Agriculture Consultant (RDAC) under the Climate-Adaptive Food Security Enhancement Project (CAFSEP), financed by Asian Development Bank (ADB).
This large-scale, multi-year national initiative focuses on strengthening agricultural livelihoods and food security in ten climate-vulnerable communities across Shirak and Tavush marzes, where poverty rates exceed 35%. The project aims to enhance the adaptive capacity of rural populations through sustainable agricultural development, renewable energy integration, and inclusive economic empowerment.
As RDAC, Avenue Consulting Group is responsible for designing and implementing the full rural development component of CAFSEP over 2025–2026 period. This includes conducting community mobilization, beneficiary outreach, needs assessments, technical support, and ongoing agricultural mentoring for 230 rural households, with an emphasis on gender equality and youth inclusion.
Key responsibilities and achievements include:
Community Outreach and Mobilization
Conducting information campaigns, consultations, and awareness events to inform rural communities about eligibility and project benefits. Avenue coordinates the household selection process in compliance with ADB’s social and environmental safeguards.
Beneficiary Identification and Support
Selecting and supporting 200 households to establish climate-smart backyard orchards, and 30 households to implement income-generating projects through in-kind grants. Special focus is given to women-led and youth-led households actively involved in agriculture.
Investment Model Design
Developing tailored investment packages, including equipment such as drip irrigation systems, greenhouses, solar panels, fruit dryers, and small-scale processing facilities. Each package is backed by customized business plans and feasibility studies.
Training and Capacity Building
Designing and delivering four thematic training modules covering sustainable agricultural practices, financial literacy, marketing, and business planning. These sessions combine theoretical instruction with practical, hands-on learning.
Technical Assistance and Monitoring
Providing direct, one-on-one technical assistance to all selected households across a full agricultural cycle, supporting them in planting, harvesting, business operations, and market engagement. Farmer Field Days are organized to demonstrate practices and promote peer learning.
Procurement and Installation Oversight
Preparing detailed technical specifications for procurement, supporting the delivery and installation of agricultural equipment, and ensuring all activities meet environmental and safety standards outlined in the ADB’s policies.
RDAC contract was awarded through a competitive process based on ADB’s Fixed-Budget Selection method and is governed by international procurement and performance standards. The consulting team includes specialists in agronomy, agricultural economics, community mobilization, value chain development, and smart-agriculture technologies.
This initiative aligns directly with Armenia’s 2020–2030 agricultural development agenda and ADB’s climate resilience and gender mainstreaming goals. Through its role as RDAC, Avenue Consulting Group is advancing long-term rural sustainability, building institutional capacity, and delivering measurable impact in the country's most vulnerable regions.
The project commenced in January 2025 and will continue through December 2026.