YEREVAN. – The USAID on Friday will officially launch in Armenia two five-year rural economic development projects - the Partnerships for Rural Prosperity (PRP) program and the Advanced Rural Development Initiative (ARDI).

The PRP and ARDI programs will build upon current and previous initiatives of the Government of Armenia, the U.S. Government, USAID, other donors and non-governmental organizations to promote the country’s broader development outside of capital Yerevan.

The programs, which will be implemented by local organizations, will address the economic challenges in rural communities, assist them to become competitive and to create new jobs for the local inhabitants. A general overview of the PRP and ARDI will be presented during the event.

John Heffern, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia; Sergo Karapetyan, Minister of Agriculture of Armenia; Karine Minasyan, Deputy Minister of Economy of Armenia; Anush Aslanyan, Chief of Party, SME Development National Center (implementer of PRP); and Vahe Sardaryan, Chief of Party, Fuller Center for Housing (implementer of ARDI), will deliver remarks at the event.

Invitees include high level officials from the Armenian government, implementing partners, representatives of local and international organizations, NGOs, and the private sector.

The topic is the official launch of two USAID-funded rural economic development programs.

Since 1992, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been a leading donor agency in Armenia, managing about two-thirds of the total U.S. assistance program. The USAID Mission to Armenia works with the Armenian public, the Government of Armenia, non-governmental organizations, businesses, and other donors to increase Armenia’s economic competitiveness, promote civic participation and access to a wide range of media outlets. USAID also helps expand access to quality healthcare and social services, and protect the country’s most vulnerable citizens from poverty.