ASPIRED Project Report Q3 – FY 2016

The project's primary goal is to support sustainable water resource management and promote sustainable practices of water users in the Ararat Valley through the use of science, technology, innovation, and partnership initiatives. The ASPIRED project focuses on several critical areas, including water resource data, technology, regulatory framework/enforcement of laws, and coordination across stakeholders. A strong emphasis is placed on building partnerships with USAID Global Development Lab, the US Geological Survey (USGS), the private sector, research organizations, and international donors to pilot innovative water and energy efficiency technologies and promote better water resource monitoring, planning, and sustainable management. During the third quarter of Year 1, covering the period of April 1 through June 30, 2016, the ASPIRED project achieved several milestones. The project team submitted several deliverables to USAID, including the proceedings of the training program on the inventory of groundwater wells and data collection protocols delivered by USGS, Data Availability and Gap Analysis Report, Assessment of Opportunities for Application of Advanced Technologies in Armenia in the Aquaculture Sector, and Stakeholders' Mapping Report. The project also made significant progress in inventorying wells and springs in the Ararat Valley, with 1020 wells, including 340 in 136 fish farms, and 98 groups of springs inventoried. The ASPIRED team completed the designs of the hydrological and climate change schemes of the decision support tool for Ararat Valley and digitized data on the lithological structure of the groundwater wells of the Ararat Valley. The project team also implemented the Hayanist irrigation project and assisted the Ministry of Nature Protection (MNP) in the adoption process of the Southern Basin Management Plan, which was adopted by the Government on May 26, 2016. The project's performance indicators for the second quarter of FY 2016 are presented in a table, showing progress towards targets for publicly accessible datasets, wells mapped in the Ararat Valley, and stakeholders engaged in data collection activities. The project's achievements and progress are expected to contribute to the reduction of the rate of groundwater extraction in the Ararat Valley to sustainable levels. The ASPIRED project's quarterly report highlights the challenges and actions taken during the reporting period, including the implementation of the Hayanist irrigation project and the adoption of the Southern Basin Management Plan. The report also presents planned activities for the next quarter, including the continuation of the Hayanist irrigation project and the implementation of the decision support tool for Ararat Valley. The project's focus on building partnerships and promoting innovative water and energy efficiency technologies is expected to contribute to the sustainable management of water resources in the Ararat Valley. The project's achievements and progress are expected to have a positive impact on the environment and the local community, and to contribute to the reduction of poverty and inequality in the region.