The Community Speaks: From Participatory Discussions to a Sustainable Future

The Disaster Risk Reduction National Platform (ARNAP) Foundation, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), continues to implement the “Climate Risk Assessment in Consolidated Communities of Armenia” project.

Recently, ARNAP foundation’s experts completed the data collection phase required for disaster and climate risk assessment. The objective was clear: to study the community, identify risks, opportunities, and capacities, and better understand existing challenges.

Data collection was carried out using various tools and methods, including:

• Interviews with people (conducted via phone calls),
• Secondary data collection (online sources, previous studies and research, community development plans, statistical data, emergency statistics, hydrometeorological data, and others),
• Focus group discussions,
• Interviews with administrative leaders,
• Institutional assessment tables,
• Seasonal and historical calendars,
• Direct observation and mapping of settlements (through site visits).

During monitoring visits, focus group discussions brought together representatives of community structures, specialists, and local residents. These discussions addressed everyday challenges and opportunities within the community—from healthcare and education to agriculture, water resources, infrastructure, energy, environment, and tourism.

The Value of Participatory Discussions

These meetings became an important platform where every voice was valued. Community members and experts discussed not only existing risks and challenges but also proposed possible solutions to overcome them.

In addition to discussions, community mapping was conducted, and seasonal and historical calendars were developed. All of this contributed to a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the community’s current situation.

The Role of Collected Data and Next Steps

The information gathered during the project will serve as a key foundation for further analysis and refinement. This step is essential for accurately assessing risks and identifying effective solutions to enhance resilience.