REC project in Armenia

Jul

Call for Demonstration Project Proposals – Sustainable Packaging

Progress IKI

Business case / Demonstration projects selection criteria and processes

Implementation of demonstration projects introducing sustainable and circular packaging innovations in Armenia’s fruit, berry, and nut sectors

Context

The Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus of Armenia (REC Caucasus Armenia), within the framework of the regional project ‘Promoting Green Deal Readiness in the Eastern Partnership Countries’ (PROGRESS), funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Government, commissioned by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Natural Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, in partnership with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (RECC), the European Business Association (EBA) Moldova and the Institute for Economics and Forecasting of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (IEF), supports demonstration projects aimed at promoting sustainable, circular, and climate-resilient packaging solutions in the fruit, berry, and nut value chains in Armenia.

Objective and Expected Results

The objective of the Call for the Development and Implementation of Demonstration Projects is to select innovative, practical, and scalable demonstration projects that offer sustainable, environmentally responsible, and climate-resilient solutions in sustainable packaging within food-related sectors, particularly in the topics of fruits, berries and nuts. The project implementation is to solely be applied to Armenia. Projects should aim to reduce environmental pollution, support substitution of conventional plastic with recyclable or agro-waste-based alternatives, and improve Armenia’s readiness for sustainable trade and resource-efficient production. These projects should be grounded in the 3R or 5R principles (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and where applicable, Refuse and Recover), fostering a strong culture of waste prevention and circularity. Project proposals should clearly show the link between sustainable packaging and the food industry, such as reduced GHG emissions, and/or better opportunities for export of the respective agricultural products and food. Project proposals incorporating digital tools or digitalization components to enhance effectiveness, monitoring, or scalability will be considered a strong advantage.

Expected results include:

Use of recyclable, biodegradable, or agro-waste-based packaging alternatives;
Enhanced awareness and capacity among producers and processors;
Minimum 10% co-financing from applicants (cash or in-kind);
Projects grounded in the 3R or 5R principles (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse, Recover).

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants include registered businesses, CSOs, research institutions, social enterprises, and consortia legally operating in Armenia with activities related to agriculture, agri-food processing, recycling, packaging, and circular economy solutions.

Eligible applicants must:

Be legally registered in Armenia;
Operate in sectors related to agriculture, agri-processing, or sustainable packaging;
Propose projects focused on circular, resource-efficient, or agro-waste packaging solutions;
Provide at least 10-30% co-financing (cash and/or in-kind).

Priority Areas

Proposals must explicitly address one or more of the following packaging-related topics:

Development of biodegradable, compostable, or agro-waste-based packaging formats;
Replacement of plastic or multilayer packaging with recyclable paper/cardboard solutions;
Digital tools for packaging lifecycle tracking, traceability, or consumer engagement;
Reusable or modular packaging formats suitable for small producers;
Improving market access and export readiness while complying with food safety and EU standards.

Project Duration and Budget

Each project must be implemented within a maximum of 24 months, concluding by November 2027.

Applicants may request funding between EUR 5,000 – EUR 25,000 (in AMD equivalent). Each applicant must contribute at least 10% of the total project budget through co-financing (cash or in-kind). Applicants should be committed to ensuring that the equipment provided will support farmers and agribusinesses. Public benefits should be guaranteed. The applicants will share their experience with relevant beneficiaries, organize trainings, and possibly share sustainable practices and benefits with the general public.

Evaluation and Selection Criteria

Projects will be assessed using the following weighted criteria:

Criterion	Scoring Description	Scoring Range	Weight (%)
Beneficiary Inclusion	Assess whether the provided data is realistic and inclusive of both direct and indirect beneficiaries.	1–10: 1 (Low inclusion) to 10 (High inclusion).	15%
Primary Topic Relevance	Rate the project’s alignment with the primary thematic focus (e.g., climate resilience, sustainability, climate adaptation).	1–10: 1 (Low relevance) to 10 (High relevance).	15%
Secondary Topic Relevance	Rate the project’s contribution to secondary thematic areas, enhancing alignment with broader program goals.	1–10: 1 (Low contribution) to 10 (High contribution).	5%
Government Interest and Synergy	Evaluate the project’s alignment with government strategies, policies, and its synergy with ongoing initiatives.	1–10: 1 (Low alignment) to 10 (High alignment).	15%
Replicability Potential / Sustainability	Assess the likelihood of the project being adapted or scaled to other contexts or regionsi.	1–10: 1 (Low potential) to 10 (High potential).	15%
Support Structures	Evaluate the relevance and strength of support structures available to implement the project successfully.	1–10: 1 (Weak structures) to 10 (Strong structures).	5%
Enabling Environment	Assess how well the enabling environment (policies, infrastructure, and human resources) supports the project.	1–10: 1 (Weak environment) to 10 (Strong environment).	5%
Environmental Sustainability and Climate Adaptation	Evaluate the project’s potential to enhance environmental sustainability and promote climate adaptation.	1–10: 1 (Low sustainability) to 10 (High sustainability).	20%
Gender Sensitivity	Evaluate how well the project addresses gender inclusivity and promotes equal opportunities for women.	1–10: 1 (Low sensitivity) to 10 (High sensitivity).	5%

* Innovation; Based on Good Available Practice; Enhancing Employment will be considered as advantage

Optional Criteria	Innovation	Assess the novelty of the project in introducing new technologies, processes, or methods.	1–10: 1 (Low innovation) to 10 (High innovation).	10%
	Based on Good Available Practice	Evaluate how well the project aligns with or builds upon existing good practices.	1–10: 1 (Low alignment) to 10 (High alignment).	5%
	Enhancing Employment	Assess the project’s contribution to creating or improving employment opportunities.	1–10: 1 (Low impact) to 10 (High impact).	5%