On November 1, the submission deadline for complete project packages for the “Best School Mini Garden” competition concluded. The selection committee has commenced its meticulous review, examining each project closely and evaluating them based on merit. The assessment process is scheduled to conclude by December 1, 2023. Information regarding the winners will be announced on the Ministry of Education and Culture’s official website, as well as on the competition’s dedicated Facebook page. Furthermore, all participants will receive notifications through private messages.
In March 2023, the World Food Program of the United Nations, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, alongside thermenia dates back to 2014, supported by the UN World Food Program, technical aid from the Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute (SIFI) of the Russian Federation and the “School Feeding and Child’s Welfare” institution, announced the launch of the “Best School Mini Garden” competition.
This competition, an integral part of the “School Feeding” program, aims to promote the establishment of school gardens nationwide. Its objectives extend beyond increasing the utilization of fresh vegetables and herbs in school meals; it also aims to spark enthusiasm for organic farming among children from an early age by acquainting them with the fundamental aspects of land cultivation.
The three winners of the competition will be awarded prizes, with the top-performing school receiving a grant valued at 3000 USD. This grant is intended to support the development, expansion, and enhancement of the school garden, further fostering sustainable agriculture practices and promoting access to nutritious food.
For the 2023 competition, the organizers have selected the theme “Inspiring School Eco-Garden,” emphasizing the organic cultivation methods within school gardens. Consequently, all participating schools are required to align with the fundamental principles of organic farming, incorporating a range of interconnected components.
This year’s competition introduces a new aspect where participating schools are encouraged to draw inspiration from garden pictures and drawings created by their students while crafting their gardens.
The competition is structured in two stages:
During the 1st stage, schools completed and submitted their participation applications by the deadline: April 12, 2023. The commission received 49 requests for participation.
In the 2nd stage, schools compiled comprehensive application packages for submission. These packages detail the school’s experience in establishing and maintaining a school garden, showcasing their knowledge and commitment to sustainable agriculture and healthy eating. The deadline for submitting project packages was November 1, 2023. Out of the 49 schools that applied in the first stage, only 20 managed to submit the comprehensive package within the specified period. Consequently, the competition will proceed among these 20 schools.
The selection committee will evaluate the received project packages and announce the winners by December 1, 2023.
