Viva-MTS: One more part of the energy-efficient lighting system has been launched in Berdavan

Since 2016, introduction of the energy-efficient outdoor lighting system has been implemented in the streets of Berdavan. The number of illuminated streets in the village increases every year. Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Heritage (FPWC) have a fundamental approach to develop infrastructures in Armenia, especially in remote borderland villages. The partners have completed the next stage of works in Berdavan community.

By 2019, partners have installed 325 LED lamps, illuminating 10.5 km of roads as a result of the introduction of an energy-saving system. In 2020-21, the Noyemberyan municipality also had a contribution in the project. The number of energy-saving LED streetlights has increased by 115, totaling to 4.5 km of the road. In 2016-2021, only within the street lighting program 440 LED lamps were installed, illuminating a 15 km long road. Through years of efforts, the main streets of the community, the borderline adjacent to the village, the streets leading to the kindergartens, schools and other community’s important buildings have been illuminated. This is the summary of the partnership between Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) in Berdavan.

Viva-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian, FPWC Founder Ruben Khachatryan, Noyemberyan community head Arsen Aghababyan, Berdavan administrative head Aram Zurabyan and the community residents participated in the lighting system launching ceremony.

“We are once again in Berdavan to evaluate the work that has been done. For us the process is over in a tour as we see illuminated streets, whereas for the village the results are long-lasting. We see the emotional side of the project, the happy faces of people, whereas the villagers see this in rational terms – in energy-saving figures, safety levels, and much more. This program is fundamental for the remote and specifically borderland villages. And that is one of the reasons that we do our best to faciliate the development of infrastructures in a consistent year by year effort,” Viva-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian said.

Berdavan is one of the rare border villages in Armenia, where streets are lighted, all night long. The environment friendly LED lamps also provide a stable and clean environment. The efficiency and importance of the implemented system is appreciated at the village. Community’s financial burden is alleviated. LED lamps are more efficient and durable, serve incomparably longer and consume 80% less electricity. Due to solving the lighting problem, walking around the village became safer even in the late hours of the day, which is a very important issue in the border villages.

The Partners targeted the development of the infrastructure in borderland villages, within the framework of the “Eco Villages Network” project; this effective partnership is in progress in Berdavan village, Tavush region since 2015. In addition to realizing a street lighting system, other projects have also been implemented here: the kindergarten and music school in the village are provided solar heating systems.

Eco villages network includes selected intentional or traditional communities throughout Armenia, that are consciously designed through locally owned, participatory processes to regenerate their social, cultural, economic and natural environments. The core idea behind the whole concept of the ecovillages is integrating the four dimensions of sustainability – ecological, economic, cultural and social – through integral, participatory design. The project is a new format of the long-term cooperation between the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC), VivaCell-MTS and the Global Ecovillages Network (GEN) in the field of environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources.

The Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) was founded in Y2002. FPWC is a member organization of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since Y2012. FPWC’s mission is to publicize the unique natural heritage of Armenia and the importance of biodiversity conservation, environmental issues and the importance of preserving nature. We aim to reduce human and wildlife conflict and its consequences to reduce the risks of endangered species of flora and fauna. Biodiversity conservation, environmental education, community development and public awareness are the main directions of our activities.

Viva-MTS (MTS Armenia CJSC) is Armenia’s leading telecommunications operator, having the widest network reach and spreading a wide range of Voice and Data services all across Armenia. Having the best of the Armenian people at heart since its launch on 1st July 2005 and in a short period of time Viva-MTS has managed to build a nationwide network and a considerable customer base. Viva-MTS drives innovation and aims at always being at the forefront of any development serving the Armenian mobile communications market.  The company follows the guidance provided by ISO 26000 (International Standard of Social Responsibility), ISO/IEC 27001:2013 (Information Security Management System) and ISO 37001 (International anti-bribery management systems standard).

Mobile TeleSystems PJSC (“MTS”) is the leading telecommunications group in Russia and the CIS, offering mobile and fixed voice, broadband, pay TV as well as content and entertainment services in one of the world’s fastest growing regions. Including its subsidiaries, the Group services over 86.5 million mobile subscribers in Russia, Armenia and Belarus. Since June Y2000, MTS’ Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol MBT). Additional information about the MTS Group can be found at: www.mtsgsm.com