Latest news

From Seed to Harvest: Armenian Schools will compete for the title of winner of the “Best School Mini Garden” 2025 Competition

Armenia
The UN World Food Programme (WFP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia, alongside the Russian Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute and the “School Feeding and Child Welfare” Agency, is proud to announce the launch of the fifth annual “Best School Mini Garden of Armenia” competition!

Since 2021, this competition has brought together students, teachers, parents, and agricultural experts to create and cultivate school mini gardens that promote healthy school meals and agricultural education. Now in its fifth year, the competition continues to flourish, becoming an integral part of the School Feeding Programme in Armenia.

Over the years, the competition has become a highlight in the school calendar, sparking enthusiasm across the country and creating a network of schools dedicated to growing their own food while teaching students the value of teamwork, ecology, and self-sufficiency.

This Theme of 2025 Competition is “School Garden Guardian”

The 2025 competition invites students to imagine a unique garden mascot — a magical guardian who protects and nurtures their garden. This character will serve as the guardian of the garden and a symbol of its growth, becoming a source of inspiration for exciting stories, fairy tales, and colorful decorations in the gardens.

Two Nominations, One Goal

To ensure including all general education schools, the competition this year as well will feature two main nominations:

  • The Best School Mini Garden – for schools with the space and conditions to grow a traditional garden outdoors.

  • The Best Windowsill Garden – for schools without garden space, encouraging creativity in indoor, small-scale gardening.

Prizes and Recognition

Prizes await the top three winners of each category.

  • The winner of “The Best School Mini Garden” will receive a $3,000 grant to expand or improve their school garden.

Schools that take second and third places will receive prizes such as gardening tools or kitchen equipment.

  • The winner of “The Best Windowsill Garden” will receive a valuable prize, aimed at supporting and developing their indoor garden project.

Additionally, special nominations may be introduced to reward unique or particularly creative projects, even if they are not among the top three winners. All winners and nominees will receive certificates of appreciation.

Competition Timeline

The competition is structured into two distinct stages:

  • Stage 1: Schools must complete and submit a Registration Form to officially enter the competition.

Deadline for registration: July 1, 2025

  • Stage 2: Participating schools will prepare and submit a comprehensive Application Package. This package should highlight their experience in creating and maintaining a school mini garden (or windowsill garden), and demonstrate their understanding of sustainable agriculture, teamwork, and healthy eating practices.

Deadline for submitting project packages: December 1, 2025

The Selection Committee will review all submissions and announce the winners by February 1, 2026.

How to Participate

Schools interested in taking part in the competition can find detailed information, including the full contest guidelines, rules, and registration requirements, by visiting the following link.

For any questions or consultations, organizers are available and happy to assist. Please reach out via email at: minigarden.armenia@gmail.com

Stay informed and don’t miss important updates! Follow the official Facebook page of the contest to receive the latest news, announcements, and reminders regarding deadlines and participation requirements.

Join our initiative, inspire your students, enrich your school with valuable healthy experiences, and contribute to future development by creating and cultivating mini gardens!