The United Nations World Food Programme, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, the Social and Industrial Foodservice institute, and the School Feeding and Child Welfare Agency, announce the launch of the sixth annual “Best School Mini Garden of Armenia” competition.
Since 2021, many schools have joined the competition and created mini gardens. In these gardens, children learn how plants grow, work together, and take care of nature. They also help provide fresh vegetables and herbs for school meals. Over time, school gardens have become an important part of school life.
Theme of the 2026 Competition: “Neighbors in Our Garden: Secrets of Biodiversity”
This year’s theme encourages students to explore how different plants, insects, and other living organisms can coexist and support one another in a healthy garden ecosystem. Children will learn about biodiversity, companion planting, beneficial insects, and natural balance in gardens.
As part of the competition, primary school students will create drawings showing how plants grow together as good neighbors and write short stories or explanations about biodiversity in their gardens. Schools are encouraged to integrate this topic into educational activities and agricultural initiative group meetings throughout the year.
New Competition Component: Waste Management and Resource Reuse
This year, the competition also introduces a new section focused on environmental responsibility. Participating schools will describe how they manage organic and non-organic waste, implement composting practices, reuse available materials, and involve students in environmentally responsible activities within the garden.
Competition Categories
Best School Mini Garden – for schools that have space to establish and maintain outdoor gardens.
Best Windowsill Garden – for schools that do not have outdoor gardening space and instead develop creative indoor gardens.
Awards and Recognition
The school winning first place in the Best School Mini Garden category will receive a grant equivalent to USD 3,000 to further expand its gardening initiatives.
Second- and third-place winners will receive useful prizes for their school canteens or gardens.
The winner of the Best Windowsill Garden nomination will also receive a valuable prize to support further development of its project.
Additional special nominations may be introduced to recognize particularly creative, innovative, or consistent participants. All participating schools will receive certificates.
Competition Timeline
Stage 1: Submission of registration forms
Registration deadline: July 1, 2026
Stage 2: Submission of full project application packages
Application deadline: November 1, 2026
The Selection Committee will review all submissions and announce winners by December 1, 2026.
How to Participate
Schools interested in joining the competition can find all the details, participation requirements, and application details through the Competition Conditions.
In order to register for participation the schools should fill the Registration Form.
For questions or consultations, organizers can be contacted at: minigarden.armenia@gmail.com.
Schools are also encouraged to follow the competition’s official Facebook page for updates, reminders, and announcements.
Join the initiative and help students grow not only vegetables and herbs, but also knowledge, responsibility, and respect for nature.
Since 2021, many schools have joined the competition and created mini gardens. In these gardens, children learn how plants grow, work together, and take care of nature. They also help provide fresh vegetables and herbs for school meals. Over time, school gardens have become an important part of school life.
Theme of the 2026 Competition: “Neighbors in Our Garden: Secrets of Biodiversity”
This year’s theme encourages students to explore how different plants, insects, and other living organisms can coexist and support one another in a healthy garden ecosystem. Children will learn about biodiversity, companion planting, beneficial insects, and natural balance in gardens.
As part of the competition, primary school students will create drawings showing how plants grow together as good neighbors and write short stories or explanations about biodiversity in their gardens. Schools are encouraged to integrate this topic into educational activities and agricultural initiative group meetings throughout the year.
New Competition Component: Waste Management and Resource Reuse
This year, the competition also introduces a new section focused on environmental responsibility. Participating schools will describe how they manage organic and non-organic waste, implement composting practices, reuse available materials, and involve students in environmentally responsible activities within the garden.
Competition Categories
Best School Mini Garden – for schools that have space to establish and maintain outdoor gardens.
Best Windowsill Garden – for schools that do not have outdoor gardening space and instead develop creative indoor gardens.
Awards and Recognition
The school winning first place in the Best School Mini Garden category will receive a grant equivalent to USD 3,000 to further expand its gardening initiatives.
Second- and third-place winners will receive useful prizes for their school canteens or gardens.
The winner of the Best Windowsill Garden nomination will also receive a valuable prize to support further development of its project.
Additional special nominations may be introduced to recognize particularly creative, innovative, or consistent participants. All participating schools will receive certificates.
Competition Timeline
Stage 1: Submission of registration forms
Registration deadline: July 1, 2026
Stage 2: Submission of full project application packages
Application deadline: November 1, 2026
The Selection Committee will review all submissions and announce winners by December 1, 2026.
How to Participate
Schools interested in joining the competition can find all the details, participation requirements, and application details through the Competition Conditions.
In order to register for participation the schools should fill the Registration Form.
For questions or consultations, organizers can be contacted at: minigarden.armenia@gmail.com.
Schools are also encouraged to follow the competition’s official Facebook page for updates, reminders, and announcements.
Join the initiative and help students grow not only vegetables and herbs, but also knowledge, responsibility, and respect for nature.