The results of the “Best School Mini Garden in Armenia 2025” annual competition, which this year marks its anniversary - the fifth edition - have been summarized. The contest was implemented by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, the UN World Food Programme (WFP), the Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute (SIFI), and the “School Feeding and Child Welfare” Agency.
The 2025 contest was held under the theme “Guardian of Our School Garden ”, encouraging students to combine creativity, environmental responsibility, and teamwork. Participating schools were asked to create symbolic guardian-talismans for the garden, develop their story, and design the gardens with the idea of harmony with nature. According to the idea, the guardian of the garden embodies harmony with nature, “helping” the growth of plants. The participants not only invented the stories of their heroes and thematically designed the gardens, but also made these talismans the core of the activities of school agro-groups.
The competition was conducted in two main categories:
A total of 24 schools from six marzes of the Republic of Armenia and Yerevan applied to participate. As part of the program, which launched in May, all participants received professional advice and methodological support to bring their ideas to life.
In accordance with the competition requirements, schools submitted their project packages, including all required documents and photographs, by December 1, 2025. As a result, 13 complete submissions were presented to the Selection Committee for evaluation.
The Selection Committee was composed of representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, as well as local and international organizations, including the UN World Food Programme, the Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute of the Russian Federation (SIFI), the “School Feeding and Child Welfare” Agency, the Fund for Armenian Relief, “Green Lane” NGO, and the “Armenia Tree Project” charitable foundation.
Contest Winners
In “The Best School Mini Garden" nomination the winners are:
In "The Best Windowsill Garden" nomination the winner is Neghots Basic School after Artur Bekjanyan (260 points)
The Selection Committee also awarded:
The first-place school in the “Best School Mini Garden” nomination will receive a grant of 3,000 USD. The schools that took 2-5 places will receive equipment for their school canteens.
In addition, the organizers introduced special awards for regular participants - schools that have taken part in the contest over the past years and have demonstrated consistent commitment to the development of school gardens.
The award ceremony of the competition will bring together the participating schools, competition organizers, representatives of authorities and students to recognize and celebrate the dedication, creativity, and achievements of all project participants.
The “Best School Mini Garden in Armenia” competition is a key component of the School Meals program. It aims to develop school gardens, enriching students’ diets with fresh local produce and imparting organic farming and sustainable land use skills to them.
This initiative, which began in 2021, has already become an annual tradition. It not only enriches school diets with fresh local produce, but also educates a new generation that cares for nature and is equipped with agricultural skills.
The 2025 contest was held under the theme “Guardian of Our School Garden ”, encouraging students to combine creativity, environmental responsibility, and teamwork. Participating schools were asked to create symbolic guardian-talismans for the garden, develop their story, and design the gardens with the idea of harmony with nature. According to the idea, the guardian of the garden embodies harmony with nature, “helping” the growth of plants. The participants not only invented the stories of their heroes and thematically designed the gardens, but also made these talismans the core of the activities of school agro-groups.
The competition was conducted in two main categories:
- Best School Mini Garden – for open school premises;
- Best Windowsill Garden – using enclosed spaces and windowsills).
A total of 24 schools from six marzes of the Republic of Armenia and Yerevan applied to participate. As part of the program, which launched in May, all participants received professional advice and methodological support to bring their ideas to life.
In accordance with the competition requirements, schools submitted their project packages, including all required documents and photographs, by December 1, 2025. As a result, 13 complete submissions were presented to the Selection Committee for evaluation.
The Selection Committee was composed of representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, as well as local and international organizations, including the UN World Food Programme, the Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute of the Russian Federation (SIFI), the “School Feeding and Child Welfare” Agency, the Fund for Armenian Relief, “Green Lane” NGO, and the “Armenia Tree Project” charitable foundation.
Contest Winners
In “The Best School Mini Garden" nomination the winners are:
- Lanjaghbyur Secondary School after V.Adamyan (Gegharkunik marz) (347 points)
- Nor Geghi Secondary School N2 after Yu.Yeritsyan (Kotayk marz) (334 points)
- Tsakqar Secondary School (Gegharkunik marz) (327 points)
In "The Best Windowsill Garden" nomination the winner is Neghots Basic School after Artur Bekjanyan (260 points)
The Selection Committee also awarded:
- Encouraging prize for the 4th place Vanadzor Basic School N23 after Tsovakal Isakov (309 points)
- Encouraging prize for the 5th place Gegharkunik Secondary School (Gegharkunik marz) (306 points)
The first-place school in the “Best School Mini Garden” nomination will receive a grant of 3,000 USD. The schools that took 2-5 places will receive equipment for their school canteens.
In addition, the organizers introduced special awards for regular participants - schools that have taken part in the contest over the past years and have demonstrated consistent commitment to the development of school gardens.
The award ceremony of the competition will bring together the participating schools, competition organizers, representatives of authorities and students to recognize and celebrate the dedication, creativity, and achievements of all project participants.
The “Best School Mini Garden in Armenia” competition is a key component of the School Meals program. It aims to develop school gardens, enriching students’ diets with fresh local produce and imparting organic farming and sustainable land use skills to them.
This initiative, which began in 2021, has already become an annual tradition. It not only enriches school diets with fresh local produce, but also educates a new generation that cares for nature and is equipped with agricultural skills.