Women in Alaverdi Give Energy Efficiency the Green Light

In Alaverdi, change is being driven by women—quietly, persistently, and with a clear vision for the future.

At the center of this transformation is Karine Simonyan, a dynamic leader within the Alaverdi municipality. Deeply familiar with the everyday challenges faced by residents, she doesn’t just identify problems—she designs solutions. Together with her small but dedicated team, Karine develops local initiatives that aim to improve quality of life and support sustainable development.

Her work is closely linked to the UNDP–GCF “De-risking and Scaling-up Investments in Energy Efficient Building Retrofits” project focused on reducing investment risks for energy-efficient building retrofits. As head of the Development Programs and Tourism Department, Karine oversees the successful implementation of the initiative in Alaverdi and supports the operation of the community’s energy management system introduced under the Project.

Detail-oriented and uncompromising about quality, Karine consistently highlights one key factor behind the program’s success: the decisive role of women.

According to her, women in Alaverdi are remarkably well-informed about energy-efficient solutions and clearly understand how these improvements can reshape their living environment.

Interest in energy-efficient renovations has surged, with the municipality receiving more applications than ever before. Most of these requests come directly from residents themselves—many of whom carefully document the condition of their buildings and clearly outline the most urgent needs.

“What’s striking,” Karine notes, “is that most of these applications are signed by women. That tells us something important: women are more proactive and deeply invested in making their homes and surroundings more comfortable.”

Currently, 51 residential and 3 public buildings in the community have already been energy-efficiently retrofitted under the Project, while retrofit works are ongoing in an additional 16 residential and 3 public buildings.

Women in Alaverdi are not simply responding to a trend. They are actively seeking warmer homes, lower utility bills, and a more secure future, while also contributing to the reduction of energy poverty and greenhouse gas emissions.

The number of beneficiaries of energy-efficient retrofits in the community totals 25,500, of whom 54% are women.

In recent months, I honestly can’t recall a single case where a man approached us to learn more about the program,” Karine says with a smile. “Women tend to think further ahead when it comes to these issues.”

Their influence extends far beyond the household. Women in Alaverdi play a vital role in community life and are actively involved in decisions affecting not only their families, but also their buildings, neighborhoods, and the city as a whole.

“As women are usually the ones managing daily life and family budgets, they naturally prioritize thermal comfort at home,” Karine explains. “They want their children to be healthier, their families to live in a comfortable, stable environment.”

There is also a powerful economic dimension to energy-efficient renovations. Lower energy costs mean real savings—and those savings matter. Karine observes that women often reinvest this extra money in themselves: personal care, clothing, and well-being. The result is not only financial relief, but also improved mood, confidence, and family dynamics.

“In this sense, saving energy also creates happiness,” she says. “It helps build a healthier atmosphere within families. This is especially important for women in smaller communities, where employment opportunities are limited and any financial relief can make a real difference.”

In Alaverdi, energy efficiency is more than a technical upgrade—it is a social shift. And women are leading the way, giving a clear green light to a more sustainable, comfortable, and hopeful future.

Source: https://www.undp.org/armenia