Sustainable energy, energy security and climate resilience in rural Armenia The updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the Decree on Inter-agency Climate Council adopted by the Government of Armenia (GoA) in 2021 define the green transition and climate resilience as the strategic priorities for Armenia and appoint the Deputy Prime Minister to manage the climate related policy. In line with this policy, the Ministry of Environment builds its activities on the principles of green, resilient and low carbon growth, which entail scalability of adaptation and bankability of mitigation efforts, ranging from reforestation at scale, to investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. By 2030, Armenia¿s target is to reach 15% of solar energy share within the total energy production, and the share of zero-emission power generation in the total to reach 54%. This is in compliance with the European Green Deal principles, which serve as a guidance and ambition scale for Armenia¿s path towards green recovery and sustainable development. Therefore, this Action will work in parallel with the regional EU support to Decarbonisation and Climate Adaptation in Armenia, ultimately aiming to put Armenia on track towards climate neutrality by 2050.This Action builds on the donor mapping and gap analysis carried out in the framework of the High-level Energy Efficiency Initiative at the beginning of 2019, the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) Implementation Roadmap, as well as the list of priority projects of the Government of Armenia. The investment potential for energy efficiency in buildings is estimated to over EUR 3 billion and energy savings could reach up to 60%. The Action is in line with the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme 2021-2027 priorities for Armenia and complements the ongoing work under EU4Climate and EU4Energy as well as the planned Action Document for Supporting Decarbonisation, Climate Resilience and Energy Security in the Eastern Partnership. It supports CEPA implementation, and contributes to the European Green Deal and the commitments taken under the Paris Agreement. The Action aims to alleviate energy poverty, increase energy security and independence, as well as contribute to climate change mitigation and the preservation of natural resources and ecosystem services in Armenia. The action will also contribute to increasing the climate resilience of the rural population by improving access to energy efficiency and sustainable energy solutions. The innovative approaches will be piloted in households, particularly low-income, and community buildings in four rural areas, namely Tavush, Shirak, Gegharkunik and Syunik marzes, where there is overall difficult access to sustainable energy. Some solutions to realise potential energy savings, to increase renewable energy generation, and to reduce dependency on fuel wood or imported fossil energy include, but are not limited to, i) efficient equipment, such as improved heating and cooking stoves in combination with substitution of fuel wood, ii) better insulation of buildings, iii) production of hot water through solar thermal heaters, and iv) photovoltaic-installations. Further energy savings will be achieved through raising public awareness concerning the benefits of energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and changing practices and behaviours among local work force and citizens.