Locations
Mary sits with her mother in the colorful locker room at her newly renovated kindergarten in Yerevan, Armenia.
For five-year-old Mary, walking into Yerevan Kindergarten No. 36 every morning is a joyful adventure. Her eyes light up as she talks about her second home – warm and colourful, brightly- lit classrooms, lovely teachers, and endless playtime with her friends. “It’s always nice and bright here,” she says with a smile. “I love my kindergarten because it’s so beautiful and I learn new things every day.”
It’s no wonder Mary loves her kindergarten so much. Originally built in the early 1970s, it was recently reconstructed and transformed into an energy efficient, inviting space – a far cry from the gloomy and outdated building it once was.
Many kindergartens across Yerevan haven’t undergone any significant reconstruction since they were built in Soviet times, making upgrades urgently needed.
Nora Andreasyan, who has worked as a teacher at Kindergarten No. 36 for over 20 years, recalls the conditions. “The previous building had been in disrepair for years – torn parquet floors, a run-down interior, old furniture and toys and no access to hot water. The poor condition of the windows meant we couldn’t retain heat, and we had to cover them with polyethylene film. During winters, the children’s hands would swell from the cold weather.”
The kindergarten before renovations.
But everything has changed now. The building underwent a complete reconstruction and reopened its doors in 2022.
“This past winter, we kept the heating on the lowest setting but the building stayed comfortably warm, thanks to the thermal insulation on the walls.”
A well-renovated kindergarten creates a safe, comfortable, and inclusive environment that fosters children's early development. Yerevan Kindergarten No. 36 is now one such place, a haven for around 300 children, providing them with both the comfort and safety to nurture their excitement for learning.
The newly renovated school.
This transformation was made possible through a collaborative effort between Yerevan Municipality and international partners, including the European Investment Bank, the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership Fund, the Green Climate Fund and UNDP. It’s just part of a broader focus on improving energy efficiency in Armenia. Buildings account for nearly 40 percent of electricity demand and 25 percent of gas consumption in the country. With an energy-saving potential of 40-60 percent across residential, public and commercial buildings, these savings could reduce energy poverty, enhance energy security and improve comfort in homes, kindergartens, polyclinics and schools.
The renovated, bright classrooms also have a positive effect on children’s learning. The transformation is largely due to a newly introduced ventilation system which significantly increased fresh air. According to actual measurements conducted by UNDP in eight kindergartens, CO2 levels previously exceeded the maximum allowed concentration by up to four times. But now, improved air quality makes children less sleepy and more active and fully engaged.
"I have noticed that the learning process has become more engaging and dynamic,” says Ms. Andreasyan. “Children are generally very enthusiastic when they come.”
Mary’s mother, Lusine, has been delighted by the transformation. “My daughter has spent two wonderful years here, and the changes are truly extraordinary. It’s amazing to see that your child is in a pleasant and safe environment, especially during harsh Armenian winters.” She adds that the new facilities have also enriched the children's daily activities, proudly mentioning that the children had recently excelled in a city competition, bringing home the first prize.
Arusyak Aharonyan, the kindergarten’s director, notes that the retrofit has significantly increased the school’s appeal. “Parents are now very selective, especially with many private kindergartens offering modern facilities. It’s important to provide a welcoming space for children at such a young age. We are grateful this reconstruction was possible.”
The partners in this project have joined their efforts – and a combined investment of US$13.5 million – to realise this significant initiative with the Yerevan Municipality. Thus far, 14 kindergartens were retrofitted and renovated, affecting over 3,300 children. But this is just the beginning of a cooperation between UNDP, European Development Bank and Yerevan Municipality. By 2029, another 38 buildings will undergo energy efficiency retrofitting as part of Phase II of the ’Yerevan Energy Efficiency’ project.
Together, the collaboration can go far in advancing energy efficiency in the capital and improving children’s learning conditions.
