Caucasus Conservation Corps
Building Connections Across the South Caucasus
We are excited to share the progress of the Caucasus Conservation Corps (CCC) as we continue to foster collaboration among participants from Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. In 2024, we revamped our CCC program to create more comprehensive curriculum that combines 50 days of training with 50 days of hands-on work experience. From May to October, 15 participants from all three countries gained theoretical and practical skills in trail building, explored various environmental topics, enhanced their English, and built friendships across borders. To maximize our impact, CCC participants were divided into two cohorts: ne cohort of Georgians and Armenians, and one cohort of Georgians and Azerbaijanis. That allowed us to spread our work throughout the region. This was our first time bringing together youth from all three South Caucasus countries in one program, and we are proud to share the amazing results and the impact of our efforts!
For more information about CCC 2024, click here!
With this story map, we invite you to discover the locations where CCC participants made their mark in 2024!
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Orientation Weeks in Tbilisi, Georgia
The 2024 CCC program kicked off with orientation week in the TCT Tbilisi office, where participants had a chance to connect and bond. Through engaging cultural evenings, they shared their traditions, food, dances, and songs. This time together also allowed participants to learn essential skills such as camp set-up, gear using maintenance, hiking nutrition, Leave No Trace principles, and concepts in trail building and ecotourism.
2
Trail maintenance next to Perevi village
The CCC crew spent the beginning of the season in the lowlands of Georgia, focusing on the Racha–Imereti section. The first crew camped near Perevi village, located right next to the Samachablo occupied area. We cleared 2 km of trail, widened the tread, and cleaned the drainage systems. Here’s Nvard from Armenia getting her hands dirty while clearing the tread of the trail!
3
Geo-Aze crew after work day in Drbo
We set up another campsite near Drbo village on the Racha–Imereti section. This hardworking crew widened an additional 2 km of trail and switchbacks, cleared the drainage systems, and brushed the trail of overhanging branches.
4
Blazing in Drbo
After completing major maintenance work on the Racha–Imereti historical trail, it was time for some blazing! Here are Arzu and Irakli from the Geo-Aze crew marking the section from Drbo village all the way toward beautiful Racha.
Spotting those bright blazes on trails is such a joy!
5
Blazing the alpine meadows of Racha
While the Geo-Aze team worked on blazing one half of the Racha–Imereti section, the Geo-Arm crew blazed the second half of the trail, all the way to Komandeli village. Here’s Ana from Georgia blazing the trail in the stunning alpine meadows of Racha. With no trees in sight, she found rocks to help guide the way!
In total, we blazed 40 km of the Racha–Imereti trail!
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Orientation week in Yerevan, Armenia
After finishing the first part of the training in Georgia, the crews headed to Armenia and Azerbaijan.
In Yerevan, we had a week of theoretical training, focusing on essential skills such as map reading, leadership, effective communication, risk management, and volunteerism. We also enjoyed site tours, which deepened our understanding of our diverse region!
7
Lorut-Ahnidzor trail, Lori region
The Geo-Arm crew’s first work site was in Lori, Armenia where experienced trail builder and trainer Artur led a brief session about work site safety. The crew got to work widening the trail, cutting branches, building ~500 meters of new trail, and adding additional drainage systems.
8
Haghartsin-Hidden waterfall trail, Tavush region
The Geo-Arm crew and Trails for Change NGO team accomplished a range of tasks, including brushing, cutting branches, blazing the trail, building wooden stairs, constructing a retaining wall and switchback, repairing the bridge on the Haghartsin–Hidden Waterfall Trail, and installing blaze poles and signposts.
Here are CCC trainers Papuna and Artur arranging the signposts for future hikers!
9
Apakeqar-Hovk trail, Tavush region
CCC crew members Hrach and Tigran from Armenia work hard on the Apakeqar Trail. Our folks constructed a new 300-meter section from scratch, building a retaining wall and wooden structures, adding switchbacks, and clearing branches and vegetation.
10
Halidzor fortress-Bekh trail and Vahanavank, Syunik region
The Geo-Arm crew also travelled to the south of Armenia and spent two weeks working on the Halidzor Fortress–Bekh Trail and Vahanavank Trail. They completed 3 km of lopping, brushing, and 1.6 km trail widening.
11
Sevan Botanical Garden-Sevan Dream peak trail, Gegharkunik region
On the Sevan Botanical Garden–Sevan Dream Peak Trail, the crew focused on trail building, signposting, installing trailheads and blaze poles, and blazing the trail.
12
Orientation in Baku, Azerbaijan
The first week in Azerbaijan was dedicated to orientation. Here is our program manager Aboo, giving a session about using maps and GPS. The Geo-Aze crew learned about biodiversity in the Caucasus, risk management, effective communication, and leadership. On the fun side, the crew enjoyed city tours led by the Azerbaijani CCC participants,and explored the Caspian Sea and the future eastern terminus of the TCT Georgia–Azerbaijan route!
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Mountain Route Bash, Dashaghil - Oraban Village (eastern part), Oghuz Region
In July, the Geo-Aze crew worked in the Oghuz region of Azerbaijan. They practiced their new skills by working on brushing and blazing 2 km of trail and benching several sensitive areas between Bash Dashaghil and Oraban villages.
This is Giorgi (AKA Adjara) from Georgia benching the tread on the trail.
14
Mountain Route Bash Dashaghil - Oraban Village (western part), Sheki Region
Irma from Georgia and Arzu from Azerbaijan work on clearing and brushing the trail on the way to Oraban village.
The crew also blazed a smaller section of the trail from Bash Dashaghil to Oraban Village, making it more accessible for future hikers.
15
Trail building in Grizdehne (Eh Route)
The Geo-Aze team continued work we began last year on the trail, opening a new 50-meter section and focusing on two switchbacks. They primarily focused on brushing, and they benched 200 meters of trail. Additionally, the crews tried their hands and tools on the rocky surface of a new (beautiful but tough) section!
16
Trail crew at Grizdehne
The Geo-Aze team worked with 8 enthusiastic weekend volunteers who were very excited to be part of our project in the Caucasus. Their energy added a wonderful dynamic to the team!
17
Zeskho-Lapuri pass trail, Georgia
After mastering their skills in the lowlands, both the Geo-Arm and Geo-Aze crews returned to Georgia to continue trail building on the Zeskho–Lapuri section. This area is one of the most remote and challenging parts of the TCT, where we plan, design, and build trails from scratch. Since 2018, with the support of seasonal employees and volunteers from around the world, we’ve made significant progress in making this beautiful section hikeable. However, as shown in the photo, there’s still so much work to be done!
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Trail builders in Zeskho
In 2024, we planned, designed, and built another section of trail up to 1 km, along with several switchbacks. This work will help close the gap between the two mountainous regions of Kvemo Svaneti and Racha in Georgia. In addition to the CCC crews, we had 20 local and international volunteers working alongside us, making this project a true collaborative effort!
19
Geo-Arm crew graduation in Dilijan, Armenia
After a busy, challenging, and productive 100 days, the Geo-Arm crew wrapped up the Caucasus Conservation Corps program in Dilijan, Armenia. With diplomas in hand and friendships that will last a lifetime, the team celebrated their achievements together.
20
Geo-Aze crew graduation in Baku, Azerbaijan
The Geo-Aze crew also celebrated their successful completion of the CCC program! We not only marked the addition of new kilometers of trails in the Caucasus but also cherished the friendships and connections built throughout this adventure.
It was a fantastic way to conclude our regional effort!