Democratic Development, Decentralisation and Good Governance in Armenia – Phase II

Back Congress in Armenia: evidence-based policy making at the heart of multilevel governance

Anna SAHAKYAN

Modified 1 Year ago.

Congress in Armenia: evidence-based policy making at the heart of multilevel governance

On 18 February 2025, in Yerevan, Armenia, the presentation of Feasibility Studies on Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC) marked another significant step toward enhancing collaboration between Armenian municipalities. The event reinforced the importance of creating a platform for exchanging best practices, advancing the national debate on IMC, and identifying pilot experiences.

Armenian municipalities presented the results of 11 feasibility studies 2024 to explore sustainable municipal partnerships in key sectors such as waste management, tourism, transport infrastructure management, and water resource management. Three of the 11 projects have already secured financing, while three additional initiatives will be granted financial support from the Council of Europe.

In parallel, the 13^th Community Consultation Initiative meeting, brought together actors and stakeholders to discuss local economic activities and property management of local communities, in the context of preparations for the new Law on Local Self-Government.

These events underscore the crucial role of local communities in shaping public policies and fostering regional cooperation. Actively involving municipalities in legislative discussions and strengthening inter-municipal partnerships, in line with Article 4.6 of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, ensues that local authorities have a say in decisions shaping their future.

Both activities were organised in the framework of ‘’Democratic Development, Decentralisation and Good Governance in Armenia – Phase II’’, implemented by the Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026, with the financial support of the Austrian Development Agency.

YEREVAN, ARMENIA 18 FEBRUARY 2025

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The goal and objective of the project

The Project “Democratic Development, Decentralisation and Good Governance in Armenia – Phase II” aimed to support the adoption of revised legislative framework for local self-government in line with European standards to reflect the new territorial-administrative map of Armenia and develop the capacities of local authorities of newly enlarged communities to ensure they can assume new responsibilities and competences. It also seeked to further raise awareness of good governance principles and promote cross-border co-operation (CBC), inter-municipal co-operation (IMC) and economic development at local level.

Thanks to the project, Armenian citizens will benefit from more inclusive, effective, and resilient institutional structures at local level, which are capable of delivering improved public service and promoting sustainable economic development as a result of an improved legislative framework.

Start date: December 2022

Duration: 37 months

Funding: 1 100 000 EUR

Donor: Austrian Development Cooperation

Contact person: Ms Ani Dallakyan, Senior Project Officer

Who benefits from the project?

Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia
Local authorities in Armenia
Local government associations
Civil society organisations
general public

How did the project work?

Through a combination of tailored policy/legislative actions
capacity building of local authorities of newly enlarged communities
raising awareness of good governance principles
promoting cross-border co-operation (CBC), inter-municipal co-operation (IMC) and economic development at local level.

Achievements

Active and substantive participation of communities and civil society in policy development and local governance processes is ensured.
Local economic development policy is adopted to support financial decentralisation and deliver increased fiscal autonomy at local level.
Revised Law on Local Self-Government and relevant constitutional amendments is adopted in light of stakeholder contribution and in line with European standards.
Improved accessibility to and provision of public service at local level support equal access to resources for women, youth, and vulnerable people.
Start-up grants support the completion of feasibility studies into inter-community cooperation and the establishment of intercommunity arrangements to support shared service delivery.
Start-up grants on cross-border cooperation support the establishment of cross-border economic development initiatives.
Platform for exchange of experience and best practice in inter-municipal cooperation, cross-border cooperation and economic development is established to facilitate peer learning among Communities.