Back Around fifty mayors took part in a workshop on five-year strategy (2022-2026) of the Communities Association of Armenia

Around fifty mayors took part in a workshop on five-year strategy (2022-2026) of the Communities Association of Armenia

On April 20-21 a workshop on a five-year strategy (2022-2026) and a two-year Action Plan of the Communities Association of Armenia was held in the scope of the project “Strengthening the Communities Association of Armenia and transparent, participatory local self-governance in Armenia”․

The workshop was facilitated by experts from the Foundation for Local Autonomy and Governance (FLAG, Albania) Iain Wilson (England) and Artan Rroji (Albania) and local experts Irina Pahlevanyan and Armine Tukhikyan.

Speaking of the Strategy of the Association, the chairman of the Association, Emin Yeritsyan noted: “The Association has its needs, strategic goals and targets which go in line with the current needs of the communities. Hence, the association should contribute to their realization. In this sense, strategies of the communities and, in general, the sense of promoting common interests is of great importance.”

The Strategy, that is developed with the involvement of the members of the Association, should be considered under the ownership of not only the Association but also of all its members. In his concluding remarks Mr. Yeritsyan thanked the Council of Europe and the Councill of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities for the continuous support in the activities towards strengthening both, the Association and the Communities.

The workshop was concluded with an interactive session during which the mayors expressed their views on the Association vision, mission, and the goals. Suggestions focused on collaboration, innovation, consolidation, and strength concluded the session. There was much determination to work towards unified goals to strengthen the communities, institutional capacities of the Association, which would be capable to influence the central government for the sake of its members, would have strong internal and external relations, quality services and would contribute to sustainable development.

Nune Balyan, Senior Project Officer of “Strengthening the Communities Association of Armenia and Transparent, Participatory Local Self-governance in Armenia” project, presented the key activities implemented by the project. She mentioned the priorities and support that the project is addressing following the territorial administrative reforms. When it comes to the strategy of the Association Ms. Balyan noted: “Members of the Association should monitor the implementation process of the Strategy and act as key implementors.”

Yerevan, Armenia 25/04/2022
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Democratic Development, Decentralisation and Good Governance in Armenia

Start date: January 2019
Duration: 36 months
Budget: 1 500 000 EUR
Donor: Austrian Development Cooperation
Partners: Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, local authorities in Armenia, local government associations, civil society organisations
 

The Project “Democratic Development, Decentralisation and Good Governance in Armenia” aimed at supporting democratic consolidation by developing effective, accountable and transparent local government bodies, promoting good governance principles, and fostering inclusive participation and equal opportunities for women in political decision-making across mutually reinforcing lines of action. The specific objectives of the Project were to strengthen the legal framework for local democracy in Armenia based on European standards; develop the capacities of local institutions and officials; promote local ownership and sustainable outcomes; and promote respect for principles of good governance and public administration.

It was expected that as a result of the Project:

  • Legal and policy advice provided to the Government of Armenia and local authorities will ensure that the legislative, institutional and fiscal framework for local democracy is improved in line with European standards through inclusive participation and equal representation.
  • Capacity-development of local authorities will contribute to more efficient and effective structures, improved transparency and accountability, and the inclusive participation of women, youth and poor / disadvantaged groups in relevant decision-making processes.
  • Capacity-development of local authorities and provision of start-up grants will lead to the establishment of inter-community unions that provide improved services to citizens.
  • Benchmarking of standard municipal services and local finances will lead to improved financial management and increased fiscal autonomy of municipalities.
  • Enhanced understanding and application of good governance principles will strengthen institutional structures at local level. Particular attention will be paid to public ethics, equality between women and men, human resource management.

Developing Democracy through Community Projects, 2022