30+ representatives of local authorities and civil society organisations gathered online today to discuss draft guidelines on “Organising and Implementing Community Economic Activities.” The draft guidelines have been prepared in order to promote compliance with Article 9 of the European Charter of Local Self-Governance in Armenia. They have been developed on the basis of the relevant appendices of CM/Rec(2005)1 on the financial resources of local and regional authorities and of CM/Rec(2004)1 on the financial and budgetary management at local and regional levels.

The meeting offered key stakeholders an opportunity to contribute to the policy-making process. Participants noted that the guidelines would help clarify the legal framework for Community economic activities and welcomed the electronic budget management tool that has been developed in connection with the guidelines. Acknowledging the need to ensure the gender dimension is addressed, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure invited participants to share any further observations on the proposals in writing by mid-March.

This Community Consultation meeting was organised in the context of the Democratic Development, Decentralisation and Good Governance in Armenia project of the Centre of Expertise for Good Governance, implemented in the context of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia and funded by the Austrian Development Agency.