Amid 56 new members of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Local programme, two Armenian communities were selected on 20 October 2020 to join this global group of reformers, namely Vanadzor and Gyumri. The OGP Local aims to support partnerships between local authorities and civil society organisations and promote globally the innovation they’ve demonstrated in making their governments more open, accountable and responsive to citizens.

The joint Vanadzor – Gyumri application arises from their active participation in the work of the Community of practice on political integrity and ethics in local governance established in March 2020 in the framework of the Congress project in Armenia. Their selection for the OGP Local programme will bring multiple benefits, from creating an alliance between this global initiative and members of the Community of Practice in Armenia, to making the impact they have through participating in both platforms sizable, applicable in practice and replicable by other communities across Armenia.

The project "Strengthening the Communities Association of Armenia and Transparent, Participatory Local Governance in Armenia” is implemented by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2019‑2022. The aim of the Project is to improve the quality of local democracy in Armenia through establishing a formal, effective consultation mechanism between the Government and the association of local authorities of Armenia, and enhance citizen’s confidence and trust in local authorities through greater voice, accountability, effectiveness and inclusiveness of the local self-government bodies.

See also:

56 Local Jurisdictions Join Global Partnership to Promote Open Government (in English, French and Spanish)