Back “Support to comprehensive local self-government reform and enhanced resilience of local communities”, objectives set for the next six months of the DDDGGA Project

“Support to comprehensive local self-government reform and enhanced resilience of local communities”, objectives set for the next six months of the DDDGGA Project

On November 9th the Council of Europe Project Democratic Development, Decentralisation and Good Governance in Armenia- Phase II held its second Steering Committee Meeting.

Ms. Claudia Luciani, Director of Human Dignity, Equality and Governance recalled Council of Europe support to Armenia in addressing the urgent needs of Karabakh Armenians who have fled the region as well as the Organization’s overall support to the definition of a new legal framework on local self-government in line with Council of Europe standards.

The Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Vache Terteryan thanked the Council of Europe for its support to Armenia, noting the recent visits by Special Representative of Secretary General on Migration and Refugees, and the Commissioner for Human Rights – both of whom he had met. He underlined that recent reforms had been achieved with the assistance of the Council of Europe and noted the recent adoption of the Concept of Decentralisation policy paper.

In supporting Armenia on its path toward further decentralisation, the main goals for the next six months of DDDGGA project relate to i) continuing preparations for the proposed new draft law, including organizing a Peer Review to address fiscal decentralization aspects of the new provisions; ii) the building of resilience strategies (ReBus) for frontline communities and supporting their effective response to the most immediate needs of Karabakh Armenians displaced in the concerned marzes and iii) implementation of capacity building at the local level, including the Leadership Academy  Programme (LAP) on cross-border cooperation.

Participants from civil society organizations and local communities have identified the challenges of not only providing short-term solutions to the immediate needs of refugees but also offering opportunities for professional development and integration into the local economy for Karabakh Armenians.

The meeting was organised in the context of the Democratic Development, Decentralisation and Good Governance in Armenia – Phase II (DDDGGA) project, implemented in the context of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia with funding from Austrian Development Cooperation.

Yerevan, Armenia 14/11/2023
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Start date: December 2022

Duration: 37 months

Budget: 1 100 000 EUR

Donor: Austrian Development Cooperation

Partners: RoA Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, local authorities in Armenia, local government associations, civil society organisations

Contact Person: Ms Ani Dallakyan, Senior Project Officer

The Project “Democratic Development, Decentralisation and Good Governance in Armenia – Phase II” aims 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 seeks 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. 

It is expected that as a result of the Project:

  • 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.