Back Call for Local Authorities in Armenia to recommend revisions to the Law on Local Duties and Fees

Call for Local Authorities in Armenia to recommend revisions to the Law on Local Duties and Fees

Local authorities in Armenia need adequate financial resources of their own, part of which should be derived from the collection of local duties and fees, in line with Article 9 of the European Charter of Local Self-Government.  In preparation for a revision of the Law on Local Duties and Fees, local government stakeholders met in Yerevan and online at the 9th Community Consultation meeting to discuss priority areas for improvement to the legislation that would help local authorities develop greater financial autonomy.

An extensive survey of 71 municipalities was undertaken in preparation for the meeting, resulting in 37 questions and recommendations being submitted for consideration.  Contributions addressed issues ranging from practical challenges related to road construction works, or the installation of solar photovoltaic panels to enforcement and compliance measures for non-payment of dues for essential veterinary services.

Participants warned against the risks over over-regulating and stressed that, in order to promote local autonomy, local authorities should be granted sufficient discretion in setting fees and compensation for services to respond to local specificities.  One representative underlined the importance of having open and transparent procedures for granting exemptions to avoid corruption risks for local officials.

Welcoming the exchange, the Head of Local Self-Government Policy Department at the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Mr Ashot Giloyan, called on local authorities to share further recommendations and suggestions to help inform the preparation of legislative amendments. 

The topic will be raised again at the next Community Consultation meeting organised under the Democratic Development, Decentralisation and Good Governance in Armenia - Phase 2 project,  implemented by the Centre of Expertise for Good Governance at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities as part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026 with funding from Austrian Development Co-operation.

The project 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 fulfil the competences and deliver the services entrusted to them under the decentralisation strategy. 

 

YEREVAN, ARMENIA 8 APRIL 2024
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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.