2007-2009

Supported by the European Union, the ICHD, in partnership with the British Council and Migration Agency of Armenia, have considerably contributed into enhancing policy and institutional frameworks of migration management in Armenia. The partners implemented the “Support to migration policy development and relevant capacity building in Armenia” project anchored at three-pillar strategy aiming at policy dialogue, public awareness and reintegration assistance to returnees. It is not a secret, that the interagency coordination and cooperation have been quite weak in this area for many years.

2008 - ongoing

The priorities of preventing gender based violence (GBV) and promoting equal opportunities yet to be mainstreamed and incorporated into the policies of the Republic of Armenia. Therefore, it is crucial to shape adequate demand both among the general public and capacities of the decision makers and public service providers on this matter.

Since September 2008 ICHD leads a Consortium of civil society organizations striving to develop an environment conducive for the elimination of gender-based violence in Armenia and to implement the country’s commitments in this area. The ICHD’s partners in Consortium have been Association of Women with University Education (AWUE), Tatev-95 Psychological Support and Counseling Center (Tatev-95), and Scientific Association of Medical Students of Armenia (SAMSA). The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Armenia funded the initiative of the Consortium partners on combating gender-based violence in Armenia since 2008. The country office of the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) in Armenia have supported Consortium in engaging the refugees and refugee victims of GBV.

2001-2005

ICHD consistently focuses on promoting local democracy and developing the institute of local governance in Armenia through addressing various dimensions, including strengthening capacities of local governance institutions, raising public awareness on the scope and powers of local institutions, as well as promoting participation of the community residents in the local decision making.

Armenia has established fundamental democratic institutions since its independence. Armenia’s local self-government is clearly defined by the legislation, instituting representative and executive bodies in each of about 930 communities. However, the local democracy in the country remains the Achilles hill of the democratic transformations in the country. Despite to consistent efforts of the Government of Armenia, development partners and civil society, the local democratic governance does not show much progress for several years. The weak capacities of the local governance bodies to deliver public services to the community residents remains one of the major obstacles hindering development of the local democracy and the institute of the local governance in Armenia. Indicatively, the level of satisfaction of citizens with the scope and quality of services delivered by the local governance bodies is rather low.