PROJECTS //
Enhancing Local Governance and Local Democracy
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.
Enhancing the capacities of the local governments
Supported by the Armenian Social Investment Fund (ASIF), ICHD trained over 830 representatives of the local government in four regions of Armenia (Shirak, Lori, Kotayk and Armavir) in 2001-2004. ICHD and ASIF have enhanced through the project the skills of mayors, members of community councils, municipal servants in community development mid-term planning, preparation and management of community budgets. ICHD’s training improved the understanding of local government representatives on basic concepts of tax legislation and contributed towards improved local tax collection. The training also enhanced their knowledge and skills in community asset management.
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Transferring Asset-Mapping Skills to Young People in Karakert community
The integrated community development initiatives have been first ever genuinely piloted in Karakert village (Armavir region). A number of major development partners have agreed to distillate the community development assistance efforts in a way to ensure that all dimensions are addressed including reconstruction of physical and social infrastructures, development of skills, improving awareness of the residents, etc. Within the scope of this approach, the USAID funded Youth and Community Action Program (YCAP), implemented by Academy for Educational Development (AED), Junior Achievement of Armenia (JAA), aimed at increasing civic activism among young women and men, as well as enhancing community involvement in public affairs.
In 2005, by the YCAP request, ICHD conducted training for 20 young women and men of Karakert in asset mapping. The ICHD’s training equipped the young leaders of Karakert community with the knowledge and skills in asset mapping model and associated tools to initiate a change process. The young leaders also became aware of social capital concept. ICHD’s intervention has fostered teamwork and leadership in youth, as well as facilitated and supported the development of participants’ draft action plans.
NEWS
15.03.2021
Call for Expert on Conducting a Mapping of the International Development Cooperation and Coordination of the Partners Supporting the Parliament
This announcement is available only in Armenian.
15.03.2021
Call for Expert on Policy Communication and Instruments
This announcement is available only in Armenian.
09.03.2021
“Green light” for environmentally neutral business development from Lisbon to Vladivostok
On March 3, 2021, the first meeting of the GreenDeal Task Force created under the Initiative Lisbon-Vladivostok was held. In the videoconference format, more than twenty authoritative experts in the field of ecology and business from Austria, Armenia, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Russia, France, as well as the representatives of the largest business industry associations supporting the Initiative Lisbon-Vladivostok, discussed common approaches to harmonizing the activities implemented by the EU and the EAEU on the path to sustainable development, including a radical reduction in greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere by 2050.
more >>LATEST PUBLICATIONS
28.03.2024
Town Hall Meeting within ACE in Vayk
On January 30, 2024 ICHD organized the first Town Hall Meeting within ACE in Vayk consolidated community, comprising 17 rural and urban settlements, in close collaboration with the local government, "Solution Hub" NGO and their beneficiaries, active young people from the community. The results are summarized in the THM report available in Armenian only.