ICHD experts and assessment team participated in a one-day orientation meeting on administering focus group and interview questionnaires prepared by Counterpart International's CSLGS Program on May 26 in Vedi and on June 6 in Yerevan.ICHD supported by Counterpart International is conducting local government institutional assessment in 41 partner communities in June 2011. Counterpart International is a main implementer of USAID’s four-year civil society and local government project with the main objective to increase the level of informed and organized civic activism at the local and national levels, along with more participatory, decentralized, efficient and accountable local governance that leads to a more democratic society. Counterpart’s methodology includes grant and funding programs in combination with various capacity building and technical assistance activities, which support the development of long term capacity and financial sustainability of Armenian local government and civil society organizations as well as building bridges for mutual dialogue and initiatives.