Action plan – Armavir, Armenia, 2022 – 2025

At-a-Glance

Duration

Dec 2025

Date Submitted

2nd December 2022

Foreword(s)

The Government of Armenia joined the Open Government PartnershipThe Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multi-stakeholder initiative focused on improving government transparency, ensuring opportunities for citizen participation in public matters, and strengthen... More (OGP) enterprise in 2011 and already presented its first action plan in 2012. Within this enterprise, 4 action plans were implemented. In 2018, the 2018-2020 program of action of the OGP-Armenia, the commitments of which are quite ambitious and transformative. Local government reforms have always been at the center of attention of the agenda of the Open Government Program. The principles of democracy, effective governance, reduction of corruption, and participatory governance were not only important for the executive, but also the legislative and local circles. In 2020, the Secretariat of the Open Government Program-Armenia started meetings and discussions with the Ministry of Territorial Management and Infrastructure and representatives of large communities.  In 2022, the Municipalities of Yerevan and Armavir applied for membership within the framework of OGP and joined the Local OGP.

Meetings with the participation of civil society partners and international organizations started in March. With the support of the Yerevan office of the Council of Europe, expert assistance was provided in the direction of filling in the application for applying to the Local OGP process and developing the priorities and project of the action plan. People in charge from community and CS organizations were appointed. Tamara Sharoyan was appointed the contact person of the Armavir municipality, and Naira Arakelyan and Ani Harutyunyan were appointed as representatives of the CSO.  Through regular online meetings in June, the stakeholders agreed to cooperate and invest efforts to form an effective dialogue and develop the local action plan together.

Participatory approaches were highlighted as a result of discussions.

At the stage of forming recommendations, 2 main directions were proposed: the introduction of the integrity system and the participatory budget mechanism.

Open Government Challenges, Opportunities and Strategic Vision

This subsection details the Open Government Strategic Vision in your local area that should guide the commitments for the action plan period.

What is the long-term vision for open government in your context and jurisdiction?

After the adoption of the Local Open Government Program, the Armavir municipality will form a working group that will support public discussions on the implementation of the municipality’s commitments, organize educational processes, organize awareness campaigns of specific commitments in the community, carry out monitoring, and involve other partners. Civil society partners and other organizations can organize and form an independent monitoring mechanism to initiate, implement, ensure participation and make suggestions for the next steps of the Local-OGP process.

What are the achievements in open government to date (for example, recent open government reforms)?

Armavir is one of the largest communities in Armenia. It includes 1 city and 10 villages.  The introduction of democratic, fair, and participatory mechanisms at the local level is on the list of priorities of the Armavir municipality. It contributes to the improvement of the transparencyAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, transparency occurs when “government-held information (including on activities and decisions) is open, comprehensive, timely, freely available to the pub... More of the local governing body and ensures the progress of participation processes through constructive cooperation with all stakeholders. When starting the membership of the Local-OGP and developing the local action plan  the existing resources of the community, obligations, local characteristics, the current economic and political situation of the country, as well as the forecasts of upcoming developments have been taken into account. The five-year development plan is a guideline for the development and advancement of the community. Based on the program and activities, the budget is approved. Often the redistribution or the reduction of the budget or the increase of allocations for some activities are not deeply understood by the community population, and there is no available platform for providing accessible and comprehensive information. Therefore, transparency of policies and strategic programs and information provided on time will contribute to the transparency of policy development and implementation.

What are the current challenges/areas for improvement in open government that the jurisdiction wishes to tackle?

Implementation of Integrity system 

The drawback of the system lies in the fact that although the Corruption Prevention Commission has launched exemplary forms of code of conduct, there is still a need to put them into practice and shape them according to community needs. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the scope of implementation of the integrity system and to develop its implementation measures and regulations for both community/civil servants and other stakeholders.

Implementation of Participatory budgeting 

At the core of democratic development is citizens’ confidence in their elected representatives that the latter will address their concerns for the improvement of community life. This is especially important at the community management level, where the efficiency and quality of service delivery are directly felt, and a transparent and accountable decision-making process increases the possibility of social and economic development. The analysis of the current situation shows that there is a low level of participation of citizens at the local level in Armenia, although the necessary prerequisites for participation from a legal point of view are provided. The participation of citizens in the local budgeting process will help the municipal authorities to be more informed and make more effective decisions.

General challenge:

• Ensuring widely and wisely participation/civic engagement is one of the main challenges for improvement in open government.

What are the medium-term open government goals that the government wants to achieve?

Implementation of Integrity system 

Develop a conceptual document for the integrity system. With the Ministry of Territorial Management and Infrastructures, the suggestions regarding the integrity system of the Armavir Municipality (ethics commissions, organizers of integrity issues, incompatibility requirements of municipal staff, other restrictions, the prohibition of receiving gifts, the application of conflict of interest regulations) are brought out and discussed by the Ministry at the legislative and operational level.

The implementation process of the ethics commission, the institute of organizers on integrity issues ensures the development of the model for the organization of their activities, the organization of the activities of the commissions, the appointment of the organizers on integrity issues, and the definition of the scope of activities, taking into account the characteristics of the structure’s activity at the community level.

Implementation of Participatory budgeting 

Through the implementation of participatory budgeting, promote direct participation of residents in community decision-making process, community budget planning and management, increase trust in local self-government bodies and citizens’ civic responsibility.

How does this action plan contribute to achieve the Open Government Strategic Vision?

Implementation of Integrity system 

Establishment of an institutional mechanism for integrity and participation. Ensure equal opportunities and reduce disparities in outcomes, including the elimination of discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting the adoption of appropriate legislationCreating and passing legislation is one of the most effective ways of ensuring open government reforms have long-lasting effects on government practices. Technical specifications: Act of creating or r..., policies and practices in this regard.

Implementation of Participatory budgeting 

Since the municipal budget affects every resident of the community, budget decisions provide a great opportunity for residents to engage in participatory democracy.

How does the open government strategic vision contribute to the accomplishment of the current administration’s overall policy goals?

The establishment of democratic, fair, and participatory mechanisms at the local level has always been one of the main pillars of Armavir Municipality. However, we strongly believe that these developments would be better achieved by Local OGP platform, because the Municipality has a stressed mission to stand closer to the people and ensure transparent, accountable and participatory governance.

To contribute to the accomplishment of the current administration’s overall policy goals, the 1st PLA focuses on:

1. Establishment of an institutional mechanism for integrity and participation.
2. Establishment of mechanisms for participatory budgeting as a form of citizen participationAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, citizen participation occurs when “governments seek to mobilize citizens to engage in public debate, provide input, and make contributions that lead to m... More in which citizens are involved in the process of deciding how public money is spent.

Engagement and Coordination in the Open Government Strategic Vision and OGP Action Plan

Please list the lead institutions responsible for the implementation of this OGP action plan.

• Armavir Municipality
• Ministry of Territorial Development and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia
• Corruption Prevention Commission of the Republic of Armenia
• Armavir Development Center
• Youth Avangard NGO
• Other local CSOs

What kind of institutional arrangements are in place to coordinate between government agencies and departments to implement the OGP action plan?

As part of the decentralization reform of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Armavir has advanced participatory budgeting processes and installed a live broadcast of community council meetings and weekly procedural discussions.

Experience has shown that any innovative project in the city will only be successful if we, as a community, support the implementation of these programs with all the relevant stakeholders and beneficiaries.

Armavir Municipality also actively cooperates with the private sectorGovernments are working to open private sector practices as well — including through beneficial ownership transparency, open contracting, and regulating environmental standards. Technical specificat... in the city and region, establishing community-private sector partnership. As a result, the central park of Armavir has been improved this year, equipped with a modern playground, attractions and a modern cafe.

Holding town hall meetings (public hearing) allowing citizen participation in decision-making processes, particularly designing development programs, community budget, annual work plans, subvention programs, etc.

Proceeding from the city’s potential, experience and motivation, local OGP membership will serve as a ‘legitimization” of the civic activism in Armavir consolidated community and the institutionalized involvement of civil society and citizens.

Joining the local OGP platform, a collaborative learning platform will be developed to provide the city and the citizens working in open local governments with easy access to knowledge resources, learning opportunities, peers and expert networks.

What kind of spaces have you used or created to enable the collaboration between government and civil society in the co-creation and implementation of this action plan? Mention both offline and online spaces.

Community management information system․ Town Hall meetings.

What measures did you take to ensure diversity of representation (including vulnerable or marginalized populations) in these spaces?

Awareness through social platforms, conducting public hearings, face to face meetings.

Who participated in these spaces?

• Civil society organizations, active citizens
• Local and national public administration

How many groups participated in these spaces?

2

How many public-facing meetings were held in the co-creation processCollaboration between government, civil society and other stakeholders (e.g., citizens, academics, private sector) is at the heart of the OGP process. Participating governments must ensure that a dive...?

2

How will government and non-governmental stakeholders continue to collaborate through the implementation of the action plan?

• Periodical meetings with government and non-governmental stakeholders
• Cooperative effort in attracting funds for implementing the PLA
• Periodical monitoring and evaluation

Please describe the independent Monitoring Body you have identified for this plan.

• Armavir Municipality
• Armavir Development Center NGO
• Youth Avangard NGO
• Other civil society organizations

Provide the contact details for the independent monitoring body.

What types of activities will you have in place to discuss progress on commitments with stakeholders?

• Meetings (face-to-face or online) to present achievements
• Developed reports, press-releases
• Open communication to the general public through social media and press release at least once per year

How will you regularly check in on progress with implementing agencies?

Each commitmentOGP commitments are promises for reform co-created by governments and civil society and submitted as part of an action plan. Commitments typically include a description of the problem, concrete action... will have a coordinator within the Multi-stakleholder Forum who will keep in direct contact with each implementing agency/agencies.

How will you share the results of your monitoring efforts with the public?

Implementation of the participatory budgeting electronic subsystem in the community management information system in order to promote citizens’ participation in decision-making process at the local level.

Drafting of guidelines and statutes, drawing up position profiles of organizers on participatory budgeting and on integrity issues and including them as necessary activities in the community action program.

Endorsement from Non-Governmental Stakeholders

• Ani Harutyunyan, Naira Arakelyan, Armavir Development Center NGO

OGP Letter from the Mayor Davit Khudatyan
Proposal submission form Armavir