Democracy & Governance

democratic governance Through its programs in the areas of anti-corruption, local governance, rule of law, alternative media, and parliamentary assistance, USAID is working with civil society and reformers within the Government of Armenia to help create opportunities that will advance the country’s democratic reform both at the local and national levels.

Based on an “active citizen” approach to democratic development, USAID is broadening efforts to foster greater citizen participation at the grassroots level and strengthening advocacy NGOs by providing core funding, advocacy grants and tailored technical assistance. USAID also assists the Armenian government and political parties to be more responsive to citizens’ needs and expectations as well as supports advocacy efforts and independent media to ensure that alternative points of view are raised and introduced into the decision-making process. In addition, USAID fosters participation of youth and women in the political process and works with government institutions to fight corruption and create a professional and independent judiciary.

CURRENT ACTIVITIES

Civil Society and Local Government Support Program (CSLGP) aims to increase the level of informed and organized civic activism at the local and national levels, along with more participatory, decentralized, accountable governance that leads to a more democratic society. The project will reach this objective through three programmatic components: (1) local government and civil society collaboration, (2) fostering civic participation, advocacy and activism, and (3) facilitating decentralization and local fiscal autonomy.

Sep 2010-Sep 2014, $15.5m, Implemented by Counterpart International

Support to Armenia-Turkey Rapprochement Project aims to support Armenia-Turkey rapprochement through developing new business partnerships and regional professional networks; engaging civil society in alliance-building to further contribute to Armenia-Turkey normalization; and supporting government and non-government efforts toward rapprochement with research.

Sep 2010-Sep 2012, $2.4m. Implemented by Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF) in consortium with Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia (UMBA), Yerevan Press Club (YPC), and International Center for Human Development (ICHD)

Assistance to the Network of Advocacy and Assistance Centers: The project will develop and support the existing National Advocacy and Assistance Centers (AACs) Network, initially established by the USAID Mobilizing Action Against Corruption (MAAC) project (2007-2011). The project will help address corruption-related complaints from citizens who are victimized by corruption, as well as build the local institutional capacity to address corruption. The network of 11 AACs is operated by the Armenian Young Lawyers’ Association (AYLA), the Armavir Development Center (ADC) and the Gegharkunik Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).

Aug 2011-July 2015, $2.4m. Implemented by Armenian Young Lawyers' Association (AYLA).

Rule of Law Development Program core programmatic objectives include: (1) increasing the judiciary’s knowledge of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR); (2) enhancing the institutional capacity of the Independent Bar Association; (3) improving the quality of legal education; and (4) fostering an effective environment for human rights protection.

May 2009-May 2013, $2.0m. Implemented by RIGHTS Consortium / Freedom House, Inc.

The Access to Information for Community Involvement program focuses on (1) training of public officials, local government representatives and civic groups on freedom of information, (2) media outreach to inform and update the public and the government on freedom-of-information issues in Armenia, (3) production of a freedom-of-information (FOI) website; (4) Improving mechanisms for proactive publication of government-held information; and (5) free legal counseling to citizens and community organizations on FOI.

April 2008-April 2013, $548,000. Implemented by The Freedom of Information Center (FOICA)

Political Process Development in Armenia program targets party building and civic advocacy with an issue-based, bottom-up approach that is focused on developing the “demand” for political responsiveness and empowering youth and women. NDI builds the skills of local political party organizations and community-based activists; supports the emergence of new “agents of change” at the local level; promotes greater responsiveness among political and civic groups to citizens’ interests at the local and national levels; and facilitates more government outreach to opposition groups and citizens.

Jan 2009-July 2013, $2.2m. Implemented by CEPPS Consortium / The National Democratic Institute (NDI)

Election Process Support program assists Armenia’s electoral institutions and major stakeholders in achieving their reform objectives through an inclusive and transparent process, guided by the application of international standards and lessons learned. IFES activities aim to improve Armenia’s voter registration system and insulate it from abuse, assist Armenia’s electoral institutions and stakeholders in the development of critical legal and procedural improvements in the area of election administration reform, strengthen the political will to change Armenia’s election culture, and work toward campaign finance reform.

April 2009-April 2013, $3.1m. Implemented by CEPPS Consortium / The International Foundation for Elections Systems (IFES)

Monitoring of 2012 Parliamentary and 2013 Presidential Elections, and Monitoring of Elected Bodies’ Activities - The purpose of the project is to ensure transparency of electoral practices for the upcoming major elections in 2012 and 2013. It’s Your Choice will monitor both Parliamentary and Presidential Elections, educate first-time voters through mock elections, monitor elected bodies’ activities, and expand IYC’s organizational capacity.

July 2011-July 2014, $800,000. Implemented by It’s Your Choice (IYC)

The Alternative Resources in Media (ARM) project is aimed at (1) supporting production and dissemination of alternative content though multiple high- and low-tech platforms; (2) building consumer demand for news and information at local and regional levels by promoting media literacy, critical analysis, and use of the latest and most useful web and mobile-based media applications’ and (3) encouraging timely, concerted public advocacy by NGOs, think tanks and citizens on specific key media-related issues.

July 2010-June 2014, $4m. Implemented by Internews Network, in partnership with Internews Media Support NGO, Yerevan Press Club and Eurasia Partnership Foundation

Monitoring of 2012 Parliamentary and 2013 Presidential Elections, and Monitoring of Elected Bodies’ Activities - The purpose of the project is to ensure transparency of electoral practices for the upcoming major elections in 2012 and 2013. It’s Your Choice will monitor both Parliamentary and Presidential Elections, educate first-time voters through mock elections, monitor elected bodies’ activities, and expand IYC’s organizational capacity.

July 2011-July 2014, $800,000. Implemented by It’s Your Choice (IYC)

Support to the Armenian National Assembly Program (SANAP) provides technical assistance and works with committees and staff in the Armenian Parliament to improve internal legislative procedures, support institutional checks and balances through enhanced accountability and responsiveness, and ensure better public outreach.

Sep 2012-Sep 2016, $4.3m. Implemented by Tetra Tech ARD

Production and Broadcast of Pre-Election TV Series - the project supports the production and broadcast of a series of TV programs to increase citizens’ awareness of their rights and duties as voters and thereby contribute to a more informed citizenry who participate in Armenia’s 2012 parliamentary and 2013 presidential elections.

Mar 2012-Feb 2013, $88,000. Implemented by Internews Media Support

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