Democracy & Governance
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Armenia’s uneven progress in its transition to a democratic state and the political crisis following the flawed 2008 presidential elections make Governing Justly and Democratically a clear priority for assistance. The USAID Mission to Armenia is working with civil society, alternative media, local government, women and youth, and reformers within the Government of Armenia to promote democratic governance. USAID’s democracy/governance programs will take a more “active citizen” approach to democracy development, focusing on developing the “demand” for political responsiveness, which will open new opportunities to engage with political parties and government, institutions to build their capacity to respond on the “supply” side.
Major accomplishments to date include:
- Local governments in 38 cities have improved services, including strengthened institutional management systems, fiscal oversight and independence, and increased public accessibility and accountability.
- Civil society groups achieved improved their capacity to provide policy advice and serve as watchdogs, and have strengthened their financial viability and the legal and regulatory framework for NGOs operations.
- Independent print and broadcast media has increased its financial viability and the professionalism of journalists.
- The capacity of the Prosecutor General to investigate and prosecute complex cases in compliance with Council of Europe and other international rule of law standards has been strengthened.
- A new Judicial Code has been adopted incorporating many of the 2005 constitutional reforms that establishes new courts and court jurisdictions, and improves judicial selection, judicial education and judicial discipline.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES
The Youth and Community Action Program (YCAP) (09/2004-09/2009, $3.4m) is aimed at increasing citizen activism and volunteerism to tackle problems that local communities identify themselves. The initiative has helped organize youth clubs and community action committees in 80 smaller towns and villages across Armenia. YCAP also supports internet connectivity for all the clubs to enhance networking, information-sharing and access to alternative sources of information. [Implemented by Academy for Educational Development]
Mobilizing Action Against Corruption (MAAC) (07/2007-07/2010, $6.4m) is (1) assisting citizens with legal aid through Advocacy and Assistance Centers in each of Armenia’s 11 marzes; (2) supporting anti-corruption efforts of selected government agencies - Chamber of Control, the Human Rights Defender, and the Anti-Corruption Strategy Monitoring Commission; (3) working with civil society to mobilize action against corruption, and (4) increasing public awareness. [Implemented by Casals & Associates, Inc.]
The Freedom of Information Center (FOICA) (04/2008-04/2010, $248K) monitors compliance with the 2003 Freedom of Information Law and promotes citizens’ awareness of their rights under the law through: (1) training of local government representatives and civic groups, (2) media outreach, (3) regular publication and distribution of the bulletin “You Have a Right to Know”; (4) publication of FOI manuals for civil servants, journalists and citizens; and (5) free legal counseling to citizens and community organizations in all 11 regions.
Rule of Law Development Program (05/2000-09/2009, $7.9m) seeks to promote the rule of law through: (1) increased knowledge of European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decisions; (2) greater knowledge and professionalism among lawyers in Armenia, so that they may better represent clients, and (3) reform of the legal education system through four legal clinics in Yerevan, Gyumri, Gavar, and Yerevan universities, [Implemented by American Bar Association/Rule of Law Initiative]
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| The USAID/CMSP loan helped the owner of a printing house in Lori region to obtain a color printing press, increasing firm’s product quality and business volume by offering print services to other media outlets. |
The Core Media Support Program (CMSP) (09/2004-09/2009, $5.8m) assists targeted media outlets to (1) receive and repay loans, (2) improve their profitability and expand their audience, (3) improve the professionalism of their product, (4) diversify programming and provide relevant information to respond to the public’s interest; and (5) consolidate the media market through forming and strengthening networks. [Implemented by IREX]
Local Government Program, Phase 3 (09/2005-09/2009, $7.3m) is building the financial management and service delivery capacity of local governments through (1) legislative reforms empowering decentralization, and (2) assistance to 38 cities to improve their fiscal, administrative, and local revenue-generation capacity. [Implemented by Research Triangle Institute]
Political Parties and Election Support Program (09/2005-04/2009, $6.3m) The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is working to improve the ability of political parties to participate in parliamentary and presidential elections through non-partisan trainings in message development, outreach, and internal administration. The Institute also seeks to empower youth and women within party structures and helps women enter politics through support for a network of women political leaders. NDI assists local organizations monitor elections. The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is working to strengthen electoral processes through support for Voters Lists Advisory Committees and through dissemination of information necessary for proper election administration.
Civic Advocacy Support Program (CASP) (09/2004-04/2010, $9.7m) is building the capacity of non-governmental organizations to analyze and articulate constituency needs and contribute to policy reform through advocacy. [Implemented by Counterpart International, Inc]
FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Alternative media: USAID will launch a new activity to promote “Alternative Media Content” or information and views missing in mainstream Armenian media. The activity is planned to have three components: 1) production and distribution of alternative content; 2) promotion of media literacy; and 3) legal advocacy and monitoring.
Civil society: USAID plans to start a new Civil Society activity to further enhance the capacity of civil society groups to provide policy advice and serve as watchdogs, to ensure their sustainability, and to advocate for improvements to the legal and regulatory framework for NGOs.
Rule of law: USAID’s new program will focus primarily on a) increasing knowledge of European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decisions; and b) application of case law in light of ECHR; d) increasing the defense bars capability to represent their clients in the court; and e) improving the quality of legal education.
Parliamentary Assistance: USAID is planning to cooperate with at least one leading parliamentary committee on institutional development and public outreach reform. Assistance will also target selected staff members who provide services to the committees.
Political Processes: USAID will enhance the capacity of citizens to organize and engage proactively in political processes and assist local-level political party and issue-oriented civic organizations in establishing links with similar local organizations throughout Armenia and expand active civil society monitoring.
