+(374) 237 23034 | [email protected]
“Inclusive governance begins the moment every citizen has a voice in the development of their community.
It was with this concept in mind that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently organized a reporting workshop in Yerevan titled “Stocktaking Workshop on Advancing Gender and Inclusion in Participatory Budgeting in Armenia”. The “Armavir Development Center” (ADC) provided significant organizational assistance in the planning and execution of the event, ensuring its smooth progression and the active engagement of all participants.
The workshop brought together representatives of government institutions, international partners, and civil society to review Armenia’s experience with participatory budgeting, discuss achievements and challenges, and outline future directions for strengthening gender equality and inclusion.
The event opened with welcoming remarks by Avetik Darbinyan, Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure; Lilya Afrikyan, Head of the Participation Department of the Prime Minister’s Office; and Luke Fochtman, Deputy Country Director for ADB’s Resident Mission in Armenia
High Level Panel Discussion and Reflections
A high-level panel discussion was held on the topic “Roles, Reflections, and the Road Ahead for Participatory Budgeting in Armenia.”
The discussion was moderated by Arman Azizyan, representative of Armavir Development Center NGO, and Kirsten Zindel, with panelists Lilya Afrikyan (Prime Minister’s Office), Ashot Giloyan (Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure), Tom Landes (GIZ), Olga Azatyan (UN Women), and Zhanna Harutyunyan (UNDP).
Panelists emphasized that participatory budgeting in Armenia is shaping a new culture of governance—one that is open, accountable, and transparent. At the same time, they underlined that the involvement of women, youth, and vulnerable groups must be not merely symbolic but practical and impactful.
Exchange of experiences using the Fishbowl format
The interactive part of the workshop, conducted in a Fishbowl Discussion format, provided an opportunity for exchanging experiences and presenting successes achieved at the local level.
The speakers included Lusine Avalyan (GIZ), Naira Arakelyan (ADC), and Arpine Hakobyan (NGO Center).
In her speech, ADC President Naira Arakelyan emphasized the role of civil society in the community development process, stating:
“The power of a community lies in the participation of its people. When every citizen believes that their voice matters, the community becomes more resilient, equitable, and strong.”
During the discussion, it was also emphasized that the principle of gender equality should become an integral part of the entire budgeting process—from planning to implementation and evaluation.
Action Planning and Next Steps
In the second part of the workshop, working groups were formed to develop practical steps and recommendations aimed at the sustainable development of gender-sensitive and inclusive budgeting.
Participants identified several priority areas:
- Institutional and legal reforms
- Capacity building at the local level
- Implementation of data-driven and transparent monitoring systems
During the closing plenary session, a shared commitment was affirmed: to promote a culture of participatory governance where every citizen—regardless of gender, age, or status—has a voice in shaping the future of their community.
ADC’s Role and Ongoing Commitment
As an experienced organization, ADC supported the Asian Development Bank in all phases of organizing and implementing the event, providing organizational, technical, and communication assistance.
Through its participation, ADC contributed to the effective and high-quality execution of the event, confident that such platforms foster the development of transparent, accountable, and participatory governance in Armenia.
“Inclusive governance begins at the local level—where every voice is heard and every contribution is valued,” noted ADC President Naira Arakelyan.
The Armavir Development Center will continue its support for the development of a participatory and gender-sensitive governance culture, believing that even small changes can have a significant impact on the future of the community.
