As we have already informed the Grants Commission of the “Multi-Faceted Anti-Corruption Promotion” Project finalized the evaluation of the applications submitted for the 3rd round of the Small Grants’ competition announced in the Project framework. 5 projects gathered the minimum required points and have been recognized by the Grants Commission as winners of the 3rd round of the Small Grants competition.

Today, the Armenian Lawyers Association NGO and the winner organizations signed grant contracts. Mr. Karen Zadoyan, the President of Armenian Lawyers Association said in his speech that he organization had organized trainings on the development of monitoring and skills and abilities of CSOs in the framework of “Multi-Faceted Anti-Corruption promotion Project” and that currently it was time to apply those skills.

Mr. Gevorg Manukyan, the President of “Armenian Constitutional Right-Protective Centre” (ACRPC) Non-Governmental Organization, which in cooperation with Editorial Office of “Vanadzoryan Khchankar” (“Vanadzor Mosaic”) Weekly Newspaper will implement the project “Identification of Corruption Risks in Customs Clearance of Imported Cars to Armenia” said in the interview with Iravaban.net noted all the main problems that exist in the sphere. “Often the customs clearance of the vehicles that are imported into the country are carried out in excess of the cost of the bargain, that is they do it applying the method of customs clearance according to the market costs in Armenia. This means that the cost of the imported good is automatically raised just on the border, which has an adverse effect on the financial situation of the individual as well as on the state economy,” Mr. Gevorgyan said.

“ELEGIA” Cultural Non-Governmental Organization from Yerevan shall implement “Monitoring of Anti-Corruption Education and Strengthening Integrity in the Universities of the RA” Project. Mr. Harutyun Aleksanyan, the President of the organization said that they had selected the education sphere, because it is a target area under the anti-corruption strategy program of the Government. Several private and state universities will be selected based on the random choice within the scope of the project and the project will conduct monitoring in these universities. Based on the results the program report will be published.

“Flora” Young Women’s Christian Association Non-Governmental Organization of Gyumri and its partner – “Center of Community Initiatives and Advocacy” Non-Governmental Organization will conduct monitoring of Medical/Sociological Expertise Committee’s (MSEC) functions. “We are going to involve those who faced corruption risks while dealing with this committee. We often hear about such cases when a person is really sick, but in order to certify the disease and verify in documents they are demanded to give money. We shall apply to the corresponding state bodies having the aim to alleviate this situation,” Ms Svetlana Mkrtchyan, the President of “Flora” Young Women’s Christian Association Non-Governmental Organization (YWCA) of Gyumri said.

A project on monitoring acquisition of free medicine, medical accessories and devices will be conducted by the “Democracy and Electoral Processes” International Center Non-Governmental Organization from Yerevan. “The NGO shall conduct a study on the movement of medicine. Specifically the polyclinics receive those from the state and through Humanitarian Aid. Currently they have permission to acquire on their own means. We study how the medicine enter the clinic, and distributed to the beneficiaries (they should be free) and how much medicine remains,” Mr. Anania Maghakyan, the President of “Democracy and Electoral Processes” International Center NGO said.

“Reform and Development” Human Rights Non-Governmental Organization and its partner – “Kantegh” Children’s and Youth Non-Governmental Organization shall implement a “Protection of the Rights of Women with Disabilities in Shirak and Aragatsotn Regions as a Means to curb Corruption in Healthcare Processes.” “The problem here is that the majority does not enjoy the privileges that they shall enjoy. For example, they are included in the lists for resort rehabilitation treatment, but however their turn does not reach. I am aware of some cases when the voucher is provided to the disabled person but another person went to the sanatorium in his place. This means that there is already a corruption risk here,” Mr. Armen Gabrielyan, the President of “Reform and Development” Human Rights NGO concluded.

Iravaban.net