On 14 February, a three-day workshop on Cooperation and Empowerment of CSO Coalitions organised in the framework of the EU-funded “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” (CCD) project was launched in Aghveran.

The Project Manager, President of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association of Mr. Karen Zadoyan mentioned in his welcoming speech that the work and activities of the projects implemented by the nine coalitions which is aimed at the development of the coalition and finding ways for cooperation with other coalitions will be presented and discussed during the workshop.

“As a result of these discussions, at the end of the workshop, we will decide together to have a vision, concept or roadmap for cooperation that will be elaborated and documented,” Karen Zadoyan said.

Mr. Hakob Avagyan, Vice-President of the CCD implementing consortium member SME Partnership Association, highlighted the importance of having strong civil society coalitions. “I have always said that the development of the country depends on the counterbalances, if we can create such counterbalances we will have a good country. We need to have strong CSO coalitions that can survive and influence on public policies,” he said.

Mr. Armen Galstyan, Executive Director of the International Center for Human Development, which is also member of the CCD project consortium, emphasized the importance of such workshops, during which the communication became the basis to “holding hands” for consolidation.

Further the representatives of six coalitions presented the projects implemented within the framework of sub-grants provided in the scope of CCD Project, the issues encountered during their implementation, after which the issues raised and the options for joint solutions were discussed.

The main focus of the discussion was the development of policies in the sectors, dialogue with the government and local self-government bodies, and ways to strengthen the coalition.

Thus:

• Mr. Vadim Uzunyan, “Participatory Policies – Sustainable Agriculture” Project Manager, presented the program implemented by the Agricultural Alliance of Armenia.

• Ms Naira Arakelyan, “For Quality and Accessible Inclusive Education and Social Support” Project Manager presented the program implemented by “The Inter-Regional Coalition, dealing with the Problems of Children with Disabilities.”

• Ms Astghik Pasoyan, “CSOs for Sustainable and Transparent Energy Development” Project Manager presented the program implemented by the Coalition of CSOs for Sustainable and Transparent Energy Development which has been created in the framework of CCD Project.

• Mr. Gagik Vardanyan and Ms Satik Badeyan, members of the consortium “Armenian Business Coalition” created in the scope of the CCD Project presented the “New SME Development Strategy for Armenia” Project implemented by their coalition.

• Mr. Artashes Torozyan, “Social Partnership and Education: Community-Based Prospects for the Youth” Project Manager presented the program implemented by the Coalition “Partnership for the Promotion of Education”, which has been created in the scope of CCD Project.

• Mr. Haykaram Dremyan, “Participatory monitoring for the Establishment of Smart Communities in Armenia” Project Manager presented the program implemented by, HamaZarK Coalition, which has been created in the scope of CCD Project.