On 16 May, training on “Increasing Access to Justice for Vulnerable Groups” was organized for the participants of CSO Incubators in the scope of the EU funded “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project was organized in Vanadzor City.

12 representatives took attended the training, and about 55 participants from other cities joined the training via the webinar.

Mr. Marat Atovmyan, Mentors’ Group Coordinator/Justice and Related Sectors Mentor of the “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project shall conduct the training. In the interview with us he told that CSO representatives were interested in conducting monitoring in different state structures. “It would be good if monitoring is conducted, for example, on the activities of the Public Defender’s Office. The Public Defender’s Office provides free legal aid to certain groups. In particular, it carries out consulting, as well as representation and defence in criminal, civil, administrative and constitutional cases,” Marat Atovmyan said.

He also spoke about the 2017-2022 Government Program, which highlights the importance of increasing the access to free legal assistance guaranteed by the RA Constitution and the need for new effective mechanisms.

“According to the program, reform in the sector of juvenile justice will be aimed at creating and developing mechanisms for access to justice for children, defending the rights of offender or victim juvenile witnesses and reflecting the necessary peculiarities in the RA legislation and practice,” Marat Atovmyan said.

CSO incubators’ mission is to provide professional and technical assistance to Armenian CSOs to develop their capacities in 9 target sectors and 4 thematic areas listed below:

1. Monitoring of Public Budgets and Policies;
2. Development of Evidence based policies;
3. Creation and/or Development of Coalition,
4. Constructive participation/dialogue with the government and local self-governance bodies in public policy development the process.

The 9 target areas of the project are:

1. Public Finance Management
2. Human Rights: 
3. Justice
4. Business
5. Education
6. Agriculture
7. Economy
8. Energy 
9. Social sphere: Social inclusion of children with disabilities