On 4 March, the 1st awareness seminar aimed at developing the budget capacities of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Mass Media was held within the framework of the “Budgets 4 Citizens” Project (hereinafter referred to as the Program) was held at the Central Office of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association.

CSO representatives from both Yerevan and RA marzes attended the seminar.

Mr. Arbak Sargsyan, Program Coordinator of “Direct Democracy” NGO, Ms Mariam Chakhoyan, President of “Tukhmanuk Human Rights and Education Center” NGO, Ms Mane Madoyan, Representative of “Freedom of Information Center” NGO, Ms Hripsime Kocharyan, President of the “Successful Woman” NGO, Ms Nune Arabachyan representative of the “Center for Economic Rights” NGO, Mr. Aram Voskanyan, Vice-President of “Armenian UN Association” NGO, Ms Narine Hovsepyan, Director of “Hovsepyan” Educational Center, Ms Karine Kazarova, journalist of Gyumri “Asparez” Journalists’ Club NGO participated in the meeting. B4C Project Manager, President of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, Executive Director of the “Economic Development and Research Center” (EDRC) NGO Ms Karine Harutyunyan, and Project Assistant Ms Anahit Mardoyan attended the meeting as well.

At the beginning of the seminar, Project Manager, ALA President Karen Zadoyan presented to CSO representatives the objectives of the Project, both expert and technical works carried out within its framework.

The participants also got acquainted with the budgets.am budget knowledge exchange platform created within the framework of the Project and its components.

Further, the Head of the Project referred to the educational program aimed at developing the skills of CSOs and mass media planned within the framework of the Project, emphasizing its advantages, opportunities and results.

After that Ms Karine Harutyunyan, Executive Director of the “Economic Development and Research Center”, presented the budget component of the training program to the participants.

CSO representatives enthusiastically welcomed the idea of ​​the Project and the training program implemented within its framework, noting that this Program aimed at increasing budget literacy will most contribute to the effective operation of CSOs and increase the level of their capabilities.

CSOs interested in the budget training can register here until 31 March of this year.

The “Budgets 4 Citizens” (B4C) action (8 December, 2022 – 7 December, 2026) is being implemented with the financial support of the European Union by the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, in cooperation with partners “Economic Development and Research Center” (EDRC) NGO and “Agora Central Europe” NGO (Czech Republic).