On 3 July, the regular courses of the face-to-face training phase of the budget training programs for young professionals and CSO/Mass Media representatives launched within the framework of the “Budgets for Citizens” Project were held. The topic of the training referred to the advocacy implementation tools that are used in the budgeting process, as well as the possible causes for success and failure in that process.

At the beginning of the training, the participants  filled out the initial knowledge verification questionnaire on advocacy tools developed by the ALA representative Ms Syuzanna Soghomonyan, which allows to reveal the level of initial understanding of the participants regarding the topic of the course.

The completion of the questionnaire was followed by the speaker’s the presentation of the topic. In particular, reference was made to the tools and measures used in the participatory processes for the objective of implementation of advocacy, as well as the use of these tools and measures at the state and local levels.

In the second part of the lecture, the ALA representative facilitated an interesting discussion with the participants about the possible causes for success and failure during the implementation of advocacy in the budgeting process.

Further, in order to strengthen theoretical knowledge in practice, the lecture and discussion were followed by group performance of practical works. Both the youth and CSO/ Mass Media representatives were divided into groups and each group selected a target area/objective for advocacy through the participatory process, mapping the circumstances that could be decisive for the success of advocacy in the participatory budgeting process. They identified potential risks and developed risk neutralization measures.

The course was concluded with filling in the traditional final knowledge verification test having the aim to assess the gained knowledge of the participants at the end of the course.

The courses are held in a hybrid method, in face-to-face and online (remote) formats, with the aim of giving young professionals and representatives of CSOs and Mass Media from distant marzes the opportunity to participate in the courses and have their input in the improvement of the sector.

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).