On 18 July, master classes on program budgeting and on public debates on participatory budgeting with the participation of young professionals and CSO/Mass Media representatives were held within the framework of the face-to-face (offline) training phase of the budget training program of “Budgets for Citizens” project.
Guest lecturer Ms Bella Grigoryan, an expert in state finance management, held the master class with young professionals. The guest lecturer spoke about program budgeting, presenting its main goals, effective implementation mechanisms and results to the young people. Then the necessary resources for program budgeting, as well as the progress of program budgeting reforms in Armenia and the main beneficiaries were discussed.
Following the master class with young professionals, the master class for CSO/Mass Media representatives was held. Seasoned Guest Lecturer Ms Sveta Harosyan conducted this master class. She spoke in detail about the participatory budgeting. Within the framework of the master class, an effective discussion was held both on participatory budgeting at the national level and on international best practices.
During the two master classes, young professionals and CSO/Mass Media representatives performed practical group work on participatory budgeting and program budgeting in order to strengthen their theoretical knowledge.
Within the framework of the master classes, both the young professionals, as well as CSO and Mass Media representatives completed the initial and final knowledge verification tests on program budgeting and public discussions on participatory budgeting.
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).
