On 17 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 “Budgets for Citizens” project.

Seasoned Guest lecturer Ms Sveta Harosyan was the first to conduct the master class. The Guest Lecturer referred to participatory budgeting and the international experience on participatory budgeting. After that the young professionals asked questions regarding the mechanisms of participatory budgeting, organization and implementation of local participatory budgeting processes in communities.

Further, the Guest Lecturer, an expert in state finance managemenMs Bella Grigoryan took the floor and continued the master class with the representatives of CSOs and Mass Media. The expert introduced the main goals, mechanisms and results of program budgeting. After the presentation a productive dialogue was held between the lecturer and the representatives of the CSO and Mass media regarding the resources needed for program budgeting, the progress of program budgeting reforms in Armenia and the main beneficiaries.

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).