On 4 April 2025, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia hosted the young specialists and CSO/Media representatives participating in the second stream of the budget training programme within the framework of the “Budgets for Citizens” project. During the visit, the participants of the budget training programme had the opportunity to get acquainted with the financial policy and budget processes of the Ministry.

At the beginning of the meeting, Ms Mariam Sargsyan, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry welcomed the participants. She highly appreciating the initiative and wishing the participants a productive discussion.

Ms Syuzanna Soghomonyan, a representative of the Armenian Lawyers Association, highlighted the objectives of the programme, noting that it is aimed at strengthening public oversight and increasing transparency in the management of public finances.

Further Ms Sargsyan and Head of the Financial and Economic Department of the Ministry Ms Zara Margaryan, presented the participants with a detailed presentation of all the budgetary programmes in the Justice Sector, touched upon the activities implemented within their framework, and spoke about the priorities and strategic goals of the programmes as well.

During the discussion, participants raised important issues related to prospects of international funding, the mechanisms for increasing public participation in the discussions of budget applications, as well as changes in sectoral budgeting.

Ms Silva Ayvazyan, representative of “Blejan” Environmental NGO, particularly emphasized the importance of involving CSOs in the process of discussing budget applications.

Representatives of the Ministry of Justice emphasized the importance of such initiatives and expressed hope that such meetings will promote the active participation of civil society in the process of developing budget policy.

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).