On 17 April, 2025, the final phase of the second stream of the training programme aimed at developing the budgetary capacities of CSOs/Media organizations, launched within the framework of the “Budgets for Citizens” project, namely mentorship and exchange of EU experience, took place. A virtual study visit to exchange experiences of participatory budgeting in the European Union and in particular in the Czech Republic was held within the framework of the phase.

Mr. Vojtek Černý, representative of the Czech “Agora Central Europe” NGO welcomed CSO/Media representatives at the beginning of the meeting. He also actively participated in the meeting, sharing the Czech experience and answering the questions of the participants.

Ms Jana Stehnová, an expert on budgeting issues of “Agora Central Europe” NGO, was the key speaker at the meeting. She presented the successful experience of the Czech Republic in the process of participatory budgeting.

The main objective of the meeting was to deepen the knowledge of CSO/Media representatives about the experience of participatory budgeting in EU countries, particularly the Czech Republic, and to discuss various aspects of cooperation between CSOs and state/local authorities.

Jana Stehnová presented in detail the specifics of budgeting processes, the challenges associated with them and the results achieve.

A number of digital platforms that play a significant role in the development of participatory budgeting in the Czech Republic were demonstrated virtually. These platforms enable the citizens to actively participate in budget processes, present their own initiatives and vote for the programmes of community importance.

During the meeting, , participants had the opportunity to ask questions to the expert, share their own experience and discuss the opportunities and challenges of participatory budgeting in Armenia.

Expert Jana Stehnová and Vojtek Černý provided detailed answers to all questions and shared the successful examples from the Czech Republic that could be useful for Armenia.

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).