A final meeting with representatives of sub-grant projects within the framework of the “Budgets for Citizens” project was held on 6 May, 2025. Having the aim to monitor and analyze the budget in targeted directions, representatives of sub-grant projects and young specialists involved in sub-grant projects presented their project results.
At the beginning of the meeting, President of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, Project Manager of the “Budgets for Citizens” project Mr. Karen Zadoyan, welcomed the participants. He highly appreciated the efforts of the sub-grantees in their work aimed at increasing the level of participatory budgeting and noted its importance in the development of civil society.
Representatives of sub-grant programs discussed in detail the main objectives, progress and achievements of their projects. They also discussed the challenges encountered during the implementation of the projects and ways to overcome them, sharing valuable experience and practical examples. Each presentation demonstrated how monitoring and analysis of the budget in targeted areas can contribute to improving the public policy. The project results, including reports and analyses, will also be presented to the competent authorities for discussion and consideration in order to implement sectoral improvements.
It was noteworthy that as a result of the projects, in addition to identifying existing key problems in the budgetary process, the participants actively participated in public discussions of budget applications for 2025 of the target sectors of their projects as well. The project representatives have prepared and submitted their recommendations on budget applications to the relevant bodies in written form.
A discussion, during which the participants shared their experiences and achievements, followed the presentations. All participants unanimously emphasized the importance of the “Budgets for Citizens” project in raising the level of participatory budgeting and spoke about the issues identified as a result of budget monitoring, which will form the basis for advocacy campaigns in the future.
- “Education Expenses/Quality of Critical Thinking” – project implemented by the “Media for Education” NGO,
- “Universal Inclusion: Effectiveness and Accountability of State Investments” – project implemented by the “Lusastgh” NGO,
- “Budget 360°” – project implemented by the “Direct Democracy” NGO,
- “Justice Sector Budget Monitoring and Analysis” – project implemented by the “Center of Economic Right” NGO.
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).
