The “Association of Young Journalists” Non-Governmental Organization is implementing the “Budget Analysis of State Support Programmes in the Agricultural Sector” project within the framework of a sub-grant provided by the “Budgets for Citizens” programme 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).

The project objective is to contribute to increasing the effectiveness of state programmes implemented in the agricultural sector and to deepen public awareness about these programs.

At the end of the project the following will be done:

1. An in-depth analysis of sectoral programmes will be carried out,
2. A simplified budget, which is accessible and understandable to the public, will be prepared,
3. A comparative analysis of the state support programmes and rural development initiatives implemented by the EU using the LEADER methodology, will be carried out,
4. The results will be presented to the public through multimedia and informational materials.

All this will contribute to increasing transparency, accountability, and civic participation in budget processes.

The “Association of Young Journalists” NGO has implemented a number of activities since the launch of the project:

1. Documents and legal acts related to the state support programmes in the agricultural sector have been studied,
2. Surveys and information requests from state institutions,
3. A preliminary analysis of budget data was carried out,
4. Summary data for simplified budgets have been prepared,
5. It is planned to begin the expert interviews’ phase with specialists in the sector.

A number of notable results have already been recorded in the current phase of the project:

1. Data on state support programmes have been systematized and summarized in a table, which provide opportunity to identify the target areas of the programmes and assess their actual effectiveness.
2. Recommendations to increase the transparency and accessibility of the programmes have been formulated,
3. It is planned to establish cooperation with experts, stakeholders and local institutions, thus ensuring the involvement of stakeholders,
4. Preliminary versions of simplified budgets, which will be presented to citizens in an understandable manner, have been developed.

It is expected that upon completion of the project, the public will be provided with

1. Analytical document on state support programmes for agriculture,
2. Simplified budget and infographics,
3. Comparative analysis with EU LEADER programs.

As a result of the work carried out, state support programmes in the agricultural sector will be presented in a more understandable and systematic manner, which will increase the level of their transparency and awareness among the beneficiaries. As a result, confidence in the programmes will increase, and the range of beneficiaries will gradually expand. This in addition to ensuring a more targeted use of state support funds, but will also become the basis for sustainable and long-term developments in the sector, thus promoting efficiency, fairness and increasing socio-economic impact.

This publication has been developed with the financial support of the European Union within the framework of a sub-grant provided under the “Budgets for Citizens” action implemented by the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, in cooperation with partners “Economic Development and Research Center” (EDRC) NGO and “Agora Central Europe” NGO (Czech Republic). It has been implemented by the “Association of Young Journalists” NGO within the framework of the “Budget Analysis of State Support Programmes in the Agricultural Sector” project. The “Association of Young Journalists” NGO is responsible for the content, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.