On 20 March, 2026, a ceremonial signing of advocacy sub-grant agreements with representatives of civil society, as well as the mandatory one-day training for sub-grantees, took place within the framework of the “Budgets for Citizens” programme, which is implemented by the “Armenian Lawyers’ Association” with the financial support of the European Union and in cooperation with partners “Economic Development and Research Center” and AGORA Central Europe NGO.

Mr. Karen Zadoyan, President of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association NGO and “Budgets for Citizens” Project Manager, as well as Ms Lilit Hakobyan, representative of the Economic Development and Research Center NGO welcomed the participants. They emphasized the importance of participation of the civil society in the state budgeting process, noting that sub-grant projects are aimed at promoting public participation, accountability, and transparency across various sectors.

During the ceremony, contract agreements were signed with a number of civil society organizations that will implement the following sub-grant projects:

• “Compass” Scientific-Research, Educational and Consulting Center NGO – “Advocacy for increased Public Participation and Improved Accountability in Higher Education Budgeting in Armenia”
•  “Business and Education Association” Non-Governmental Organization – “Implementation of an Advocacy Campaign in the Social Protection Sector”
•  “Armenian Center for Democratic Education-CIVITAS” Non-Governmental Organization – “Improving Third-Cycle Higher Education: A Meaningful Credit System”
• “NGO Center” Civil Society Development Non-Governmental Organization – “The Social Budget: Citizens’ Voices Matter”
• “Civil Society Institute” Non-Governmental Organization – “Strengthening Sustainable Financing and Effective Commissioning of Rehabilitative Services in the Prison and Probation Sectors”
•  “Regional Development and Research Center” Non-Governmental Organization – “The Value of Care and the Public Budget”
•  “SME Cooperation Association” Non-Governmental Organization – “Food Security Budget and Risk Recommendations: Poultry Sector”
• “Association of Young Journalists” Non-Governmental Organization – “Advocacy to promote state–civil society cooperation in the framework of public support programs in the agricultural sector”
• Human Rights Defense NGO “House of Justice” – “Promoting effective budget management and transparency in public procurement”
• “BLEJAN” Ecological, social, business support Non-Governmental Organization – “Reforms in the Food Safety System and Promotion of Safe Poultry Consumption in Armenia”
• “Success Lady” Youth Non-Governmental Organization – “Women without Targeting”

A training session, during which the organizers presented the main requirements for programmatic and financial management of sub-grant projects, was organized for sub-grantees in the second part of the event.

Ms Syuzanna Soghomonyan, Advocacy Expert of the “Budgets for Citizens” programme, representative of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association NGO conducted the training on programmatic implementation. She presented the specifics of developing narrative and descriptive reports, as well as application of the logical framework approaches.

Mr. Artak Saribekyan, the Grants Coordinator of “B4C” Project conducted the training on financial management of sub-grant projects.

The initiatives selected under the programme aim to promote public participation in budgetary processes, strengthen the capacities of civil society representatives, and contribute to more effective, transparent, and accountable implementation of public policy in various sectors.