On 26 May, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia organized a discussion of budget applications within the framework of the 2027-2029 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), including the development of applications for the 2027 State Budget, with the participation of interested civil society organizations (hereinafter referred to as CSOs).

Ms Susanna Yeghiazaryan, representing the “Business and Education Association” NGO, which currently is implementing a sub-grant programs within the framework of the “Budgets for Citizens” Project, Ms Nane Mkhitaryan, a young budget specialist of the “NGO Center” Civil Society Development NGO, Ms Ani Vardanyan from the “Success Lady” Youth NGO, and Ms Satik Badeyan representing the “Regional Development and Research Center” NGO attended the discussion.

The discussion was focused on the 2027 budget process of the programs “Children’s Issues”, “Women’s Issues, Support for Victims of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking” and “Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities”, in particular, the indicators of the 2027-2029 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, the mechanisms and results of assessing the quality of budget applications, as well as new initiatives.

During the discussion, participants addressed the effectiveness of program implementation and ensuring access to beneficiaries, emphasizing that the process of effective allocation of public resources is a key prerequisite for providing targeted and comprehensive services to people in difficult life situations.

The meeting was held in a question-and-answer format, which provided an opportunity for members of the teams implementing sub-grant projects under the “Budgets for Citizens” Project to voice their concerns, discuss the issues of expanding the scope of services provided, a new toolkit for organizing care, strengthening state-civil society cooperation, recommendations, and other related issues.