UNDP Armenia Country Programme Document for 2010-2015   UNDP Armenia Country Programme Action Plan for 2010-2015, English version UNDP Armenia Country Programme Action Plan for 2005-2009, Armenian Version

BACKGROUND

The UNDP Armenia Programme for 2010-2015 was developed under the leadership of the Government of Armenia and in close consultation with civil society and development partners. During the preparation of the country's United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), six working groups, each co-chaired by a Government official and UN representative, and including a broad range of partners, met to develop strategies for each of the areas of cooperation. Following the completion of the UNDAF, these groups continued to meet to develop the UNDP country programme and ensure synchronicity between the UNDAF and UNDP activities.

In line with the UNDAF, UNDP will help to support the four UNDAF Outcomes by focusing on four national priorities:

• Ensure access to enhanced economic opportunities;

• Increase the capacity of citizens to participate and exercise their rights and responsibilities, and of government institutions to comply with their obligations;

• Ensure access to quality social services, and

• Improve effective management of natural resources.

UNDP implements its programme through three Portfolios: Socio-economic Governance, Democratic Governance, and Environmental Governance. In order to ensure national ownership and help strengthen the government's role in coordinating development assistance, the projects within these portfolios are led by National Portfolio Directors appointed by the Prime Minister.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE

UNDP will contribute to the achievement of four outcomes:

1. UNDP will help to reduce disparities between regions and specific socio-economic groups. Innovative and diversified income-generating practices in local communities will be developed. Regulatory frameworks and mechanisms to revitalize SMEs will be strengthened.

2. UNDP will contribute to increase access of vulnerable groups to economic opportunities. Market-oriented vocational education, training and life-long education initiatives provide skills and knowledge to targeted beneficiaries. UNDP will help to develop policies and practices on public private partnerships and corporate social responsibility to promote private sector engagement.

3. UNDP will assist to strengthen National systems of data collection, reporting and monitoring of human development. Capacities of national and local institutions will be strengthened to collect, update, analyze and manage disaggregated socio-economic data for evidence-based policy-making.

4. UNDP will contribute to strengthen institutional capacities and mechanisms to respond to the needs of vulnerable groups. Governmental institutions and bodies will be strengthened to develop and implement social protection services and social policies.

DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE

UNDP will contribute to the achievement of three outcomes:

1. UNDP will help improve structures and mechanisms at different levels to ensure the progressive realization of human rights. Support to the Human Rights Defender’s Office will expand, promoting a rights-based approach and the protection of human rights in line with international commitments. Support to public institutions in meeting international anti-corruption commitments will continue. Capacities to manage borders and migration, to combat trafficking and effectively protect rights of migrants will be enhanced. In cooperation with other partners, formulation and implementation of national policies that protect women’s rights and promote women’s empowerment in decision making will be supported. Key child protection bodies at various levels will be strengthened to protect the rights of children and to implement the CRC.

2. UNDP will help to improve the capacity of local government bodies to ensure transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness. Legal and institutional frameworks to promote decentralization will be strengthened. Capacities of local self government bodies, municipal servants and regional authorities in targeted communities will increase.

3. UNDP will assist communities and people to have the capacities to claim their rights and participate in decision making processes. UNDP will concentrate on strengthening participatory mechanisms to develop, implement and monitor strategic policies and programs at national, regional and local levels. Initiatives are aimed at helping expand citizens’ access to information. The capacities of media will be improved to provide quality information. Awareness and knowledge of human rights will be mainstreamed in curricula for both formal and non-formal education. Emphasis will be put on promoting tolerance awareness and expanding the capacity of citizens to monitor policies and programs. In light of likely improvement in relations with neighboring countries, UNDP will be prepared to support and advocate for confidence-building and dialogue on various levels in cooperation with local and international partners.

ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE

UNDP will contribute to the achievement of two outcomes:

1. UNDP will assist the country to address key environmental challenges including climate change adaptation and mitigation and natural resource management. UNDP will support the development and introduction of policy frameworks to ensure conservation and sustainable use of national resources at national and local levels, including climate change adaptation and mitigation. To this end, UNDP will support the introduction of instruments to ensure the implementation of national environment policies and the fulfillment of international obligations. UNDP will in particular support the development of innovative policies and practices for environmentally-sound and energy-efficient technologies, promoting the application of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Clean Development Mechanism and assisting in negotiations on post-Kyoto financial mechanisms.

2. UNDP will assist in strengthening national capacities for Disaster Risk Management. National capacity for crisis prevention, recovery and disaster risk management will be improved. Emphasis will be put on identifying climate-related risks, assessing the economic impact of climate change, inclusion of adaptation and mitigation measures in national and local policies and supporting monitoring and mapping mechanisms to enhance early-warning systems.