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| UNDP focus areas in Armenia |
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Achieving the MDGs and reducing human poverty
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UNDP Country Office in Armenia was established in 1993. The first Programme of Cooperation (PDF document, English version) of UNDP with the Government of Armenia was approved in 1997 for three years. The second Programme of Cooperation (PDF document, English version) constituted the basis for UNDP cooperation with the Government for the period 2000-2004. Since 2005, UNDP operates in Armenia based on the Country Programme Document for 2005-2009. The total volume of UNDP programme in Armenia for 1993-2007 amounted to US$ 40.4 million, which included UNDP core resources and donor cost-sharing.
The key areas of cooperation are Achieving the MDGs and reducing human poverty, Fostering democratic governance, Managing energy and environment for sustainable development and Supporting crisis prevention and recovery. The cooperation mandate of UNDP includes policy advice for people-centered development, advocacy, capacity building, institution building, coordination of external assistance, rehabilitation and direct support.
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The main focus of the socio-economic governance portfolio activities are focused on the local self- government bodies and economic development at regional level, which offer the best possibilities to address regional poverty reduction and disparities, improve civil engagement and participation and, overall, achieve human development.
Sustainable local development: A comprehensive programme of local development systematizes the interventions at the local level, based on a comprehensive analyses of community profiles, as well as on the assessments of several key criteria, such as the vulnerability and economic viability of communities. The availability of comprehensive and well-structured information on municipalities is the necessary basis for making policy decisions, as well as for developing effective, relevant and targeted programmes and projects. The community typology, UNDP supported to develop, makes government and donor support to communities more effective and targeted. It also supports the development of strategy and reforms on new administrative divisions and facilitates the fiscal decentralization process.
The introduction of performance budgeting at the municipality level has provided an effective entry point and mechanism for enhancing the planning and monitoring capacities of elected authorities and for ensuring transparency and accountability in public service delivery. The programme generates community-based prioritization of community development needs, and creates partnership-based implementation structures to convert plans into investment realities, focusing on social infrastructure, economic development priorities and income generation in the poorest and most disadvantaged communities in Armenia.
Innovative Employment Schemes through the increased knowledge and enhanced skills of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs). Promotion of vocational education and training, introduction of innovative programmes for youth and young professionals, and supporting the establishment of new financial schemes to support newly established SMEs with special attention to rural regions are other major areas of activity. .
Strategic Policy Advice: Regional and intra-regional disparities are addressed through the development of local Millennium Development Goals (MDG) frameworks, as well as through support for the adoption of the government Poverty Reduction Strategy -2 and its action plan.
The Global Compact, within the framework of public-private partnership, has created new opportunities for and facilitated the establishment of strategic partnerships with the private sector. Already five public-private partnership projects are being implemented, and several initiatives are in the pipeline.
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2009 Annual Work Plans
Integrated Community Development and Support to Decentralization
In 2009, UNDP Armenia will work towards reducing poverty and fostering democratic governance, through supporting the Governments programmes and initiatives aimed at i) supporting local self-governing bodies for improving accountability and delivery of quality public services, ii) supporting citizens for meaningful participation in decision making and monitoring processes; iii) supporting national policy making in territorial administration and decentralization. In particular, in the area of local self-governance strengthening, UNDP will support the Ministry of Territorial Administration and LSGs to support the creation of inter-community unions and will continue introducing the performance budgeting on community level planning and monitoring processes, as well as to strengthen the municipal service system.
With the main goal to reduce regional disparities and to foster economic activities UNDP will concentrate its activities at community level. Implementation of community-based projects aimed at creation of partnership-based implementation structures to convert participatory development plans into investment realities, will ensure the realization of economic development priorities and income generation opportunities. In its work UNDP Armenia will partner with key national institutions, Regional Governor offices, NGOs and international organizations working on public sector reforms in Armenia. Special attention will be paid to strategic partnership with communities and private companies. Performance Budgeting will be considered as a mandatory component of community planning and LGs capacity building.
Introduction of Innovative Income Generating Schemes and Mechanisms
In 2009, UNDP Armenia in the framework of this AWP will work towards reduction of poverty and income inequality levels through introduction of innovative income generation schemes and mechanisms. In particular, in the area of small and medium entrepreneurship development, UNDP Armenia will continue raising knowledge and business skills of SMEs and start-ups at national and regional levels and enhancing capacities of business supporting organizations to deliver services to SMEs.
Recognizing the importance of a skilled workforce for ensuring the medium and long-term sustainable development of the country, UNDP will continue supporting the reforms in the sphere of Vocational Education and Training aimed at meeting of the requirements of labour market. Facilities of selected VET Institutions will be upgraded and whole chain of educational process starting from development of National Qualification Standards and ending up with new training materials/text books and training programs for trainees on new curricula will be modernized.
Using the CSR and responsible corporate citizenship concepts and the power of collective action, Global Compact Armenia will bring the member companies together and will engage them into the solution of the challenges at community level. Private sector is gradually becoming one of the major partners of UNDP.
For effective implementation of this AWP UNDP Armenia will partner with the key national institutions - with National Centre of SME Development, National Center for VET Development, donor organizations, business service providers and representatives of private sector.
Support to Participatory Policy Development
In 2009, National Human Development Report will be prepared aimed at initiating a national debate on migration in Armenia, and to promote the policy reforms in the area by supporting broad public participation and experts engagement in public policy. UNDP recognizes the need for comprehensive analyses of the issue and development of the policy actions to be taken. 2008 Global HDR also will be devoted to the issue of Migration.
In 2009, UNDP Armenia will continue its support to localize the MDGs, which will result in the development of MDG frameworks for each marz (region). These frameworks will be used for the elaboration of the regional/sub-regional/community development plans and for development of policy actions to address regional disparities. MDG Progress Report for pilot Marz also will be prepared.
The Armenian President requested EU support for the Armenian reform program, which was positively received. The overall objective of the project is to support the Armenia in the implementation of reform agenda and relevant international commitments assumed by the country including through the implementation of the ENP Action Plan. The support will be given through the provision of high level advice aimed at strengthening the capacity of the Presidency, the Legislative, Executive and Judiciary powers of the Armenia together with other institutions and organisations as relevant, and support them in the modernisation processes towards democracy, good governance, rule of law, and market economy.
Special attention will be paid to ensure the incorporation of HIV/AIDS related issues into PRSP-II Action Plan and to support their implementation.
Support to ARMENIA-DIASPORA Cooperation
In 2009, UNDP Armenia will continue cooperation with Armenian Diaspora organizations and representatives. UNDP will partner with them in the design and implementation of projects aimed at sustainable development in Armenia, and based on national priorities. Cooperation will serve to the noble goal of multiplying the efforts in addressing the needs of people in Armenia and in this way reinforcing the final development impact.
In 2009, UNDP Armenia will continue implementation of the UN "Global Armenia" initiative and TOKTEN (Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals) Program aiming at fostering partnership with the Armenian Diaspora and facilitating an appropriate engagement of the worldwide Armenian Diaspora - one of the country's considerable advantages, in connecting Armenia to knowledge, experience and resources.
In 2009, UNDP Armenia will continue close cooperation with the Ministry of Diaspora to strengthen countrys coordinating activities and relations with Diaspora; to promote public dialogue, development and implementation of a comprehensive conceptual framework on Armenia-Diaspora relations.
During the whole process of AWP implementation the broad participation of all the stakeholders, including Diaspora organizations and representatives, will be ensured through: a) conducting consultations, initiating public debates and public awareness campaign; b) visiting Diaspora communities abroad; and c) analysing feedback and communicating the findings.
2008 Progress Reports
UNDP Armenia Projects in this Focus Area
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