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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. The total volume of UNDP programme in Armenia for 1993-2009 amounted to US$ 51million, 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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UNDP socio-economic governance portfolio addresses poverty reduction and regional disparities, aims to improve civil engagement and participation and, overall, achieve human development. The portfolio focuses its activities on local self- government reforms, rural and urban development, modernizing the vocational education system, support to small enterprises at the regional level and high level EU advice to the Government of Armenia.

Sustainable local development: In order to continue the mainstreaming of the Human Development concept and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) into national development policies UNDP takes part in the process of revising the RoA Sustainable Development Program and promoting MDGs regional framework. With the aim of reducing regional disparities, and based on the Data Base for urban and rural communities of Armenia developed in 2009, UNDP supports the Ministry of Territorial Administration in designing of regional development and decentralization programs.

Moreover, UNDP Armenia promotes the concept of Integrated Community Development aiming at capable, transparent and viable local administration and quality public services at community level. It generates community-based prioritization of community development needs, and creates partnership-based implementation structures to convert plans into investment realities, focusing on infrastructure rehabilitation, economic development priorities and income generation in the poorest and most disadvantaged communities in Armenia.

Innovative Employment Schemes: Considering the role and the strategic importance of the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector for the country’s economic development (especially in light of the current financial crisis), UNDP continues its support to the SMEs through introducing of new mechanisms for SME support; strengthening the capacity of SME Development National Center, and; improving of business skills and funding opportunities for start-up SMEs. Also, within the framework of UN Global Compact Local Network UNDP fosters multi-stakeholder and public-private partnerships for development.

Through the support to the vocational education training (VET) UNDP addresses poverty reduction and income inequity in Armenia. It assists in establishing of normative basis for vocational education and training system in Armenia. Also, it ensures that qualitative work force corresponding to the needs of domestic economy, and resources are mobilized to upgrade VET facilities.

Strategic Policy Advice: UNDP continues the Second Phase of the EU Advisory Group Project to support Armenia’s Government (i.e. the Presidency, the Legislative, Executive and Judiciary powers of the Armenia together with other institutions and organizations as relevant) in the implementation of the reform agenda and relevant international commitments assumed by the European Neighborhood Policy Action Plan.

2010 Annual Work Plans

Policy Development
In 2010, in response to the request from the President of Armenia, the EU Advisory Group (EUAG) will continue supporting key Armenian institutions in designing and implementing of Armenian own reform agenda, notably through the implementation of the EU-Armenia ENP Action Plan (ENP AP). The EUAG will provide high level political and technical advice necessary to design and steer reforms, advising also on proper implementation.
The support is given through the provision of high level advice and it is aimed at strengthening the capacity of the Presidency, the Legislative, Executive and Judiciary powers of the Republic of Armenia (RA) together with other Armenian institutions and organizations as relevant, and assists them in the modernization processes towards democracy, good governance, rule of law and market economy.

Geographic coverage - Yerevan

	2010 AWP for Policy Development

Innovative Employment Schemes
In 2010, 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, UNDP will support the implementation of the SME State Support Program and introduce/improve business support services to small and medium enterprises at central and regional levels. Moreover, UNDP will develop SME support mechanisms and will strengthen the capacity of SME Development National Center. Also, it will improve the knowledge and business skills of start-up SMEs and contribute to the increase of employment and business opportunities for the poor and socially disadvantaged.

Geographic coverage - Yerevan and all marzes of Armenia (13 communities)

	2010 AWP for Innovative Employment Schemes

Economic Opportunities for Vulnerable Groups
Recognizing the importance of a skilled workforce for ensuring the medium and long-term sustainable development of the country, in 2010, 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 Center for VET Development, donor organizations, business service providers and representatives of private sector.

Geographic coverage - Yerevan and all marzes of Armenia (12 communities)

	2010 AWP for Economic Opportunities for Vulnerable Groups

Integrated Community Development
In 2010, UNDP Armenia will work towards reducing poverty and fostering democratic governance, through supporting the Government’s 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 of community planning and monitoring processes.
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.

Geographic coverage - Yerevan, Tavush, Shirak, Gegharkunik marzes (4 communities)

	2010 AWP for Integrated Community Development

	2009 SPR for Community Development Project 2009 SPR for EU Advisory Group Project 2009 SPR for VET Project 2009 SPR for Global Compact 2009 SPR for Support to SME Development 2009 SPR for Support to Policy Development 2009 SPR for Support to Armenia-Diaspora Cooperation