On April 12, 2023, SALAR International, the subsidiary of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR)) is launching its first Project in Armenia - “Support to Decentralization and Local Self-Government Reforms in Armenia” - #DeaLoG.
The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR) and its subsidiary SALAR International is supporting the implementation of decentralisation and local government reforms in Armenia since September 2022. The DeaLoG Project is financed by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) under the current Swedish strategy for reform cooperation within the Eastern European Partnership. The DeaLoG Project is also a part of Resilent Syunik Team Europe initiative․
The main project partner in Armenia is the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure. Key partners are also the RA Ministry of Finance, sector ministries, the National Assembly, all enlarged communities, as well as relevant international development agencies active in the area of governance.
The launching event aimed at bringing together all potential stakeholders and beneficiaries of the DeaLoG Project and presenting them the key directions and expected results of the project. Moreover, during the event opened up a stage for productive dialogue and exchange between key reform stakeholders.
Swedish Ambassador to Armenia N.G. Mr. Patrik Svensson, RA Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Vache Terteryan, SALAR representative Magnus Liljestrom, Director of SALAR International Ryan Knox.
Project presentation was followed by exchange on Swedish experience in the field of local governance and panel discussion on such topics as the key achievements of local self-government in Armenia and the vision for role of LSGs in decentralised public administration and service provision and steps towards that vision.
On April 12, as part of Project launch event, a workshop with representatives from around 40 communities was held. The following topics were discussed:
• Fiscal decentralization
• General education management
• Provision of health care
• Provision of social services
• Road maintenance
• Cooperation and coordination between LSGs and central level authorities, collective voice, role of local government associations