Socio-ecological Policy of Vardenis and Martuni Communities Positively Assessed at Forum in Gegharkunik

Socio-ecological Policy of Vardenis and Martuni Communities Positively Assessed at Forum in Gegharkunik

The socio-ecological policy developed for Martuni and Vardenis consolidated communities, Gegharkunik Region, was discussed on June 7, 2022, during the regional forum held in Sevan consolidated community, Gegharkunik Region.

Representatives of Martuni and Vardenis local self-government bodies, Gegharkunik regional Municipality, non-governmental organizations and active participants took part in the discussion.

The discussion started with the session entitled "Community and Socio-ecological Challenges" prepared by "EcoLur" Information NGO screening “Bring back our water" and "Inside View. Vardenis Residents on Prospects of Community Development" films.

Anahit Gevorgyan, President of Martuni Women's Community Council NGO, presented the goal of "Social and Ecological Responsibility" program. "Communities that have an impact on the environment need to know what to do to reduce that impact, whereas the money that enters the community budget should be directed to the development of the community.”

Gegharkunik Deputy Regional Head Rubik Navoyan positively assessed the inclusion of the social-ecological component in the community development programs.

Oleg Dulgaryan, President of “Center for Community Consolidation and Support" NGO, noted that socio-ecological policy aims to make the community dictatorial towards all business entities. "This is the weapon and the mechanism by which the community should be strong, talk to businesses," he said.

Director of "Forests of Armenia" NGO Nazeli Vardanyan presented the legislative part of the policy. "If used properly, this tool will be aimed at improving the social situation, increasing welfare, protecting human rights and protecting the environment."

Abraham Artashesyan, Vice-president of "Union of Community Financiers" NGO, Project Expert, spoke about the role of local self-government bodies in the development of socio-ecological policy. "Through this policy, we are trying to prompt the local government to set priorities in the programs so that it can best implement them."

Vahagn Davtyan, Deputy Head of Martuni Consolidated Community, emphasized that certain financial support provided by companies could not fully solve the existing social problems in the community.

Khazhak Mkrtchyan, advisor to Head of Vardenis Enlarged Community, noted that along with the development of technologies, the environmental damage is increasing. We will have a guide with which we will be able to use the money contributed by the community,” he said.

Piruza Manukyan, Eurasia Partnership Foundation DATA Program Coordinator, said that the program was implemented in accordance with the principles of participatory, transparent and accountability. "The biggest goal of the program was to be able to teach with a value chain, to support the communities, to develop change packages in some issue and to do it step by step, consciously and systematically. Today we saw both participation, and arguments, abd data," he said.

Vardan Galstyan, a member of the SOS Argitchi initiative group, spoke about the importance of implementing the project.

To be continued…

“Social and Ecological Responsibility” project is carried out by the NGOs involved in "Social-Ecological Consortium” - “Center for Community Mobilization and Support”, “Martuni Women’s Community Council”, “New Horizons”, “EcoLur” and “Forests of Armenia” NGOs within the frameworks of The Data for Accountable and Transparent Action (DATA) project.

“Data for Accountable and Transparent Action” (DATA) project is implemented by Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF) in a consortium with SOCIES Expert Centre NGO (Socies), Boon TV Foundation (Boon TV), Youth Cooperation Center of Dilijan NGO (YCCD) and Sose Women Issues NGO (Sose) co-created with and supported by United States Agency for International Development. 

The Data for Accountable and Transparent Action (DATA) project is made possible by the generous support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of DATA Project are the sole responsibility of “Center for Community Mobilization and Support” NGO and project partners and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID, EPF, and DATA Consortium.

 

June 10, 2022 at 12:43