“Data for Accountable and Transparent Action” (DATA) project, which has lasted for over two years, has ended, whereas its results and findings, the created resources, the achievements and the experience formed were presented during the event held on August 18, 2022. The project was implemented by Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF) in 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 project consisted of five consortiums. Within the framework of "Social and Ecological Responsibility" project, socio-ecological policies were developed for the target 6 communities in Lori, Syunik and Gegharkunik Regions, where the socio-ecological risks and priorities of the communities were highlighted. The NGOs involved in "Social and Ecological Consortium” were as follows: “Center for Community Mobilization and Support”, “Martuni Women’s Community Council”, “New Horizons”, “EcoLur” and “Forests of Armenia” NGOs.
At the meeting held on August 9, Odzun Community Aldermen’s Council unanimously adopted decision N51-A "On approving the socio-ecological policy and including the programs laid down in socio-ecological policy in the five-year development plan of the community." This result was also highlighted during the event. EPF Program Director Gayane Mkrtchyan said that achieving such a result is a bonus for them. Gayane Mkrtchyan, listing the actions included in the decision adopted by Aldermen’s Council, stated, “The Consortium should turn this capacity into diligent work, continue to work so that each of these points becomes a business, programs and residents feel their positive effects."
EPF Director Gevorg Ter-Gabrielyan said that they did not expect such a result from the beginning. Our five partner consortia, united like the Olympic rings, were able to implement this project because of great enthusiasm. "Although this project has ended, the response to it and the use of the results/findings are just beginning," he said.
Donor and co-creator of the project, USAID Armenia Mission Director Rebecca White highly appreciated the implementation of the project aimed at increasing the role of civil society in Armenia and improving the socio-economic condition of the population.
According to Oleg Dulgaryan, President of "Center for Community Mobilization and Support" NGO, one of the problems of the project was the social tension in the target communities between residents, local governments and mining companies, as well as the lack of dialogue.
Recording the main findings of the project, Oleg Dulgaryan noted that the developed socio-ecological policies contain data on the community's socio-ecological condition, main risks and development opportunities. The huge resources created during the project were also presented during the event.
August 22, 2022 at 13:43