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Improving Multi-level Performance, Accountability and Citizen-centred Transformation in Armenia (IMPACT)


Switzerland, together with Germany, supports democratic governance reforms in Armenia by strengthening institutional frameworks for participatory, accountable, and evidence-based multi-level governance. The project improves how public institutions plan, manage, and deliver services and promotes inclusive decision-making, stronger local governance, and civic engagement. This contributes to greater accountability, resilience, and democratic development in Armenia, and supports stability in the South Caucasus.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Armenia
Governance
nothemedefined
Democratic participation and civil society
Media & freedom of information
Decentralisation
01.12.2023 - 31.12.2029
 CHF  3’800’000
The project in brief
Background Over the last decade, Armenia has advanced democratic and local governance reforms, including the consolidation of communities (from 915 to 71), which has strengthened administrative ca-pacity and service delivery. Legal frameworks for participatory governance have expanded opportunities for civic engagement, and the representation of women in local councils has also improved (33%). Despite these reforms, Armenia’s governance system continues to face structural challenges, including limited administrative capacity, weak coordination across government levels, uneven accountability, and low public trust. Implementation remains inconsistent, constraining sustained citizen engagement. Participation in decision-making and budgeting remains fragmented and weakly linked to policy outcomes, while women’s representation is not yet matched by equal influence. These gaps highlight the need to further strengthen institutional capacity, multi-level coordination, and inclusive, participatory governance practices.
Objectives The population of Armenia increasingly benefits from inclusive, accountable, and evidence-based governance, as public institutions and frameworks enable meaningful participation and deliver responsive, high-quality services across national and local levels.
Target groups

The direct beneficiaries of the project are:

• Municipal authorities and municipal servants;

• Public institutions responsible for decentralisation and governance reforms;

• Civil society organisations engaged in citizen participation.

Armenian Citizens especially those living outside of Yerevan as well as women and displaced persons (LNOB) will ultimately benefit from improved local service delivery and participation mechanisms.
Medium-term outcomes

Outcome 1. Legal, financial and institutional frameworks, that are conducive to participatory, accountable and evidence-based multi-level governance and service delivery, are improved.

Outcome 2. Public institutions increasingly plan, manage, and deliver public services in a participatory, accountable, and evidence-based manner across na-tional and subnational levels.
Results

Expected results:  

1.1: Central level policymaking processes are participatory, accountable, and evidence-based.

1.2: Coordination, resource allocation, and service delivery improved across government levels

2.1: Planning, budgeting, and oversight are increasingly participatory, accountable, and evidence-based at the subnational level.

2.2: Public services are increasingly citizen-centred, efficient, and effective.


Results from previous phases:  

- OECD conducted first ever comprehensive diagnostic establishing a baseline on innovation capacity and participatory policymaking in Armenia, identifying systemic gaps and priorities.

- Technical assistance was provided for the establishment of a unit at the center of government promoting participatory governance.

- Designed and implemented three pilots to test practical tools and approaches promoting public participation and citizen engagement.

- Key lessons of the inception phase led to a more focused approach that prioritizes stronger local ownership, streamlined implementation, and the development of scalable and sustainable participation mechanisms.
Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
Other International Organization
Foreign state institution
  • Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
  • Other international or foreign NGO North
  • Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusam-menarbeit (GIZ)


Coordination with other projects and actors 1. German support to municipal governance, decentralisation, Public administration Reform (PAR), 2.Austria supports the decentralisation and legal reform through the Council of Europe, 3. Swedish SALAR focuses on fiscal decentralisation and citizen participation, 4. Synchronization with Swiss supported FORACCA project engages municipalities to better inform climate adaptation measures.
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    3’800’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    336’781 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   323’000 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   8’800’000
Project phases Phase 1 01.12.2023 - 31.12.2029   (Current phase)
  • Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
    GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
    GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
    Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation
    Democratic participation and civil society
    Media and free flow of information
    Decentralisation and support to subnational government (incl. accountability)
    Cross-cutting topics Crisis prevention
    The project supports partner organisation improvements as a priority
    Aid Type Project and programme contribution
    Project number

    7F10388

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Last update 29.07.2025