GCAP Armenia: Make Poverty History - Learning Brief 2008

GCAP Armenia coalition, represented by eight local NGOs and Oxfam GB Armenia, has been actively campaigning in nine regions of Armenia since 2005. The coalition was built on shared interests and common consent among its members. The initial activities were coordinated by Oxfam GB, but since 2007, the Economic Development and Research Center (EDRC), an independent public policy institute based in Yerevan, has been taking more active role in coordinating the coalition. In 2008, the coalition have setup a statute including mechanisms for participatory decision making process, reporting, allocated responsibilities and rotating coordination.

The campaign aims to increase government and donor accountability in delivering the promise to achieve MDGs in Armenia. The specific objectives for 2007 campaign are increasing national spending on health and education based on the expenditure benchmarks recommended by civil society and improving public participation in decision-making process, including the new mechanisms of peaceful protests and marches.

The objectives have been translated to various activities, which included research and publication, various mass mobilizations and awareness raising events, media advocacy and lobbying. Results from existing and new research initiatives, including budget monitoring, have been utilized to influence the debate over national policy on poverty alleviation. The research results have been sent to parliament and government officials, published in newspaper and translated into clear messages in mass mobilizations. It was estimated that about 12,000 men, women and children had participated in various mass mobilizations throughout the country in 2006 only. The 2007 Stand Up event in Yerevan was attended by about 3,800 people, including children with disability. Members of coalition took lead in organizing public rallies and awareness raising activities like seminars, public discussion and events for children in their particular regions. The mobilization activities drew wide coverage from media. This was strengthened by broadcasting of nine short video clips on MDGs in national and regional TV stations. GCAP Armenia has also been actively engaged in GCAP coordination at both regional and global level.

Mass mobilization and strong media campaign around the White Band Days in 2005 and 2006 had been successfully increased awareness of Armenian public on MDGs and creating a proactive population that demands government to fulfil its commitments. The on-going work of civil society actors in promoting health care has led to the inclusion of rural health care as a separate and priority issue in the draft health law. This has partly contributed to the increase in government alertness towards the issue of poverty reduction as shown by the increase budget spending on education and health, by 33% and 22% respectively, in 2006. Furthermore, the Prime Minister has announced that an unprecedented growth in financing health sector would be made in state expenditures for the period of 2009-2011.

GCAP Armenia has introduced unique and peaceful culture of campaigning and advocacy, which are new for the post soviet countries. The coalition has been successful in organizing Armenian civil society and developing combined capacities from different NGOs who are conscious about their rights and able to exercise them in democratic settings. This is a crucial step in opening up more space for civil society participation in Armenian policy process.

For further information about GCAP Armenia, or to get involved, contact:

Make Poverty History Armenia

Gagik Torosian (Coordinator)- Email:gtorosyan[at]edrc.am; Tel. (+374 10) 397365, 540289

Lilit Stepanyan - Email: lilit_stepanyan[at]bridgeofhope.am; Tel. (+374 10) 58 91 86, 56 01 43