Report on project implementation works “Development by the community initiative of Syunik Marz of Armenia” for the period of May 1 to August 23

1. Goals and main tasks of the project

The goal of the project “ Development by the Community Initiative of Syunik Marz of Armenia” – is the involvement of all the sections of community into the processes of management and development of community.

To achieve that goal the following measures were envisaged by the project: 1. To work out and disseminate among various sections of the community a brief manual (brochure) on application of the RA law “On local self-governance bodies” and on corresponding constitutional norms, that would stimulate the initiatives of community members in the process of self-governance and development of the community. 2. To hold meetings, discussions, seminars and trainings both with individual representatives of the community and with formal (Council of Elders ) and informal groups (activists, representatives of mid-stable households, vulnerable groups, etc.), with the objective to acquaint, teach and improve the mechanisms and legislative norms of collaboration between the local electoral and executive bodies, to involve all the sections of community in resolving concrete economic and social tasks, especially those aimed at poverty reduction.

2. Description of accomplished works

The project implementation works of the reported period may be divided into 2 chronological stages: before the funding ( May 1-23) and after the funding (May 24- August 23).

In the first stage of project implementation close attention was given to the preparation and organization works. Work contracts were concluded with project implementers, the responsibilities and functions, including inter-replacable ones were identified. In May 2 discussions were held with implementers and volunteers of the project on clarification of the implementation mechanisms. The group had discussed and clarified: · The list and brief information of target communities (appendix A); · The list of active community members; · Managers and members of the council of elders; · Had amended the working plan.

Members of the group discussed the RA law “On local self-governance bodies”, materials on conception of the development project by the community initiative and intervene document on strategy of poverty reduction in Armenia.

In June all the preparation works, gathering and dissemination of materials of the brochures were completed. The brochure consists of three paragraphs: · The RA constitution and self – governance, · The RA law on self- governance (brief explanation), · The civil code and communities.

All the three themes are integrated into one brochure, called “Main principles of legislation relating the activities of self-governance bodies and rights of the community members” (in Armenian), consisting of 10 pages.

Before dissemination of the brochure a series of discussions were held by the implementers (including the project volunteers) and some community members from Yerevan.

The mechanisms of project implementation, graphics and rational routes of ? works were clarified.

In July trips were organized to target communities, where acquainting conversations were held, most topical tasks were identified, the most typical obstacles to project implementation and their overcoming ways were defined.

There were two groups of implementers and volunteers traveling to the communities and working on the spot, and they had two cars at their disposal. It allowed them to carry out simultaneous implementation of works in all communities for a relatively short period (10 days, 2 days in each community). Besides in July there were organized: · Discussions of that Law with representatives of 2 other NGOs and invited specialists, · Discussion of community development project of the village Shaki, submitted by specialists of the village and it was an attempt to involve all the community members into management by developing cattle-breeding, spreading knowledge and by inculcation of more literate skills of cattle-breeding in farms.

In August the discussions on brochure “Main principles of legislation regarding the activities of local self- governance bodies and rights of community members” were continued with users of the project in communities. The discussions in communities were organized and run by two sub-groups of implementers with local activists. The first option of suggestions on improvement of the RA law “on self-governance bodies” is ready. For that purpose the implementers have: - become acquainted with the draft of the new RA law “on local self- governance”, developed by corresponding state structures, - become acquainted and discussed legislative norms regarding the local self-governance bodies in several European countries.

Also materials are ready to be published in local newspapers.

3. Collaboration with the World Bank

In June, July and August there were held meetings with groups of implementers with Mr. V. Sargsyan, a representative of the World Bank Yerevan office. During the June meeting the group submitted the precise schedule of works, responsibilities of implementers, the accomplished part of work for preparation of the brochure to Mr. V. Sargsyan’s consideration. The submitted implementation plan was approved (with some amendments).

During the next meetings the WB representative was presented all the materials of the brochure, brief information on users (on potential seminar participants and other activities of more than 2100 families from 10 communities) as envisaged by the project, as well as was discussed the work plan for August.

4. Results of project activities:

- the brochure “Main principles of legislation regarding the activities of local self-governance bodies and rights of the community members” in 10 communities of Syunik marz (total number of families ----, number of direct users ---); - over 40 meetings and discussions have been held in communities; - the first draft of suggestions on improvement of the acting RA law “on local self-governance”; - materials have been prepared for publishing in local newspapers.

5. Notes (the foreseen project activities)

Taking into consideration that in summer farmers are most busy with agricultural works, the main part of activities, related to group discussions and the coverage of the process and results of the project implementation in the press will be held in the second half of the project (September – December 2001). It is planned to hold a competition of the best project on development of community initiatives. That will allow to attract participants of trainings and accumulate the ideas of communities. The review of works will be done by January 23, 2002.

6. Brief explanation to financial report:

Financial report is brought in Table (general expenditures) and in Appendix 1 (expenditures by-articles). For the past period from the listed $7125 (395725 drams) resources $5668.2 (3145850 drams) was spent. The expenditures were made compliant to the budget (see the appendix 2): for salary - $800; for current expenditures - $618.2; for organizing and running various project activities $850; for other direct expenses for running project activities (including business trip per diem, transport expenses) - $3400. Thus the residue of the budget makes: $631.8 It is assumed that about $1000 will be spent in August.

Financial report (general) Project “on development by community initiative in Syunik Marz of Armenia” (as of August 1)

Article title Budget Actual expense Residue 1. Salary 1600 800 800 2. Current costs 1400 618.2 781.8 3. Expenses of preparing 4800 850 3950 and taking measures, including business trips 4. Other direct expenses 6500 3400 3100 14300 5668.2 8631.8

Transferred-3.957.527 drams ($7125) Disbursed – 3.145.850 drams ($5668.2) or 79.5% of the first trench Residue of the first trench 811.675 drams ($1456.8) It is planned to disburse about 555.000 drams ($1000) by 01.09.2001

Appendix 1

Financial report (according to articles of expenditure) Project “Development by Community Initiative in Syunik Marz of Armenia” For the period of May 1 to August 23

1. Salary

Name of expenditure article Budget Actual Residue in $ expenditure Manager 480 240 240

Lawyer 400 200 200

Economist 400 200 200

Accountant (0,5 pages) 320 160 160 Total 1600 800 800

2. Current Expenditures

Name of expenditure article Budget Actual Residue in $ expenditure · Stationary 200 129.9 70.1 · Electricity, water and 400 165.4 234.6 other communal services expenditures · Post, telephone, e-mail 600 172.1 427.9 · Representational 200 150.8 49.2 expenditures Total 1400 618.2 718.8

3. Expenditures on running various activities

Name of expenditure article Budget Actual Residue in $ Expenditure · Preparing, multiplying, 200 100 100 and disseminating brochures · Preparation of materials 200 - 200 by invited specialists · Acquainting meetings in 300 300 - communities · Seminars for actives 900 - - · Spot discussions for 600 300 300 community members · Training for active 1000 - 1000 community members · Round table with 400 - 400 Government officials · Conference 200 - 200 · Preparation of final 300 - 300 materials, their publishing and dissemination · Preparation of coverage 700 550 of the process and results of the project by Mass Media (audio and video, casting and publishing, programs) Total 4800 850 3950

4. Other direct expenditures on organizing various activities

Name of expenditure article Budget Actual Residue expenditure · Business trips (per diem 5280 2860 2440 subsistence allowance) · Shock-absorption of 560 240 320 two vehicles · Fuel-lubricants (gas, oil, 660 300 360 filters) Total mileage about (2000 km) Total 6500 3400 3100

Larisa Alaverdyan, Project Manger Rudolf Chakhoyan, Accountant

Appendix A

List and brief information on target groups of communities

Name of Community Number of Number of Families participants in seminars and trainings 1. Aldara (Meghri) 412 50 2. Vorotan (Goris) 80 20 3. Ishkhanasar (Sisian) 80 20 4. Nerkin Khndzoresk (Goris) 70 20 5. Noravan (Sisian) 220 40 6. Syunik (Kapan) 400 50 7. Uyts (Sisian) 167 30 8. Shvanidzor (Meghri) 113 30 9. Shgharshik (Kapan) 400 50 10. Shaki (Sisian) 400 50