UN Country Team in Armenia Country Results Report 2020

Armenia - UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2016-2020

March 2021

A boy completes the wall mosaic of 17 Goals within the frame of events dedicated to the UN 70th anniversary and Sustainable Development Goals. ©UN Armenia/2015 TABLE OF CONTENT List of Abbreviations

Foreword 5 ADA Austrian Development Agency MoLSA Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs ADB Asian Development Bank MoESCS Ministry of Education, AHAOP Association of Healthcare Science, Culture, and Sports United Nations Country Team In Armenia 7 and Assistance to Older People MoU Memorandum of Understanding AMD Armenian Dram NCET National Center of ARCS Armenian Red Cross Society Educational Technologies Key Development Partners of the BF Breastfeeding NDC Nationally Determined Contributions UN Development System in Armenia 9 BG Border Guard NGO Non-governmental Organization BMS Breast Milk Substitute NK Nagorno-Karabakh BOS Business Operation Strategy NPM National Preventive Mechanism Chapter 1: Key Developments in CCA Common Country Analysis OHCHR Office of the High Armenia and Regional Context 11 CPD Country Programme Document Commissioner for Human Rights CPEM Child-focused Public OSCE Organization for Security Expenditure Measurement and Co-operation in Europe Chapter 2: UNCT Armenia Support to CSO Civil Society Organization PoC Persons of Concern National Development Priorities in 2020 15 CWD Children with Disabilities PPE Personal Protective Equipment DAD Development Assistance Database PSS Psychosocial Support DPCF Development Partners RCO The Office of the Resident Coordinator 2.1. Overview of the 2016-2020 UNDAF Results 15 Coordination Forum RECP Regional Comprehensive DV Domestic Violence Economic Partnership ECD Early Childhood Development RH Reproductive Health 2.2. UNDAF Priorities, Outcomes and Outputs: EE Energy Efficiency SDG Sustainable Development Goals Implementation Progress in 2020 23 EMIS Education Management SEIA Socio-Economic Impact Assessment Information System SERRP Socio-Economic EU European Union Response and Recovery Plan 2.3. Support to Partnerships and FAO Food and Agriculture Organization SEN Special Education Needs Financing the 2030 Agenda 71 FCTC Framework Convention SME Small and Medium-sized Enterprises on Tobacco Control SSW Social Service Workforce GBV Gender-Based Violence UNAIDS Joint United Nations 2.4 Results of the UN working more and better together: GEF Global Environment Facility Programme on HIV/AIDS GEWE Gender Equality UN HABITAT United Nations Human UN coherence, effectiveness and efficiency 73 and Women’s Empowerment Settlements Programme GHG Greenhouse Gas UN WOMEN United Nations Entity for Gender 2.5 Evaluations and Lessons Learned 75 GIS Geographic Information System Equality and Empowerment of Women GoA Government of Armenia UNCT United Nations Country Team GPE Global Partnership for Education UNDAF United Nations Development 2.6 Financial Overview and Resource Mobilization 76 HRAP Human Rights Action Plan Assistance Framework HRDO Office of the Human Rights UNDP United Nations Development Programme Defender of the Republic of Armenia UNDRR United Nations Office Chapter 3: UNCT Key Focus for 2021 77 IARP Inter-Agency Humanitarian Response Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization UNESCO United Nations Educational, ICT Information and Scientific and Cultural Organization Communication Technologies UNHCR United Nations High IFI International Finance Institutions Commissioner for Refugees IGTG Internal Gender Theme Group UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund INFF Integrated National Financial Framework UNIDO United Nations Industrial IAWG Inter-Agency Working Group Development Organization IOM International Organization for Migration UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ISO International Organization UN RC UN Resident Coordinator for Standardization UNRCO United Nations M&E Monitoring and Evaluation Resident Coordinator’s Office MHPSS Mental Health and Psychosocial Support UNSDCF UN Sustainable Development MISP Minimum Initial Service Package Cooperation Framework MoH Ministry of Health WFP World Food Programme

4 FOREWORD

and social costs, especially affecting the poor capacities, especially on social, health and as the primary coordination platform for and most vulnerable. economic systems, as well as broad societal UNSDCF implementation, ensuring continued distress. The UN in Armenia responded from congruence with the Government’s ongoing Working with our partners in Government, the beginning and established a coordination reform agenda. civil society, the private sector, and the platform bringing together humanitarian international development community, the UN and recovery organizations to mount rapid Dear colleagues, as we marked the 75th in Armenia responded to both crises rapidly, support. Building on this early action and Anniversary of the founding of the United launching integrated, multi-sectoral initiatives needs assessments, the UN soon launched Nations and the second year of the Secretary- linking the coordination of humanitarian the Inter-Agency Humanitarian Response General’s UN reform agenda, the crises responses with longer-term socio-economic Plan (IARP) under the leadership of the we have faced together in the past year recovery programming. In total, we brought UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and with demonstrated with unexpected urgency that together more than 50 partner organizations support from UNHCR. The IARP joined up the need for strong collective, multilateral who mobilized nearly $30 million for people in efforts of the entire UNCT with Government action and solidarity is as great as ever. In need of crisis relief. and NGO partners to provide targeted aid and the words of the UN Secretary-General, “Our support to tens of thousands of people who power to transform the current situation into The unfolding global COVID-19 Pandemic fled from in and around Nagorno-Karabakh a better world and future for all depends on reached Armenia in early 2020, leading to a to Armenia, as well as support to their host everyone, everywhere”. national lockdown by mid-March. The UNCT communities. This support continues into launched two key platforms for action, first 2021 and will remain as long as there is need. Here in Armenia, we believe we have helped set the WHO-led Country Preparedness and a firm foundation together with our partners, Response Plan to help authorities strengthen As the co-chair of Development Partners not only to support immediate humanitarian On behalf of the United Nations Country the national COVID response, followed by the Coordination Forum together with Deputy needs, but to help achieve the overarching Team (UNCT) in Armenia, I am pleased to Socio-Economic Response and Recovery Plan Prime Minister Grigoryan, the UN has been goal of a resilient recovery, ‘building back present our Country Results Report for 2020, (SERRP) developed collectively by the UNCT able to help facilitate the coordination better’ along a greener and more sustainable, the final year of implementation under the under the overall guidance of the Resident and engagement of over thirteen bilateral more peaceful path to delivering on Agenda 2016-2020 UN Development Assistance Coordinator’s Office with technical lead from and seventeen international organizations 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals Framework. As we prepare to launch our first UNDP. We greatly appreciated the support of operating in Armenia. In 2020, we pursued for all people. We in the UN Country Team post-UN reform Sustainable Development the Government, civil society and international an extensive multi-stakeholder consultation will strive to continue to be a positive force, Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2021-2025, partners in putting this plan into action with a effort with national and international helping bring people together to make that we reflect on the unprecedented dual crises sense of urgency. partners to help us identify strategic priorities change happen. Armenia faced over the past year, the global to focus our collective efforts. As a result, COVID-19 pandemic and the renewed conflict The emergence and aftermath of large-scale the 2021-2025 UNSDCF is anchored in the in and around Nagorno-Karabakh. These fighting in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict national development priorities and strongly overlapping crises together exposed the in Fall 2020 created new and immediate aligned with government and development Shombi Sharp entire population to a range of traumas, from humanitarian needs and added significant partner agendas. Moving forward, the newly Resident Coordinator significant loss of life to extensive economic pressure on existing national response established National SDG Council will serve United Nations in Armenia

6 United Nations Country Team in Armenia

In 2015, thirteen UN agencies, funds, and programmes signed the 2016- Resident Non-resident 2020 UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), underscoring UN Agencies UN Agencies their joint commitment towards the fulfilment of its goals. Throughout 2016-2020, three more agencies joined the UNCT, contributing to UNDAF results as part of its overall operational footprint.

Following the formulation of 2021-2025 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Armenia, the UNCT undertook a configuration exercise to assess the UN capacities and resources required to deliver on the UNSDCF results. As part of this process, United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN WOMEN), International Organization for Migration (IOM), Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN HABITAT), that were not signatories to 2016-2020 UNDAF, have committed to sign the new UNSDCF and deliver across its results. As such, nineteen resident and non-resident UN entities1 will contribute coherently and effectively to the achievement of the results set in the UNSDCF, as UNCT members for the new 2021-2025 cycle, under the overall leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator (UN RC), the designated representative of the UN Secretary General for development operations in the country.

1. UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, WFP, WHO, UNIDO, FAO, ILO, UNHCR, IOM, UNAIDS, UNECE, UNESCO, UN WOMEN, OHCHR, UNDRR, UN-HABITAT, UNCTAD, UNODC

8 Key Development Partners of the UN Development System in Armenia

Partnership with the Government of Armenia European Union (EU) Delegation to Armenia. UN in Armenia for the desired changes, and (GoA), specifically with the offices of the In 2020, UNCT in Armenia pursued extensive expectations from the UN in Armenia to two Deputy Prime Ministers, the Ministry multistakeholder consultations with national support the people’s vision of Armenia. of Foreign Affairs and all line ministries and partners to identify the strategic priorities and local government, has been instrumental related development results in which to invest As such, the 2021-2025 UNSDCF is anchored in supporting the implementation of the its collective efforts, capacities, and resources in national development priorities, strongly Agenda 2030 in the country. The key national in the upcoming five years. The 2021-2025 aligned with government and development partners in the implementation of 2016- UNSDCF design evolved from situational partner agendas. The newly established 2020 UNDAF have also included civil society analyses and benefitted from consultations National Sustainable Development Goals organizations (CSO), international finance with a broad range of stakeholders, including: (SDG) Council will act as an overall platform for institutions (IFI), development partners, UNSDCF implementation, aligning UNSDCF Development Partners Cooperation Forum, co-chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, Mher Grigoryan, and the UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia, Shombi Sharp. private sector, academia, and international • GoA, line ministries and Parliament; implementation with the Government’s ©Government of Armenia/2020 non-governmental organizations (NGO). • Discussions with more than 50 CSOs, ongoing reform agenda as well as engaging representing people faced with different in regular monitoring of the implementation Development Partners Coordination Forum forms of deprivation, disadvantage and of SDG targets and indices in the frame of (DPCF), co-chaired by the Deputy Prime discrimination; the UNSDCF and long-term sectoral policies, Minister and the UN RC, has served as the • Stakeholder survey with 65 partner strategies, and programme. Achieving the key collaboration platform for development organizations, including international SDGs in Armenia’s context will require partners, facilitating donor coordination development partners, national civil society expanded partnerships as well as massive re- and engagement of thirteen foreign country organizations representing different societal alignment of financial resources, both public representations and seventeen international groups, the private sector, academia, and private. Clear links between policies, organizations operating in the country. and media; planning, and budgeting processes will need UNCT has actively collaborated with IFIs and to be established. Innovative and evidence- • UN75 survey, contextualised for Armenia development agencies and/or initiatives, driven mechanisms will also be adopted to to generate the views of 6148 people living including those of the US, the UK, the Russian leverage expanded partnerships and multiple in Armenia on the long-term priorities for Federation, Germany, Japan, the Bulgarian sources of development financing. Government, the Swiss Development Armenia, the role and contribution of the DPCF convened to address ongoing and longer term Cooperation, Austrian Development COVID-19 response and recovery needs. ©Government of Armenia/2020 Cooperation/ Agency, World bank and the

2021-2025 UNSDCF consultations with civil society. 2021-2025 UNSDCF consultations with the Government and line ministries. ©UN Armenia/2020/Alikhanova ©Government of Armenia/2020

2021-2025 UNSDCF consultations with the Government and line ministries. 2021-2025 UNSDCF consultations with parliamentarians. ©Government of Armenia/2020 ©National Assembly of Armenia/2020

10 The year 2020 saw challenging and dramatic the destruction of many houses and public Chapter 1: developments for Armenia. The beginning of infrastructure in and around Nagorno- the year was marked by the global COVID-19 Karabakh conflict zone, including schools, Key Developments in Armenia pandemic that spared no country and roads and communication networks. As a Armenia was no exception. The pandemic result, at the peak of the crisis, it is estimated and Regional Context directly impacted people, communities, and that the majority of the population living in economies, exposing the profound structural Nagorno-Karabakh had fled to Armenia. fragilities of institutions, exacerbating pre- existing inequalities, and deepening social According to the Armenian Migration Service, and economic vulnerabilities. While the some 90,000 persons were in a refugee-like long- term impact of the pandemic remains situation in Armenia, spread across the ten uncertain, the findings of the Socio-Economic regions of the country3 and Yerevan. The vast Impact Assessment (SEIA) for Armenia majority among them (around 88 percent) conducted by the UN highlights structural are women and children.4 At the same challenges as well as emerging inequalities time, various reports indicate that between and vulnerabilities that risk an escalation of 20,000 to 50,000 individuals have returned the health, economic and social impacts of the to Nagorno-Karabakh since mid-November, COVID-19 crisis in the long-term. Armenia’s but the nature and sustainability of these marzes and communities were seriously hit returns are yet to be determined. While the by the spread of COVID-19 virus across the ceasefire agreement is currently holding, country and the multilayer economic shocks concerns have emerged due to reports of imposed by the pandemic. COVID-19 has punctual incidents, which could affect the naturally impacted the health status of people willingness of the population from Nagorno- nationwide. However, it has had a much Karabakh to return. Due to the severely stronger negative impact on the psychological damaged infrastructure and concerns over and emotional health of people. The Armenian security in Nagorno-Karabakh, the majority educational system greatly suffered during of the refugee- like population in Armenia will the pandemic, due to the lack of Information likely opt to remain in Armenia for the coming and Communication Technologies (ICT) months. This is corroborated by preliminary infrastructure and equipment preventing intention surveys showing that 70 per cent of many children in both urban and rural areas arrivals to Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh from participating in online sessions.2 have no intention to return for now or remain unsure. On 12 July, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, clashes broke out on the international “Together with our partners here border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which further complicated the already in Armenia, the UN Country Team fragile prospects for a negotiated solution have been working hard since the to the Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) conflict. On beginning of the conflict to help 27 September 2020, heavy clashes broke out along the line of contact (LoC) and quickly meet the critical needs of people expanded to other areas in and around forced to flee their homes.” Nagorno-Karabakh, until a nine-point ceasefire agreement was signed between - UN RC in Armenia, Armenia and Azerbaijan during the night of 9-10 November. The six weeks of conflict Shombi Sharp resulted in significant civilian casualties and

2. The rapid nationwide Social and Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA) was undertaken by UNDP, as the technical lead for the UN’s socio-economic response in Armenia under the leadership of the UNRC, in partnership with UNFPA, UNAIDS, UN Women, and the Asian Development Bank and the generous technical support and inputs from other UN agencies, and IFIs. 3. Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Gegharkunik, Kotayk, Lori, Shirak, Syunik, Tavush, and Vayots Dzor 4. REACH Rapid Needs Assessment of Displaced Population from Nagorno-Karabakh, 10-20 October 2020.

12 Inter-agency Response to the facilitate data and information gathering as well activities (under Protection, Health, Food as the UN Strategic Development Cooperation Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict as dissemination. A Technical Reference Group Security and Nutrition, and Shelter/NFIs) but Framework (UNSDCF) that strategically With the beginning of the conflict, the UN on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support as also early recovery, resilience, and durable governs development initiatives of the UN in system in Armenia immediately established well as on Gender ensures a coordinated and solutions components. The plan includes part Armenia from 2012 to 2025 as well as other a flexible and scalable coordination effective approaches across WGs. of the host community, in addition to the Crisis Response Plans such as the “COVID-19 structure under the leadership of the displaced population from in and around NK Socio-Economic Response Plan”, which was Resident Coordinator’s Office and UNHCR At the Principals level, the coordination in Armenia and also factors in documents such already in place. to coordinate humanitarian efforts and structure brings together the Resident maximize the efficiency of the response in Coordinator and Heads of UN Agencies Armenia to the crisis in Nagorno Karabakh to ensure overall alignment and clear (NK). The coordination structure (See Figure guidance of the humanitarian response. The 1) continues to operate to date and remains coordination model has been communicated 18,708 1,796 to the Government of Armenia and enables Individuals reached Persons reached centered around four main humanitarian by the monthly through Protection Working Groups (WG) – Shelter and NFIs engagement of Government representatives food assistance Monitoring exercise (UNHCR lead), Protection (UNHCR lead), Food at all levels. Given the fluidity of the crisis, Security and Nutrition (WFP lead), and Health the coordination modalities were reviewed (WHO lead) – as well as a fifth Working Group continuously and adjusted according to on Early Recovery (UNDP lead) allowing the evolving situation on the ground, in full respect of globally established mandated 995 mainstreaming of longer-term initiatives Beneficiaries 22,681 Winter clothes roles and responsibilities. reached through that strengthen communities in Armenia distributed and ensuring a humanitarian-development education activities nexus. Additional Sub-Working Groups were In December 2020, the Coordination Team established in the area of Child Protection, successfully applied for a Central Emergency Education, humanitarian cash transfer Relief Fund (CERF) Rapid Response funding programming as well as on Mental Health window. After extensive discussion with the CERF Secretariat, UNICEF, IOM, and and Psychosocial Support. These technical Figure 1: Inter-Agency Coordination Architecture UNHCR were awarded a total of USD 2M in Working Groups form the backbone of the Armenia situation – Hybrid Coordination Model coordination of the humanitarian response mid- January to cover lifesaving needs in in Armenia. They serve to mobilize and three sectors (Protection, including child protection and education, Health and strengthen coordination and collaboration Principals level Informed by Shelter/NFI). It is to be noted that the amount and in liaison with among the different UN agencies, 1. DMCT Heads of Agencies + RC Resident Coordinator requested constitutes around 3.2% of the 2. SERP/ COVID response international organizations, local and High-Level Inter- Government overall financial requirements identified for 3. Global Coordination Agency Group / UNCT international NGOs with the ultimate goal Architecture to ensure provision of most efficient, swift all sectors, which - as per the Inter-Agency and cost-effective humanitarian response to Response Plan. challenges generated by the conflict in NK. Integration level Information management Overall, 13 UN agencies, 22 international Inter-Agency Response Plan 2020-2021 Working Group (incl. Composition: Assessment coord.) to address the broader humanitarian Coordination NGOs, 19 national NGOs, 2 intergovernmental Chairs of WGs, Sectoral level Steering Group *The structures can consequences of the NK crisis has been Head of RCO and Government organisations, 5 Government entities and Accountability for Affected (RCO /UNHCR lead) be adapted and finalized, and publicly launched in January UNHCR support Populations/ CWC replicated based on 1 international organization are part of the context and need – coordination system. 2021 in Yerevan (after endorsement by the Advisory Groups including depending on the Government of Armenia). This country- Gender (UNWOMEN), Mental activation phase of Health and Psychosocial the Contingency Plan Comprehensive interagency coordination specific plan covers a period of nine months Support (WHO and UNICEF) and communication is ensured through the (from October 2020 until end of June 2021), and serves as a coordination, advocacy Coordination Steering Group (CSG) comprised Protection Shelter & NFI and resource mobilization tool. It brings Food Security (SubWGs Child Thematic level Health WG (incl. Cash of the Working Group chairs and co-lead by the and Nutrition Protection, Early Recovery together 35 operational partners involved SubWG) UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and UNHCR. Education) mainstreamed in the response (over 180 projects in total), Technical Chairs (UNDP) The CSG is supported by an Information assigned by agencies with total financial requirements amounting WFP WHO UNHCR, UNHCR, UNICEF// Management WG to ensure a harmonized UNICEF (SWG) UNICEF (SWGs) UNHCR (SWG) approach among agencies and partners in to USD 62,122,194 for the overall period. The collecting information on activities and to Response Plan includes not only humanitarian Sectoral Government representatives are represented as well as actively participating and contributing to the thematic working groups (e.g. Health, cash)

14 In 2015 the GoA and thirteen UN Agencies, Chapter 2: Funds and Programmes signed the 2016- 2020 UNDAF, committing to deliver results UNCT Armenia Support to National under 4 strategic pillars and 7 major outcomes highlighted in Figure 2 below: Development Priorities in 2020

2.1. Overview of the 2016-2020 UNDAF Results

Equitable, sustainable Outcome 1. By 2020, Armenia’s competitiveness is improved economic and people, especially vulnerable groups, have greater access to development sustainable economic opportunities. and poverty reduction

Outcome 2. By 2020, people benefit from improved systems of democratic governance and strengthened protection of human rights.

Outcome 3. By 2020, Armenia has achieved greater progress in Democratic reducing gender inequality, and women are more empowered and governance less likely to suffer domestic violence.

Outcome 4. By 2020, migration, border, and asylum management systems are strengthened to promote and protect the rights of migrants and displaced people, especially women and girls.

Outcome 5. By 2020, vulnerable groups have improved access to basic education and social protection services and participate in Social their communities. services and inclusion Outcome 6. By 2020, quality health services are accessible to all, including especially vulnerable groups.

Environmental Outcome 7. By 2020 Sustainable Development principles and sustainability good practices for environmental sustainability resilience building, and resilience- climate change adaptation and mitigation, and green economy are building introduced and applied.

16 In 2020 the independent Final Evaluation factors for sustainability of results has been To understand the multidimensional socio-economic impacts of the pandemic, UN agencies of 2016-2020 UNDAF, commissioned by strong national ownership and involvement led a number of thematic assessments, highlighted in Figure 4: UNCT, was completed with key highlights of national stakeholders as partners, illustrated below: beneficiaries, and participants in activities. Figure 4: UN-led Assessments UNDAF Relevance and Coherence: Are Normative: Have we left no one behind? we doing the right things? Overall, the The rights and needs of the poor and people formulation of UNDAF outcomes was based in vulnerable situations have been reflected on the national priorities and the needs of the at the design stage; while human rights country, in line with the international norms mainstreaming and no-one left behind and standards. UNDAF implementation has principles have been, in general, followed been, in general, flexible and responsive to during UNDAF implementation. UNCT also the emerging priorities and challenges of benefited from joint programmes to address the country during the period 2016–2020. UN human rights priorities and advance the Agencies were particularly responsive in the design and implementation of pro-poor and aftermath of the “Velvet Revolution”, through inclusive measures. their critical assistance to the electoral process and the reform agenda of the new GoA. The Value addition of UNDAF as a tool: principle of “leave no-one behind” has been UNDAF’s steering mechanism, the nationally mainstreamed and the needs of different owned Steering Committee, and the core vulnerable groups have been at focus of implementation mechanism embodied UNDAF implementation. in the Results Groups at the level of strategic pillars were timely established Results: Have we made a difference? UNCT but were underperformed during UNDAF has been, in general, effective in delivering implementation. Financial resources planned results and contributing to progress under for implementation of UNDAF were almost all UNDAF 2016-2020 outcomes, confirmed fully mobilized and almost fully delivered by positive changes in relevant statistical during the first three years of UNDAF indicators and linked with a credible implementation. In 2020, however, the contribution of UN to these changes. COVID-19 pandemic and conflict ‘distracted’ resources and policy commitment towards Transformation: Have we made long- the development results and UNCT delivery lasting changes? UN Agencies have was not up to speed with its full potential (See considered the sustainability of results Figure 3: Total Delivery in 2020. Disaggregated from the design to implementation stages delivery per outcomes is demonstrated in 2.6 of UNDAF. One of the most important Financial Overview section of the report).

Figure 3: Total Delivery in 2020

Total 2020 Budget (USD) 37,133,377

Total Expenditure in 2020 (USD) 23,161,033

18 Figure 5: SERRP Recovery Plan Resources In 2020 key UN response and recovery bordering regions of Armenia and persons in interventions included: refugee-like situation.

As a result of United Nations Children's Fund’s As part of efforts to institutionalize Ongoing/ New Proposed Total (UNICEF) joint work with Yerevan municipality the psycho-social response, UNICEF in Repurposed and World Vision, the social protection partnership with the Council of Justice for system reform in Yerevan municipality Children provided professional guidance was approved in June 2020, resulting in a and capacity-building to childcare and justice $20,000 $5,780,000 $1,385,000 $7,185,000 more effective and targeted response by the sector partners on protecting children in the municipality to COVID-19. The following tools situation of COVID-19. Children in the Abovyan

$1,240,090 $2,364,792 $3,790,540 $7,395,422 were developed – regulation on voluntary Penitentiary were also supplied with PPE authorities and financing, including during and educational materials to protect them shocks and emergencies, job descriptions from COVID-19 and ensure their continued $1,002,000 $6,263,635 $7,823,000 $15,088,635 and regulations of the departments for child access to education. Additionally, PPEs and and social protection and administrative units sanitization supplies were provided to the $145,000 $694,580 $1,550,000 $2,389,580 responsible for social protection. Moreover, staff of Police, Probation and Penitentiary, upon thorough review of the regulations working with children in contact with law. for local social planning, it became evident $300,000 $100,000 $700,000 $1,100,000 that financing mechanisms and rules for In addition, the United Nations Industrial implementation are underdeveloped. Thus, Development Organization (UNIDO) Total $2,707,090 $15,203,007 $15,248,540 $33,158,637 in cooperation with Ministry of Labor and supported the GoA in enhancing local Social Affairs (MoLSA), a team of experts small and medium-sized enterprises’ has reviewed the regulation for local social (SME) resilience in a post-epidemic context, planning, including financing mechanisms organizing the distribution of the orders of and outsourcing to NGOs. The regulation PPE materials among the local companies and These and many other studies conducted possible thanks to repurposing of existing for Yerevan municipality is being finalized supporting the beneficiary manufacturing by development partners in the country resources and ongoing projects as well as for localization at the level of communities, companies to produce 2623 sets of bed linen informed the design of the the COVID-19 mobilization of new funds (See Figure 5) including the development and co-funding and 2000 medical uniforms. UNIDO’s support Socio-Economic Response and Recovery Plan across the five strategic pillars of the UN of community social projects in the target made it possible to cover the needs expressed (SERRP), the realization of which became COVID-19 response framework (See Figure 6). communities. by the GoA in bed linen by 100% and for medical uniforms by 75% for 20 hospitals. More than 100,000 persons continued to Figure 6: SERRP Recovery Plan by Pillar receive services from MoLSA and the Human Association of Healthcare and Assistance to Rights Defender’s office, as well as support Older People (AHAOP) as an implementing Pillar 1| Health First centers that provide services to women partner of UNFPA has been supported to 22% survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and create age-friendly safe spaces and provide Pillar 2 | Protecting People domestic violence (DV), thanks to more than PPE to elderly people as the most vulnerable 22% 250,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) groups due to the COVID-19 pandemic and that was provided by UNFPA. To mitigate NK conflict escalation. To further mitigate the Pillar 3 | Economic Response and Recovery effects of COVID-19 pandemic and ensure COVID-19 challenges and ultimately reduce 46% security for women survivors of violence more economic vulnerability, UNFPA supported than 157 women received a one-time cash 101 SMEs and businesses owned/managed Pillar 4 | Macroeconomic Response and assistance. As per the request of Ministry of by the targeted vulnerable groups such as Multilateral Cooperation of Health (MoH), more than 2,000,000 PPEs unemployed women aged 50-63 years old, 7% were procured and distributed to all maternity abused, and disabled women, women with Pillar 5 | Social Cohesion and Community Resilience hospitals and consultations were held with disabled children, single mothers, rural 3% women to ensure safe continuation of women, women and men aged 63 years old maternity services to pregnant women. and older, persons having family members Emergency reproductive health (RH) kits were aged 63 years old and older. One-time cash provided to 12 maternal hospitals in Armenia assistance was provided in the amount of that provide services both to people living in 48,000 Armenian Dram (AMD) per elderly for

20 a total of 731 pensioners over the age of 75 with messages on parenting at times of people in refugee like situation, WFP provided hygiene supplies for infection prevention who are recipients of state family benefits COVID-19, that were pretested among parents additional food ration composed of oil, wheat were provided by UNICEF to more than countrywide. of children with disabilities (CWD). flour, canned beef to 11,000 people in refugee 200 health facilities. Based on the WHO/ like situation and food parcels to 10,400 food UNICEF recommendations, clinical modules Based on the vulnerabilities revealed by the As part of the joint UN COVID-19 MPTF insecure populations living in Armenia. Since and guidelines on breast-feeding and Rapid Needs Assessment among immigrants, programme, UNICEF provided cash support the beginning of the pandemic, WFP has child nutrition, home visiting, hand and direct assistance, including accommodation to 2932 children with disabilities (67% boys, leveraged its global supply chain to deliver respiratory hygiene and safe immunization and medical assistance, food and hygiene 33% girls) living in 2797 families receiving 125,000 urgently needed PPE units to protect during the pandemic were developed by items were provided to vulnerable groups of family benefits, aimed at mitigating the socio- frontline health workers. This included 80,000 UNICEF and endorsed by Ministry of Health immigrants in Armenia, including to migrant economic impact of COVID-19 and providing isolation gowns in addition to medical suits, (MoH) as national standards. Using the workers, foreign students, undocumented additional assistance associated with disability. safety goggles and face shields. guidelines, 3000 first line health workers – migrants, rejected asylum seekers. 2450 UNHCR effectively reached additional 247 pediatricians, family doctors, pediatric nurses PPEs were provided by IOM in affected displaced households from Syria with cash UNHCR, with UN sister agencies, mobilized and obstetricians – were equipped with communities of Armenia with the aim to support to address increased vulnerabilities resources to reach out refugee families internationally proven and MOH accepted prevent the spread of COVID-19 among the during the pandemic. UNICEF and United helping them fight the negative socio- knowledge and skills to provide children refugee-like population. A system of rapid Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in economic consequences of COVID-19 by and their parents with comprehensive social needs assessment with consistent collaboration with the World Food Programme ensuring in-kind assistance, including NFI, health services during the pandemic. As registration of beneficiaries for targeted (WFP), the World Bank and MoLSA, launched hygiene and COVID-19 preventive items, part of extensive public communication services was developed by IOM, aiming to the development of a rapid assessment and educational and development materials interventions, UNICEF developed short and improve access of people, including seasonal beneficiary registration system primarily for children. In view of new displacement clear messaging cards for parents of young labour migrants, unable to leave the country targeting families and children outside following the escalation of the conflict in and children on hand and respiratory hygiene as due to the pandemic, to state and non-state of existing social protection programmes around NK, UNHCR mobilized its internal well as on childcare and nutrition practices. programs through iMigrant portal. Virtual and support packages. The system aims to resources and ensured effective cooperation exchange of expertise among Armenian and increase the shock-responsiveness of the with several CSOs operating on the ground UNFPA supported the development of diaspora doctors during the first weeks of social protection system and improve the to ease the hardship of the extremely two new clinical guidelines and updated outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic in Armenia effectiveness and efficiency of MoLSA’s MIS vulnerable families living in remote and rural four guidelines, including the guideline on were organized with IOM support; and during systems, including development of the unified areas of Armenia. management of pregnant patients with these online meetings the urgent needs, social protection MIS. COVID-19. Moreover, maternity hospitals’ lessons learned, global trends and innovative Additionally, several successful joint disaster readiness was assessed. Six trainings methods of treatment of Covid-19 pandemic UNICEF also supported promotion of initiatives were conducted within the UN on Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for were discussed. emergency foster care as a key measure to COVID-19 Social Protection and Psychosocial medical staff and rescuers in 3 communities ensure that children, whose families suffered support (PSS) working group, led by UNICEF, of Vayots Dzor marz were conducted. To continue supporting education from COVID-19, get family-based care when and the Humanitarian Cash Transfer Additionally, at the request of MoH, the Joint continuity and distance learning, as part needed. Over 415 parents expressed interest Programming coordination sub-working United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS of the UN’s response, UNICEF provided 200 in emergency fostering. UNDP supported group, co-led by UNICEF and UNHCR, (UNAIDS) supported the establishment of tablets to vulnerable children and UNFPA data gap analysis of support packages for convening UN agencies, development a mobile clinic to increase state laboratory provided 250 tablets to children living COVID-19 response, to further improve partners, including IFIs, and NGOs around capacities in diagnosing COVID-19. in poverty and with disabilities. UNICEF and institutionalize the timely and targeted a common agenda and placing social also provided 355 hygiene kits and 16,700 services provision. The hotline of MoLSA was protection at the heart of programming and Building on its unique behavioral science sanitation supplies to schools and pre-schools improved through joint cooperation between response actions. This has included provision capacity, SDG Innovation Lab in cooperation reaching 18,300 children in 124 communities. UNICEF and UNDP, allowing for a smoother of supplies to 11 residential care institutions with UN agencies, helped the GoA 5000 school bags with basic learning supplies and more user-friendly services and quick under MoLSA; development of joint advocacy better communicate with citizens. GoA’s and personal protective items, 500 tablets expansion to address increased demands by messages on protecting social spending in information campaign during the first weeks were provided to refugee like children to beneficiaries during the NK conflict. the aftermath of COVID-19; harmonization of the Emergency Situation benefitted from ensure their smooth integration into host of post-distribution tools to complement the package of COVID-19-specific text and community schooling. UNICEF contributed In addition, WFP provided emergency food Government-led cash-based interventions video messages tailored for different age to development of COVID-19 prevention and support in response to COVID-19. In-kind and development of the Social Protection groups and using behavioral insights was control protocols for schools and preschools. oil was provided to 21,00 people during the Pillar as part of SERRP. provided to the Government counterparts. A total of 2200 educational facilities were summer. Subsequently responding to the reached with COVID-19 prevention messages, prolonged food security needs arising from Life-saving equipment for prevention, 12,000 vulnerable families were sensitized COVID-19 and accommodating needs for diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 and

22 2.2. UNDAF Priorities, Outcomes and Outputs: Implementation Progress in 2020 Chapter 2.2 presents a brief assessment of UN Armenia’s results in 2020 in line with the 2016-2020 UNDAF priorities, outcomes, and outputs.

UNDAF Pillar I: Equitable, Sustainable Economic Development and Poverty Reduction

In the framework of the MPTF-funded COVID-19 response, UNIDO Armenia’s Textile project team supported small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This initiative allowed SMEs to uphold sales and maintain employment for 1000 employees, 95% of which women. Supported by UNIDO, the beneficiary companies produced 2,623 sets of bed linen and 2,000 medical suits. ©UNIDO Armenia Outcome 1: By 2020, Armenia’s competitiveness is improved and Global Competitiveness Index rank (2014) Rank: 85/144 (2019) Rank: 69/141 people, especially vulnerable groups, Poverty rate (2013) Total: 32 % (2019) Total: 26.4%5 Male: 31.7% Male: 26.5 have greater access to sustainable Female: 32.2% Female: 26% economic opportunities. Unemployment rates (disaggregated (2013): Total: 16.2 (2019): Total: 18.3 by sex, age, and regions) Male: 14.4 Male: 17.5 Female: 18.1 Female: 19.3 Urban: 23.4 Urban: 22.6 Rural: 6 Rural: 11.4 Young people: Young people: (15-24): 36 (15-24): 32.6

Per capita average monthly (2013) 41,514 AMD (2019) 58,616 AMD gross income level

Key Outcome-level Indicators Baseline Status

5. 2019 change in methodology makes the baseline data and 2020 status incomparable.

26 regions to deliver agri-services and support increased turnover +195% (2019 vs 2016) the sustainable food systems in the bordering and exports +264% (2019 vs 2016). Light regions of the country. A decentralized Industry Training and Service Center (LITSC) supply system for wheat and legumes was established in Yerevan to fill in the was established in the bordering region of gap of qualified industrial patternmakers, Gegharkunik to increase food self-sufficiency designers, production managers, sewing of the local communities and strengthen the operators, shoemakers and other field food security of the region. Over 300 tons of specialists in the textile/garment and footwear/ crops were grown and harvested with the leather goods sectors. support of UNDP, most of them being staple

ILO supports Armenia in improving national employment policies, improving working conditions, crops essential for food security. enhancing employability of women and men and strengthening social dialogue. ©ILO In response to the rapidly changing labor Implementation Progress: bordering communities. This has included: market and continuous mismatch between i) co-funding mechanism of the State support Armenia’s economy expanded strongly the demand and supply of workforce in programme, leveraging the GoA, UNDP throughout 2016-2019 and led to Armenia’s Armenia, SDG Innovation Lab, the joint and private sector resources to finance the classification as an upper middle-income initiative of the GoA and the UN, developed innovative model of farming with smart country in 2018. Armenia improved its the Edu2work artificial intelligence-based barns; ii) integration of remote and freelance competitiveness in the Global Competitiveness platform which brings insights from the employment as a priority track in the national Report 2019, ranking 69th in the list of 141 analysis of thousands of job postings, Work Armenia Programme and also as an entry countries and improving scores in the index helps to get a better understanding of the point for facilitating access of women, persons components of institutions, infrastructure, Armenian labor market and keep the finger with disabilities and youth to employment ICT adoption, macroeconomic stability, on the pulse of developments, observing opportunities; iii) bridging education and labor labor market, financial system, market size, changes as they occur. business dynamism, entrepreneurial culture market through people-centered and data- driven interventions and iv) introduction of a and innovation capability. The income level To enable SME promotion and job-rich decentralized supply chain model as a form of rural households increased by about 23%, growth, UNIDO technically supported of territorial/intercommunity cooperation. amounting to AMD 58,616 in 2019. The 2020 and provided equipment to two cheese Overall, in 2018, full-time equivalent jobs were economic outlook, however, was strongly (Voghji, Amasia, Shirak region and Alaverdi, created for both men and women across affected by the humanitarian crisis and deep Lori region) and one fruit and vegetable the country in 2020. More than 30 start-up economic recession following the military processing groups (Choratan, Berd, Tavush enterprises and SME’s were established in hostilities in and around NK, coupled with the region). The technological process flow, 2020 in the sector of agri-production and COVID-19 crisis, and revealing the need for new appropriate equipment, and construction In response to COVID-19, around 20 tons of high-quality agri-processing with a special focus on legumes seeds were provided by UNDP to 218 farmers in Lori, thinking regarding the economic recovery. solutions are expected to increase production Shirak and Tavush regions of Armenia in the framework of the vulnerable bordering communities of Tavush, Green Agriculture Initiative in Armenia project, funded by the volume and quality. European Union and the Austrian Development Agency. Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor. UNDP provided ©UNDP Armenia SME promotion, permanent contracts, and With the goal of improving the In the situation of COVID-19 pandemic part-time expert engagement opportunities competitiveness of export-oriented paired with the escalation of NK conflict and to more than 1800 people, including the industries, UNIDO continued providing the displacement crisis, UNHCR continued youth. 48,385 people benefitted countrywide technical assistance for the development supporting the local integration of the from strengthened livelihoods, among them of the textile industry, specifically in persons of concern to UNHCR including in the 24,951 women. UNDP successfully piloted the clothing and footwear sectors. Efforts form of economic empowerment, supporting innovative model of community-based and aimed at increasing the competitiveness, for business start-ups, income generation decentralized hotel concepts in bordering production, and export potential of light opportunities, business enhancement and communities of Chinchin and Ditavan. Sewing operators’ and technologists’ classes at Light Industry industry companies. UNIDO’s technical facilitated access to financial resources Training and Service Center (LITSC) established in Yerevan Additionally, around 300 beneficiaries were with the support of UNIDO project aimed at upgrading and assistance promoted industry efficiency and and entrepreneurship. 24 UNHCR persons modernization of the local garment and footwear sectors. equipped with knowledge on agri-production ©UNIDO Armenia competitiveness, as well as strengthened of concern (PoC) received entrepreneurship and innovative agricultural technology, as business and institutional cooperation trainings and income generation toolkits to well as got access to high value quality seeds In 2020, UNDP successfully designed and between local footwear and clothing start-up or expand their businesses in the essential for food security. A new management piloted innovative models to enable economic manufacturers and designers. As a result, the areas of cooking, cattle-breading, honey model- a community development fund, was opportunities for vulnerable groups and new jobs increased by +146% (2019 vs 2016), production, cleaning services, beauty and scaled up in Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor

28 care, dental care, IT, photography, and repair joined Government efforts in designing also acted as buffers to shocks, alleviating As part of WFP’s school-based food value services. In addition, the office provided 8 the draft Law on agriculture. As part of the the impacts on food security and poverty chains interventions, in 2020, 39 schools business and market orientation training Developing the Global E-Agriculture Strategy of affected populations. WFP supported across Armenia were enrolled in a school sessions for selected families totaling 64 (CAPEX) project, the draft Digital Agriculture the Government’s efforts to create agricultural project that provided schools applicants. The training sessions were Strategy of Armenia 2021-2030 including income-generating job opportunities; with the skills and resources to produce on business planning, implementation, detailed action plan, roadmap and short-term contributed to quality education; food on-site for school meals in 2021. inspection and improvement, market and priorities were elaborated and submitted supported modern and renewable Across the targeted schools, berry gardens, market relations, product developments, to the Ministry of Economy. Improved energy sources; established new drivers intensive orchards and greenhouses financial management and other related evidence base and planning was also for sustainable and equitable growth; were identified as the most appropriate topics. All potential beneficiaries were referred contributed to the green modernisation to Revolving Credit Fund established jointly of agribusinesses; promoted climate- by the UNHCR and Government operated by sensitive investments; and reinforced the SME DNC Fund of Armenia. partnerships in strengthening national humanitarian and development efforts. Re-integration support to returning In 2020, WFP more than tripled the number migrants remained among the key priorities of smallholder farmers and agribusinesses for UNCT in Armenia. IOM supported supported to enhance the quality and returning migrants and their families through quantity of nutritionally diversified food via creation of income-generation opportunities, investments in machineries, know-how and ensuring business sustainability, and green technologies. facilitated access to additional financial resources for enterprise development. In The agricultural ventures scaled-up from 30 2020, 100 micro-businesses were established farmers in a single province in 2019 to reach with IOM support in rural communities of 151 farmers (44 women and 107 men) in two Shirak, Lori, and Tavush provinces of Armenia, Northern provinces in 2020. Results captured overall creating 166 job positions, including by WFP in 2020 show a 327 percent increase in seasonal jobs. IOM provided reintegration cultivated land by participating farmers, with support to 392 returned migrants to overcome a 315 percent increase in yield and a total of vulnerabilities, supporting with the setup of 123 mt of nutritious agricultural product, microbusinesses, job placement, housing, such as beans, harvested. The sustainability and medical assistance. of augmented production requires more consumer demand, and, to this end, WFP WFP in partnership with the Armenian Ministry of Labour and Social FAO’s Cash+ programme in Armenia, combining national social In 2020, Food and Agricultural Organization Affairs, provided a one-off food ration for 44,000 vulnerable people supported farmers’ cooperative with protection cash transfers and agricultural assistance, assisted affected by the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. rural families comprising more than 1,600 people to manage (FAO) continued its efforts towards improved ©WFP Armenia branding, marketing and overall business their way through the consequences of COVID-19 pandemic. food security and greater consumer access planning. WFP also invested in green energy ©FAO/Susanna Karapetyan to more affordable, better quality food under the focus of WFP interventions. WFP solutions (solar power systems) to improve and improved agricultural planning. The seconded staff into the Statistical Committee food production and processing, reduce infrastructure to be installed. WFP also capacities of Ministry of Economy and other of Armenia (Armstat) and supported the post-harvest losses, and use solar energy to supported the construction of a 400 square government institutions were strengthened methodological development and roll-out cut costs. A “zero kilometers” approach to meter hydroponic greenhouse to increase on COVID-19 implications and response in of the Integrated Living Conditions Survey link local productions to local markets was year-round productivity. As a result, the the field of agriculture. A Cash+ Pilot program to capture poverty rates, vulnerability, and adopted to also reduce the climate footprint annual harvested yield has increased more assessment was conducted, informing the food insecurity dynamics in the country. of interventions. than 200% in 2020 and the farmers are well national stakeholders on various dimensions WFP also commissioned several studies positioned to begin sales to the Schools. of households’ well-being, including on Market Functionality and Supply Chain food security and nutrition, productive dynamics, offering the Government policy capacities and poverty elimination. FAO recommendations for upstream value chains. supported the Ministry of Economy with the introduction of new institutional framework The year 2020 demonstrated the resilience and development of land management of WFP development-oriented interventions, instruments for land consolidation, land such as school feeding and food system, banking and mediation of lease. FAO also to shocks. WFP’s development operations

30 UNDAF Pillar II: Democratic Governance

Funded by the EU, UK Germany, Sweden, Japan and Armenia, UNDP supported preparation of 4000 Voter Authentication Devices (VAD), installation of cameras in 1501 polling stations, training of over 4000 VAD operators in 1998 polling stations during the 2017 and 2018 parliamentary elections, and institutional strengthening of Election Management Bodies. ©UNDP Armenia % of UN human rights treaty (2016): - 2014-16 HR Outcome 2: By 2020, people benefit mechanisms recommendations - 2014-16 HR Action Plan: 56% implemented Action Plan: 65% - Second iteration from improved systems of democratic - HR Action Plan of HR Action Plan 2017-2019: 85% 2017-2019: 70% governance and strengthened - 2020-2022 - 2020-2022 protection of human rights. HR Action Plan HR Action Plan developed/adopted adopted, 8.7% implemented

Corruption Perception (2014): Rank: 94/175 (2020) Index rank and score Score: 37/100 [0 is Rank: 60/180 highly corrupt] Score: 49

2.3 Voice and Accountability rank (2013): Percentile (2020) 47.78 from the World Governance Index Rank: 29.4/100

2.4 No of policies and policy (2016): 8 (2020) 9 implementation mechanisms established and aligned with international standards (in anti-corruption/OGP human rights, population development)

Key Outcome-level Indicators Baseline Status

34 Advocates and public defenders at the Chamber of Advocates with over 200 advocates and public defenders (59% women, 41% men) were trained and certified in child-friendly legal aid, with particular focus on psychological aspects of working with girl and boy victims of different age groups. In 2020, 97 judges and

Caring for equality training. prosecutors successfully passed ©UNFPA Armenia the distance learning course on comprehensive Communication Strategy and the rights of children in contact with the law Action Plan on Justice and AC reforms was for justice professionals, which was developed developed and will be put in force in 2021. To and made available at the Justice Academy of further the support Armenia’s participatory Armenia with UNICEF’s support. As a result, reform agenda UNDP and Armenia National almost 90% of criminal judges and 70% of SDG Innovation Lab developed the SDG prosecutors in the country received training Monitor online data repository for AI-powered during 2017-2020. real-time SDG progress monitoring. Through the introduction of innovative tools and state- To advance protection and promotion of of -the-art machine learning algorithms, the Human Rights in Armenia, UNDP supported Adam Simonyan returned to Armenia from Russia. With IOM support and as part of the “Enhancing Human Security in online platform visualizes the progress of strengthening of Human Rights framework Communities of Armenia” project, Adam established strawberry production in his native Akner village, Lori province. He created income generating opportunities for his fellow villagers, who will not have to leave for labour emigration any more. SDG achievement in Armenia. and key institutions, such as the Ministry ©IOM Armenia of Justice, the Ministry of Labor and Social Efforts continued to ensure that the justice Implementation Progress: e-recruitment and e-court/case management Affairs, Human Rights Defender’s Office, system adequately responds to the violations system. In tandem with Anti-Corruption Global and the Police, by developing several tools In 2020, the new institutional mechanisms of children’s rights. Legal frameworks team, UNDP assisted institutionalization and and mechanisms. To strengthen the capacity and strategies rolled out by the government on child rights and child protection were operationalization of Corruption Prevention of the Ministry of Justice for more efficient among them the adoption of the Law on non- significantly improved due to UNICEF’s Commission. Corruption risks assessment implementation, monitoring and evaluation discrimination and operation of the Equality technical assistance. The capacities of methodology was developed in cooperation of the Human Rights Action Plan (HRAP) 2020- Body were slowed down or suspended due professionals were strengthened to ensure with the Council of Europe, USAID and other 22, UNDP supported an online HRAP reporting to the compound crises in Armenia. There access to justice and protection from violence partners followed by online training modules platform with data visual tools; aligned the was an overall disruption in the planning, for children in Armenia through multi- for civil servants developed jointly with the HRAP activities with the SDGs; and raised policy design and governance reform sectorial cooperation, and continued efforts Civil Service Council and the newly established public awareness on main directions and implementation. towards building a child rights coordination Corruption Prevention Commission with implementation modalities of the HRAP. To and monitoring system in the country. strengthen Human Rights Defender’s Office Enforcement of anti-corruption measures a dedicated module for integrity of focal points. The E-Systems for installment of in its function of the National Preventive and strengthening of justice ecosystem Capacity development of social service unified investigation tool were mapped and Mechanism (NPM), UNDP helped develop: overall continued to be under the focus of UN workforce professionals, judges, prosecutors, recommendations provided to serve as a core (i) chatbot to raise awareness on the NPM interventions in 2020. As part of merit-based investigators, and police officers on working resource for introduction of this tool in Armenia. mandate, (ii) NPM guide on HR standards recruitment of judges, UNDP supported the with child victims with a focus on victims of and recommendations on conditions in development of legal/institutional mechanisms violence was also supported by UNICEF. To expand partnership base, UNDP signed closed institutions for the NPM members, for conducting psychological testing of As a result of long-term partnership with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) law-enforcement, judges, doctors, legal candidate judges and running the first ever all institutions providing training to justice with the Organization for Security and Co- professionals and the CSOs. psychological testing of candidate judges via professionals, training on child-friendly justice operation in Europe (OSCE) on promoting web-portal. UNDP helped assess legal aid system and working with children in contact Anti-Corruption reforms in Armenia, and While 2020 was an extremely loaded year for needs and efficiency of the use of current with the justice system is now institutionalized established cooperation with Seoul Policy Office of the Human Rights Defender of the state-guaranteed legal aid system. As part of for judges, prosecutors, and investigators at Centre and South Korean Corruption Prevention Republic of Armenia (HRDO) with the double- a broader e-justice system UNDP supported the Justice Academy (two distance learning Commission for institutional building of emergency situations and its impact on human introduction of electronic systems, such as courses and one face-to-face course). a Corruption Prevention Commission. A rights, the Child Rights Unit continued to fully

36 function with more children applying to HRDO Increased availability of evidence for out already for the second year encompassed UNICEF established an online platform regarding violation of their rights. UNICEF formulation of rights-based policies two key initiatives: a. Government allocated for adolescent girls and boys to engage Armenia continued its expert support to the on emerging population issues (low additional funds to the State Safer School with experts and policymakers and find development of legal and policy documents fertility, ageing, migration) was on the Budget Programme for the construction of solutions for climate change impact on on child rights, child justice for children radar of UNFPA in 2020. Thus, for example, 22 schools in small communities based on biodiversity in Armenia. In an interactive and violence against children, resulting an Information Management System was UNICEF guidelines and recommendations for online PechaKucha format event, young in adoption of important amendments in developed, piloted, and transferred to the inclusive, safe and energy efficient schools; advocates raised their voices for joint action the Criminal Procedure Code on forensic Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to b. Nine remote schools located in borderline on climate change mitigation, adaptation, interviewing of child victims and development ensure smooth implementation of the newly communities received government grants to impact reduction and early warning in line of secondary legislation on certification approved 2020-2023 state housing assistance improve their school disaster preparedness with SDGs. On International Youth Day, over of forensic interviewers. This enabled the programs, including facilitation of data and management by mitigating non- 50 adolescent girls and boys, including some legislation to be closer to compliance with exchange with the banks. In cooperation with structural risks. with disabilities, presented strategies and UN standards on justice for children, as well UNFPA, MoLSA recommended amendments suggested tools for meaningful participation as led to the development of draft legislative and modifications in the Law on State More than 15 diaspora experts provided in policy and community development amendments to reform the child protection Benefits. The recommended regulation has intellectual volunteering online workshops to through education. Voiced out questions system with the focus on clarification of roles been in force since July 1, 2020 and will apply approximately 500 adolescents and youth on and recommendations informed the revision of child protection actors and strengthening to all the citizens who were registered as topics of social entrepreneurship, education, of the national education curricula to ensure implementation mechanisms. beneficiaries at that time. UNFPA Armenia IT, and others within Together4Armenia its compliance with 21st Century skills and CO also supported GoA through MoLSA online platform. Psychologists from diaspora child-centered learning. of RA to address the challenges of ageing were linked to local NGOs for provision of PSS population and to facilitate the development to affected families. of evidence-based policies to ensure that older persons’ issues are targeted.

Equity, efficiency, and adequacy of budgeting and public spending on children remained another key area for UN work. As part of joint UN programme “UN-locking

Handicraft training for women with disabilities. Finance 4 Armenia 2030” financed by the SDG ©UNFPA Armenia fund, UNICEF engaged in the development of SDG-aligned M&E framework for the UN interventions in the police reform Education Sector Development Strategy process included participation in selection of 2020-2025 (approval pending), while the the trainers and new recruits of Patrol Police Asian Development Bank (ADB) conducted Service, which will be established in 2021, the costing. and provision of international expert advice and trainings of trainers. The amendments The Child-focused Public Expenditure to the Law on the Police relating to audio- Measurement (CPEM), Education and Health visual recordings of the police interviews, budget briefs, as well as other analyses drafted with UNDP’s support, came into earlier generated by UNICEF jointly with force in January 2020. This allowed the the Government have triggered changes Police to utilize the system of audio-visual around effectiveness of expenditure, recording developed with assistance from including allocation of funding for school UNDP in 10 pilot stations from May 2020. safety, ECD services, paying more attention UNICEF Armenia supported the Police with to costing exercises while planning. For in-depth training and certification of 20 example, advocacy and technical support to lead police officers from all territorial units the GoA’s Safer School Budget Programme of the Department of Combatting Domestic were provided to ensure the sustainability Violence and Protection of Rights of Juveniles of Government’s investment in the safety The Armenia National SDG Innovation Lab in partnership with the Institute of Public Policy developed the Edu2Work platform which in child-friendly interviewing procedures. and resilience of children in educational analyzes data from online job sites with artificial intellect and allows to make informed career choices and develop evidence-based policies. The platform is one of the components of the Edu2work project funded with UK aid from the UK Government. institutions. The Budget Programme rolled © SDG Lab

38 % of decision-making positions (2013): (2020) (executive, legislative and judicial) Legislative: 11 Legislative: 22.7 occupied by women at national Judicial: 24 Executive (Deputy and local levels increased. Executive: 14 Ministers): 27.5%3% Community Community heads: 1.9 heads: 1.9 Council Council members: 8.6 members: 10.7

Availability of an improved, operational (2016) No (2020) Yes system for legal protection of victims Support centers of domestic violence operate in all Outcome 3: By 2020, Armenia has regions of Armenia since 2020. Two achieved greater progress in reducing shelters, including financed from gender inequality, and women are the Government more empowered and less likely operate in Armenia to suffer domestic violence. since 2020 Global Gender Gap index scores (2014): (2020) (1 is ‘absolute equality) Total 0.662 Total 0.684 Economic Economic Participation: 0.648 Participation: 0.673 Political Political Empowerment: Empowerment: 0.068 0.118 Health & Health & Survival: 0.933 Survival: 0.948 Education: 1 Education: 0.998

Sex ratio at birth (2016): 113 (2020) 110 boys 100 girls

Key Outcome-level Indicators Baseline Status

40 Implementation Progress: women spontaneously arriving to Armenia due to conflict, while 600 The country continues to face challenges with political participation women received psychosocial support. Based on 180 home visits, the of women. Overall, the representation of women at the local and most vulnerable families and their needs were identified with 120 national level is still low. Due to 2020 crises the intended local elections women, elderly, and children, living in temporary shelters, receiving were postponed in the country and, hence, no progress was achieved psychological consultancy and 22 persons receiving legal advice. in terms of women representation in the local self-government. UN measures to increase women`s participation in decision- Economic empowerment of women was advanced in 11 consolidated making did not discontinue, however. With UNDP contribution: (i) communities of Gegharkunik and Shirak regions of Armenia. 155 30% gender quota was introduced in the Electoral Code of Armenia women became self-employed (62 socially vulnerable), 140 of them for communities with population above 4,000 residents, as part of recorded income increase in 2020 vs. 2019, (55 socially vulnerable). the Electoral Code amendment (effective from 2021). 20 enlarged Thirty-six women run their individual or family businesses, 17 women municipalities responded to UNDP’s innovative offer to institutionalize were wage-employees, and 87 were engaged in agricultural farming/ women and youth voice in the communities via Women and Youth processing. In total, 276 women strengthened their capacities via Advisory Councils (7 currently registered); 7 enlarged municipalities vocational trainings in five areas. Seventy-nine active women from engendered the community annual workplans in participatory way. 7 communities participated in local budget discussions, in result At grassroot level leadership potential several gender-sensitive community and skills of 32 women leaders from 24 development priority issues were communities, 48 women from intellectual included in 2021 Annual Working Plans. domains, 337 schoolchildren (280 girls, 57 UNDP-led Participatory Gender Audit at boys) were enhanced. the MoLSA was completed for gender- responsiveness and sensitivity of their To respond to the double-emergency administrative and program operations. situation, more than 200 active women Eleven Armenian companies pioneered and men evolved from recipients of Women Empowerment Principles by UN support to contributors of development Global Compact/UN Women and joined work, engaging in distribution of aid to global network of signatories; they also elderly, initiation of small-scale response progressed in implementation of their initiatives, psycho-social and humanitarian respective Actions Plans. support to spontaneously arriving people from NK. ‘I AM the Community’ Youth Solid basis for engendered public Leadership model graduates (27 women, administration (PA) system in Armenia 9 men) initiated and led democratic was set with UNDP’s support via comprehensive research on societal, initiatives or voluntarily responded to UNFPA’s global campaign #SheCounts, advocating for the value UNFPA’s global campaign #SheCounts, advocating for the the COVID-19 emergency. Their collective of women and girls and the end of harmful practices joined value of women and girls and the end of harmful practices structural, legal, and procedural aspects. by Director of Mediamax News Agency, Ara Tadevosyan. joined by Minister of Health, Arsen Torosyan. Comprehensive legal review of the civil force proposed 5 recommendation ©UNFPA Armenia/2020 ©UNFPA Armenia/2020 packages, with 51 points, to the GoA and service legislation (around 60 acts and Parliament on laws regarding local governance, political parties, documents) was completed and amendments to 6 normative acts volunteerism and two national programmes. UNICEF enhanced the were suggested to Civil Service Office of Armenia. Two pieces of capacities of over 2000 social workers, teachers, youth workers, 95% of research – on roles of men and women in the public sector and on which were women, working during the double-emergency situation. students’ aspiration to join the public sector revealed key issues of Overall, 6500 children (around 60% girls) and parents (predominantly concern in the country and proposed the list of recommendations/ mothers) benefitted from Mental Health and Psychosocial Support possible solutions, several of which will be prototyped by the Deputy (MHPSS) through individual and group interventions and general Prime Minister’s Office in 2021. awareness, and over 4500 children (over 60% girls) and parents benefitted from case management support. Within the response to Women empowerment was also at the core of UNFPA work in the needs of spontaneous arrivals from Nagorno Karabakh, affected 2020. More than 800 women in 3 regions of Armenia in vulnerable children and women in 10 target municipalities/hosting communities situations received services and consultation, more than 281 women were provided with access to critical child protection assistance and received legal advice, 10 women developed their entrepreneurship services, including psycho-social support. UNFPA mobilized resources skills, more than 100 women in vulnerable situations developed their to provide humanitarian support to people affected by the conflict skills and acquired new professions. Three new women resource in and around NK, with more than 2000 dignity kits provided to centers were created, and 27 women members of resource centers

42 were trained/coached in financial and organizational management. Teach for Armenia CSO, gender-responsive pedagogical methods Moreover, training was conducted for women with disabilities as well and practices were developed and will engage students in the small as necessary IT items were provided to ensure independent economic community-based initiatives for transforming gender stereotypes. opportunities for women with disabilities. UNFPA conducted a survey on gender-integrated military education and service with representatives of the command staff of 36 army In 2020, UNFPA efforts continued towards elimination of harmful units (200 interviews), including a needs assessment of the female practices, supporting the drafting and consultation on the domestic cadets regarding their study program and curricula in the context violence strategy and an action plan has been drafted and discussed of professional growth, career, and accomplishment. In cooperation within the Council on Prevention of Domestic Violence. UNFPA also with the Armenia Round Table Charitable Foundation, 28 priests and procured and operationalized the unified database which, for the 9 social workers were sensitized on the topics of gender stereotypes first time, will allow the government to collect electronic and secure and prejudices, as well as the psychological characteristics of data on cases of domestic violence in Armenia. Additionally, UNFPA discriminatory behavior derived from them. As a result, UN supported the upgrading of the innovative SafeYou mobile application awareness-raising reached 1451 people, including 460 young people, designed for prevention and reporting of DV/GBV cases. Victims of 250 newlyweds, 101 families, 640 soldiers. UNFPA also began working domestic violence, people with disabilities as well as people affected on the men engagement and responsible fatherhood activities in by the conflict in and around NK received 2020, developing the manual for Papa School as well as the manual psychological support via the upgraded and training package for health care providers. hotline functioning under the MoLSA due to support provided by UNFPA. With the goal of improving the child rights coordination and monitoring architecture, UNICEF supported the revision of the Law To improve the quality of services on the Rights of the Child. A close partnership with the Statistical for GBV-survivors and children Committee was continued, including support to the development of vulnerable to violence and abuse, disaggregated data on different aspects of child wellbeing reported UNICEF supported the establishment of a in the TransMonEE database. Support was provided also to national Helpline for the social service workforce systems for needs assessment in emergency situations. UNICEF (SSW) professionals. The capacities of the Armenia also kicked off communication for development and Child Protection Hotline were expanded edutainment initiatives building on the results of the experimental to receive alerts on 24/7 basis. Consistent research study on drivers of the prenatal sex selection conducted in joint advocacy and coordination with the partnership with the University of Zurich. Data collection efforts about state and non-governmental partners led situation of children were hindered significantly by the pandemic and to the establishment of support networks halted the planned preparation of the nationwide malnutrition study. at the community and regional level. This However, some of the funds were redirected towards a Vulnerability was facilitated by the social workers, which Assessment of families to socio-economic shocks caused by the UNFPA’s global campaign #SheCounts, advocating for the value of allowed provision of case management women and girls and the end of harmful practices joined by blogger, COVID-19 pandemic. vlogger, podcast host and internet security expert, Samvel Martirosyan. and psychosocial support in shelters, and ©UNFPA Armenia/2020 outreach to affected population settled The adoption of the Criminal Procedure Code introducing in communities. In cooperation with professional associations and forensic interviewing together with and development of a plan of CSOs, UNICEF introduced a new modality of continuous support to implementation of these amendments, brought these procedures SSW professionals – an online group psycho-social support (PSS), anti- in line with international standards. The Code foresees training burnout sessions and individual supervision, as well as professional and certification of forensic interviewer psychologists, as well as guidance through helpline and provision of coaching and mentoring. the introduction of training programmes in child-friendly legal aid This modality allowed for support to a wide number of professionals for advocates and public defenders at the Chamber of Advocates in a short timeframe, enhanced local mental health and PSS of Armenia. As a result of the partnership between UNICEF and capacity, and established support to networks of professionals at the Chamber, 200 advocates and public defenders (59% women, the community level, including hard-to-reach remote communities in 41% men) were trained and certified in child-friendly legal aid with borderline regions. particular focus on psychological aspects of working with girl and boy victims of different age groups. UN continued sensitizing around gender norms. Building on the results of the research on implicit and explicit bias leading to sex- selective abortions, UNICEF partnered with Public TV in addressing gender norms through edutainment series. In partnership with the

44 Outcome 4: By 2020, migration, border, No. of legislative amendments (2016): 0 (2020) 4 and asylum management systems are serving improved migration and strengthened to promote and protect asylum laws that are in line with international and regional standards the rights of migrants and displaced Availability of quality mechanisms (2016): No (2020) Yes people, especially women and girls. to secure effective referral to available services

Availability of an Integration (2016): No (2020) Yes strategy and action plan

Presence of an integrated and (2016): No (2020) Yes modernized border management system at 3 Border Crossing Points, in line with international IBM standards

Comprehensive and streamlined (2016): No (2020) Yes Counter-trafficking Assessment Tool is available for the government and non- government stakeholders in Armenia

Key Outcome-level Indicators Baseline Status

46 Implementation Progress: is designed with IOM support to advance infrastructure and support communities UNHCR continued enhancing protection to Capacity strengthening towards effective 2030 Agenda and accelerate implementation in reintegration of returning migrants and refugees, asylum-seekers and stateless border management and facilitation of of Armenia’s commitments under Global prevention of potential migration through persons in Armenia. UNHCR continued to trade and legal flow of people was part of Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular community engagement initiatives and collaborate with other UN Agencies to address UN work in 2020. UNHCR through its NGO Migration, Global Compact on Refugees, programs. With IOM support GoA launched statelessness and to advocate for the inclusion partner, the Armenian Red Cross Society 1951 Refuge Convention and 1967 Protocol. the development of a mechanism on voluntary of protection of stateless persons in their (ARCS), continued regular and systematic UNHCR and IOM also continued its assistance return from Armenia. IOM also contributed to activities in the implementation of the 2030 monitoring of six points of entry in Armenia to the GoA to finalize the development of the development of the referral mechanism Agenda for Sustainable Development. In the as well as capacity building to enhance the Comprehensive Integration Strategy for for all state and non-state structures involved legislative field, UNHCR interventions aimed knowledge and skills of Border Guard (BG) displaced persons and returnees. Priorities in reintegration of returnees in Armenia at ensuring that the Government initiatives in refugee law, practice, and procedures. of Armenia in the field of migration and in through development and periodic updates do not deviate from international obligations Together with ARCS, the Migration Service the context of the SDGs were examined of the Referral Guide for Reintegration of and reflect effective appropriate safeguards and the Human Rights Defender’s Office, five and the results of the comprehensive Returnees in Armenia. for refugees and asylum-seekers. UNHCR trainings were conducted remotely. UNHCR mapping exercise of Armenia’s migration prepared and shared with the authorities, closely collaborated with partners in the Inter- data sources including, recommendations Work permit issuance system in compliance official comments on and engaged in advocacy Agency Working Group (IAWG) on Protection on the enhancement of data collection with best international standards is being with respect to the following draft legislation: Sensitive Entry Systems to support the for migration-related SDG targets, were developed with IOM support to improve the (i) draft amendments to the Law on Refugees development of a comprehensive curriculum presented in Migration Data in the Context of labour market regulations for foreign workers and Asylum; (ii) drafts of new Criminal Code aimed at the capacity building of junior BGs. the 2030 Agenda: Measuring migration and in Armenia. Migrants rights and national and Criminal Procedural Code; (iii) draft Law An information leaflet for persons seeking development in Armenia report. The report capacities in protection of human rights of on Legal Assistance in Criminal Cases; (iv) asylum in Armenia was translated into 7 will serve as a basis to initiate a sustainable migrants in Armenia are enhanced. draft amendments to the Refugee Law and languages and published for distribution at monitoring process on achieved progress in the Administrative Procedure Code. borders. Capacity enhancement of Border the area of migration and development, to Guard Troops of National Security Service introduce sustainable mechanism for regular was supported by IOM, including the data collection and reporting on migration development of the related national training and development within the context of the system curricula, in line with the European 2030 Agenda. IOM also supported Armstat Union Sectoral Qualifications Framework to produce the Migration annual snapshot for Border Guarding. Curricula mainstreams of the Republic of Armenia. IOM supported gender equality topics and aims to the government in the preparation of the promote greater engagement of women in first voluntary national review on compliance Border Guard troops. IOM also continued and implementation of Global Compact for supporting the Government in Identity Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Expert Management, developing the general terms support was provided to the Government to and conditions, and drafting a contract establish Centre of Integration of migrants for Biometric Passports and Nationals ID in line with international standards and best Cards for the tender dossier in line with the international practices. The UNCT, under International Civil Aviation Organization the leadership of the RC agreed on the (ICAO) and International Organization for establishment of UN Migration Network Standardization (ISO) standards. in Armenia.

In 2020, UN continued supporting the To strengthen Diaspora engagement national migration governance efforts. and effective utilization of its intellectual IOM and UNHCR supported the Migration potential, knowledge and skills, IOM mapped Service of Armenia in the development of the professional diaspora representatives the State Migration Management Concept, and showcased the global best practices for providing recommendations on the draft diaspora engagement. Pilot on establishing concept to strengthen the quality of the mechanism for local development asylum procedures, voluntary return, and through diaspora engagement was initiated in Tavush region of Armenia at the request of Simplified procedures and reduced waiting times, modern infrastructure and equipment, and improved security – these are only a few of the complementary pathway. The new concept advantages that the new Border Crossing Points in Bagratashen, Bavra and Gogavan provide to citizens of Armenia within the framework Tavush Governor’s Administration to establish of the EU and EIB funded and UNDP implemented project on Modernisation of Bagratashen, Bavra and Gogavan BCPs of Armenia. of state migration management in Armenia ©UNDP Armenia

48 UNDAF Pillar III: Social Services and Inclusion

First day of schools, 14 September, reopening amidst COVID-19. ©UNICEF Armenia/2020/Galstyan Outcome indicator: %. Of schools 45 (2015) 90% delivering quality life-skills education with adequately trained teachers Outcome 5: By 2020, vulnerable groups and sufficient financial resources have improved access to basic education Outcome indicator: % of children with 23 (2012) 32% disabilities using rehabilitation services and social protection services and participate in their communities. Outcome indicator: % of primary- 12 (2014) 42% (588 schools) grade schools covered under the National school feeding programme

Outcome Indicator: % of extremely poor 66 (2013) 76.2% families reached by family benefits

Outcome indicator: Availability of a No (2015) In progress – data collection and monitoring system the integrated to track access to social protection social protection services for vulnerable groups management system is being developed.

Outcome indicator: No of children 3,000 (2014) 6,708 with special education needs enrolled in inclusive schools

Key Outcome-level Indicators Baseline Results/Status 2020

52 several models of school feeding to ensure to support 6,500 children with SEN, including access to adequate and nutritious food. CWD. The new Law on Preschool Education WFP set up a shock responsive school feeding was endorsed initiating the drafting of sub- cash safety net for more than 26,600 children legislation emphasizing inclusive and quality for two months while additionally delivering pre-school education. alternative take home rations to almost 53,900 children and 1300 cooks. Prior to COVID-19, in Capacities of over 2000 social workers, line with the hand over process, WFP provided teachers, youth workers were enhanced with cash transfers to schools for preparations UNICEF support to work in double-emergency of school meals for 12,200 children for situation and provide MHPSS to vulnerable January and February 2020. WFP supported population. Overall, 6,500 children and parents renovations of school kitchens and benefitted from MHPSS through individual and canteens. In total, 101 schools were renovated group interventions and general awareness, and received non-food items for setting up and over 4,500 children and parents kitchens. Despite closures of school canteens, benefitted from case management support WFP continued to build capacity of 207 cooks within the response to the needs of refugee- through targeted nutrition trainings and held like population, affected children and women 25 public nutrition events throughout the in host communities. UNICEF also supported year. WFPin close coordination with UNESCO, establishment of a Helpline for social service First day of schools, 15 September, reopening under COVID-19. ©UNICEF Armenia/2020/Galstyan Ministry of Health and MoESCS, finalized workforce professionals. The GoA approved the development of subjects for integrating the 2020-2023 Consolidated Programme for Implementation Progress: online learning solutions. To address these nutrition into the education curriculum at all Implementation of the Right of the Child In 2020, the onset of COVID-19 pandemic challenges and improve quality access to grade levels. to Live in a Family and a relevant timetable, and military hostilities in and around NK education, UNICEF, with Global Partnership which will serve as a guiding document for created new challenges, needs and priorities, for Education (GPE) financial support and in UNICEF supported unprecedented Second the reform of family-based care system and impacting people and communities and partnership with the Ministry of Education, General Education Conference (EdCamp) for further reallocation of state funding reversing gains made in poverty reduction Science, Culture, and Sports (MoESCS) and was fully conducted online due to COVID-19 from residential to alternative care options, and human development. Responding to National Center of Educational Technologies outbreak and became first online conference as well as further expansion of coverage of the immediate needs of the most vulnerable (NCET), contributed to the establishment of a in Armenia providing a unique opportunity to community-based support services. UNICEF and new emerging groups in this context national Distance Learning Center. Also, about teachers to gain and share new knowledge provided 1500 packages of at-home art required re-visiting and reprioritization of 400 video lessons accessible for children with and experience for improved quality kits for adolescents along with community- regular programmatic interventions, agile hearing impairments were broadcasted, 3 education in the country. It became a platform based psychosocial services and provision of and adaptive thinking, flexible working online courses for teachers on digital tools for participatory policymaking – policy essential life-saving skills for adolescents in arrangements at times of lockdown, as and pedagogy were developed and uploaded discussions on distance learning, preschool vulnerable life-circumstances, including those well as development and implementation onto the e-school website. As a result, 80% of and inclusive education, and presentation affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the of emergency response plans. Various UN teachers and parents reported satisfaction of the national curriculum reform were conflict in and around Nagorno-Karabakh. coordination mechanisms were put in place to from NCET distance learning. UNICEF, in live-streamed, reaching on average 37,000 ensure progress on sustainable development partnership with the Step-by Step benevolent participants and largely shaped further Advancements were made on the draft at times of the pandemic, thus contributing foundation, established 11 early learning adjustments to distance learning. Labour and Social Protection Sector to the development-humanitarian nexus and corners in temporary shelters and communal Development Strategy and Action Plan leaving no one behind, focusing on social buildings for displaced mixed age group Additionally, UNICEF supported the 2020-2025 as joint comments were provided protection and education continuity during children 0-6. The corners have facilitated development and costing of the by development partners (World Bank, EU) COVID-19, and protection/child protection, play based early learning and developmental comprehensive list of services disaggregated and UN agencies (WFP, ILO, IOM, UNHCR) education, and cash support as inter-agency activities for around 240 young children, by types of disability, age groups and within UN coordination. Inputs focused response to conflict. allowing displaced mothers to engage in agencies responsible for service delivery. The on the linkages to COVID-19 response and income generation activities. new electronic system of SEN assessment recovery. Partners prioritized a better shock- The pandemic caused interruption of was finalized to become a module in the responsiveness of social protection system, education for all children and youth, putting In response to closure of school kitchens, Education Management Information System inclusion of emerging vulnerable groups, children with special education needs (SEN) uneven access to on site education and (EMIS). Technical expertise was provided as well as costing of interventions. World and disability at a particular disadvantage restrained access to face-to-face learning to the RPPC to improve the accessibility of Bank and UNICEF recommendations on the and highlighting the importance of digital and by lower grade school children, WFP applied distance learning resources and instruction joint Core Diagnostic of the Social Protection

54 Homeschooling: life amidst COVID-19. To mitigate the sufferings of the displaced population and help them cope with the adverse socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 emergency ©UNICEF Armenia/2020/Babajanyan on their livelihoods, UNHCR initiated a prompt and targeted humanitarian support by providing one-time multi-purpose cash assistance to 507 extremely vulnerable displaced persons, including refugees, asylum-seekers and displaced Syrian families seeking protection in Armenia. The family of George and Ani Hakobeans were among the households benefiting from UNHCR’s emergency cash assistance. System, including internationally recognized improving access to social protection ©UNHCR Armenia/2020/Hayrapetyan definition of social protection, lifecycle, and services, non-food items, food security and care services were provided to elderly PoC Soft skills of 10 young people living in human rights-based approach, were partially livelihoods for vulnerable populations. WFP without family care. Psycho-social assistance Shirak region were developed through included in the draft Strategy. supported the Berd community establishing 2 included individual and group therapy sessions. internship programmes, which increased home grown school feeding pilots as well as An Advocacy and Mainstreaming WG with their competitiveness and decent job With UNICEF support and in collaboration a collection center and a greenhouse to serve participation of all relevant stakeholders was opportunities in the labor market. Skills with World Vision and USAID, Yerevan community. In total, 60 local producers were developed and regularly adjusted strategies of around 90 adolescents in refugee-like City Council approved the reform of the trained, and 15 farmers received additional for inclusion of vulnerable PoC in public situation in Shirak region were built on first child and social protection system, which support in the form of seeds and fertilizers. services and social protection programmes. response in emergency situations, first aid includes the introduction of community social The amount of new land cultivated was 18ha and media literacy, while their mothers learnt workers, psychologists in all 12 administrative for peas, beans, and lentils. An expert review of the online module of positive parenting which strengthened their districts of the City, local social planning, etc., the RH section of the school-based “Healthy resilience and capabilities to be effective and allocating financial resources from the In 2020, UNHCR continued its cash and non- lifestyle” training course to the needs of humanitarian actors. Hygiene kits and community budget for needs-based social cash support to extremely vulnerable students with disabilities was conducted guidance on state support programs were support programmes for vulnerable groups persons of concern (PoC). In total, 580 with UNFPA to enhance the development provided to 50 families in Shirak UNFPA of the population. vulnerable PoC (977 family members) received of solid knowledge and healthy attitudes ensured continuity of rehabilitation services financial support to meet their household of adolescents with disabilities towards for 150 adolescents with mental disabilities As part of conflict related crisis response, rental, winterization, school, and other acute reproductive health. UNFPA also contributed by the provision of PPEs through “Source” UNDP and IOM provided non-food items protection needs. 852 PoC were provided to state educational reform and liaised with and “Step forward” NGOs, working with support per Government request to a number with cash assistance to address increased MoESCS and other partners to make sure that adolescents with disabilities. of shelters to allow hosting of spontaneous vulnerabilities due to dual crises in the country. healthy lifestyle education is prioritized and is arrival groups. In addition, and as a long- Humanitarian assistance, including food and part of the new educational standards. Capacities of the Y-peer Armenia network term planning under recovery nexus UNDP non-food items, was provided to 573 extremely were built on the provision of basic PSS also supported through strengthening vulnerable PoC. UNFPA supported digitalization of clinical in emergencies. UNFPA and Y-peer joint capacities and infrastructures for physical guidelines and protocols on adolescents’ project supported education continuity for and psychosocial rehabilitation of veterans. Additionally, a total of 3883 PoC accessed reproductive health and strengthened the 100 adolescents in refugee-like situation in a wide range of social services. The social capacity of service providers in evidence- Armavir region through provision of school UNDP, UNICEF, WFP, IOM, UNIDO and FAO workers referred and accompanied PoC to based quality health services to adolescents. supplies and basic psychosocial support. jointly increased human security in target various state institutions to ensure access to communities by promoting resilience and their rights and state services. Home-based

56 Outcome 6: By 2020, quality health services are accessible to all, including especially vulnerable groups. Outcome indicator: Infant Baseline: 10.8 (2012) 7.3 (2020) mortality rate per 1,000

Outcome indicator: % of children Baseline: 93 (2014) 95 (2020) under 1 fully immunized

Outcome indicator: Stunting level Baseline: 19 (2010) 9.4 (2015-16) in girls and boys under five (boys: 20, girls 18) boys: 10.9, girls: 7.8

Outcome indicator: Prevalence of Baseline: 27% 28% (DHS 2015- modern contraceptive methods (poorest 20% 2016), latest among women (15-49) quintile of the available data population, to 21.1% of the lowest be set in 2015) wealth quintile

Outcome indicator: Mortality Baseline: 441 (2012) 575.4 per 100,000 population due to cardiovascular diseases

Key Outcome-level Indicators Baseline Result/Status 2020

58 Implementation Progress: surge of cases during the first and the In 2020, the priorities under the Outcome second wave of the epidemic; procured considerably shifted given the burden of large amounts of biomedical equipment COVID-19 on the health system. Under (oxygen concentrators, patient monitors, WHO’s technical leadership, UN agencies ECGs, ultrasounds, X-rays), diagnostics joined efforts with the Government and (tests and lab consumables), and PPE other national stakeholders to ensure that (gowns, respirators). WHO’s surge support the limited resources of the health system helped alleviate the health consequences of the conflict which included coordination

UNICEF staff delivering critical hygiene supplies to the Displaced Syrian women produce non-medical masks to help host A mission of doctors and healthcare professionals arrived in Armenia from Germany by a special plane to support Armenia in the fight against Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to protect children communities prevent COVID-19 by joining the global mask production #COVID19. The mission was organized by the German Federal Government, within the framework of the EU “Team Europe” programme, in living in 7 residential care institutions and their staff. initiative introduced by UNHCR and its partner MADE51. cooperation with the ISAR Germany (International Search and Rescue), “Caritas International”, the Robert Koch Institute and WHO. ©UNICEF Armenia/2020/Galstyan ©UNHCR Armenia/2020/Hayrapetyan ©European Union in Armenia COVID-19. Moreover, maternity hospitals’ provide maximum benefit for the affected of the health sector and MHPSS partners disaster readiness was assessed. As per the With World Health Organization’s (WHO) population. The military hostilities in and and procurement of medical supplies, request of MoH, more than 2,000,000 PPEs support, the new national tobacco control around NK put additional pressure on equipment, and medications to treat trauma were procured and distributed to all maternity law was developed and adopted by the the already overstretched health system. and to provide essential health services to hospitals and consultations were held with National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Responding to those needs required the refugee-like population from NK. women to ensure safe continuation of in 2020. Armenia was also selected as one of mobilizing additional resources, reprioritizing maternity services to pregnant women. nine countries worldwide to receive dedicated existing resources in line with emergency Moreover, UNICEF was one of the major actors Emergency reproductive health (RH) kits international support from the United Nations response plans, health sector coordination in responding to the nutritional needs of were provided to 12 maternal hospitals in in Phase II of the Framework Convention and cooperation among partners. refugee-like children and women. Based Armenia that provide services both to people on Tobacco Control’s (FCTC) 2030 project on the findings and the recommendations living in bordering regions of Armenia and led by the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC. A WHO provided essential support to the of the UN joint need assessment, 5000 food persons in refugee-like situation. Additionally, tobacco control needs assessment, and an Ministry of Health (MoH) in health system packages, consisting of 14 food items, were six trainings on MISP for medical staff and investment case were conducted jointly strengthening to respond to the dual provided to refugee-like young children to rescuers in 3 communities of Vayots Dzor with the national Government, UNDP, the crisis, including country level coordination, ensure the variety of their daily menus in- marz were conducted. Convention Secretariat and WHO. Armenia risk communication, case management, line with the national recommendations. To implemented the WHO FCTC with positive laboratory, infection prevention and control, sustain the achievements in breastfeeding Per the request of MoH, UNAIDS supported health and economic outcomes benefitting surveillance, points of entry, continuity of (BF) and to avoid negative consequences a study on COVID-19 antibodies among people of Armenia. Further strengthening health services, vaccines, procurement and of breast-milk substitutes (BMS) usage medical workers in Armenia with the joint and accelerating of the implementation of the logistics. National guidance materials were in emergencies, the Standard Operation collaboration with the American University WHO FCTC in Armenia will be a key driver in developed for each pillar, followed by trainings Procedures of regulation of BMS distribution of Armenia. A mobile clinic was established achieving the health aims of the Sustainable and dissemination of risk communication and BF support were developed by UNICEF to increase state laboratory capacities in Development Goals by 2030 and the most materials. Following the response assessment and accepted as a rule of conduct by all diagnosing COVID-19. effective remedy for the tobacco epidemic. missions, recommendations were provided agencies engaged in food/nutrition response. to strengthen response across all pillars. Apart from large-scale emergency response UNICEF and the MOH continued efforts WHO facilitated the Emergency Medical UNFPA supported the development of activities, several advancements were made towards implementation of the National Child Teams’ arrival from different countries two new clinical guidelines and updated by UN agencies as part of their regular Injury and Trauma Prevention Strategy. including Germany, Italy, Lithuania, UK to four guidelines, including the guideline on development programming. Modules and guidelines on child injury help Armenian health workers manage management of pregnant patients with

60 from 16 polyclinics of Yerevan were engaged target for Armenia increased to 75-83-88 for in trainings to improve the capabilities of the all ages and 75-85-93 for women from 15 and testing and counseling performance skills. older compared to the baseline of 67-67-85. The social media campaign was expanded in Resource centers for the prevention of light of the dual crises, including provision HIV infection among adolescents and of targeted information and messages on young people have been functioning using migrant rights, on MHPSS and Covid-19 various information technologies (Internet, pandemic, reaching up to 60,000 persons per

In partnership with The Coca-Cola Foundation, UNDP procured 1 mobile X Ray and 3 portable With the support of WHO, the Ministry of Health of Armenia “Do not guess, get tested” campaign launched by the Ministry Sonoscape-ultrasounds for the Ministry of Health of Armenia to fight COVID-19. and British Embassy five doctors and nurses arrived in of Health, the Yerevan Municipality and UNAIDS Armenia. ©UNDP Armenia/2020 Armenia from the United Kingdom to support Armenian All polyclinics are now providing free, anonymous, and fast healthcare workers in managing severe COVID-19 cases. testing for HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B and C in Yerevan. prevention were developed and adopted recommendations, national standards on ©WHO Armenia ©NIH Armenia by MOH as national standards. Based on prevention of anemia among pregnant women those Standards, capacities of more than 250 and lactating mothers was developed. It was social networks, etc.). With UNAIDS support, month. The campaign has more than 152000 primary health workers were strengthened used for enhancing the capacities of over communities of women worked in 5 regions engagements in social media platforms. to provide parents of young children with 300 gynecologists, obstetricians, and family of the country to reduce the vulnerability of effective counselling, including during home doctors working in primary health facilities women to HIV and increase their motivation Importantly, the SDG Innovation Lab visits and parental sessions organized in and maternity wards; who can now assess the to undergo HIV testing. Peer-to-peer workers successfully completed a behavioral primary healthcare facilities. UNICEF further relevant needs, provide effective counselling conducted work with 950 representatives experiment which increased the take-up rate supported efforts on implementation of and prevent/address anemia for more than of their communities, mainly with partners of cervical cancer screening service by 320%. a universal-progressive home visiting 7,000 pregnant women and lactating mothers of labor migrants, as well as with the As a result, the communication strategy of the system at the primary healthcare level. This annually. Jointly with the National Institute migrants themselves. During 13 visits of cancer screening programs was improved included the establishment of a supportive of Health, UNICEF further enhanced data the mobile medical team, 353 beneficiaries to embrace the recommended behavioral community environment for home visiting reporting and analyzing system on child were provided with counseling and testing insights. Additionally, in partnership with services, capacity building of community nutrition: special reporting forms on BF and services for HIV, hepatitis B, C, and syphilis. the Ministry of Health and private sector, stakeholders on basic principles of home child nutrition status were developed and Armenia SDG Innovation Lab and UNDP visiting system, and on the importance of the introduced to ensure data collection from all IOM initiated a multi-media information launched “Barev Balik project” which will role those visits play in ensuring collaborative health facilities. and communication campaign, aiming to modernize the maternal and child health actions of health and other community-based enhance prevention and detection of HIV/ services through development of a unified services in addressing the needs of children In 2020, with UNAIDS support, peer-to- AIDS and improve UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets portal and mobile applications as well as and their families. peer consultants conducted work with for Armenia through promotion of healthy introduction of evidence-based and human- 8670 community representatives, mainly habits among urban labour migrants and centered approaches to policymaking. UNICEF and the MoH continued efforts partners of labor migrants, as well as with mobile population. As a result, the UNAIDS towards addressing maternal nutrition the migrants themselves. During 100 visits of issues. Based on the situation analysis the mobile medical team, 2300 beneficiaries and international recommendations, a were provided with counseling and testing National Plan of Actions on Improvement of services for HIV, hepatitis B, C and syphilis. Maternal Nutrition was developed, creating 154 medical workers improved competencies a comprehensive framework for further in the management skills of the tuberculosis, interventions. In-line with WHO and UNICEF viral hepatitis B and C. 217 medical workers

62 UNDAF Pillar IV: Environmental sustainability and resilience-building

One of UNICEF’s UPSHIFT winners, team GyumRiver, cleaning kilograms of dirt and debris from the Gyumri river and surrounding area. ©UNICEF Armenia/2019/Publicis Outcome 7: By 2020 Sustainable Number of innovative tools/approaches (2016): 0 (2020) 24 introduced to promote environmental development principles and good sustainability and resilience principles practices for environmental sustainability Number of communities benefiting (2016): 0 (2020) 105 resilience building, climate change from innovative disaster risk reduction/ adaptation and mitigation, and green resilience measures and practices economy are introduced and applied. Number of hectares of rehabilitated (2016): 0 (2020) 97,741 landscapes and areas demonstrating sustainable use practices

Number of policy documents/legal (2016): 0 (2020) 8 acts for, and CO2 equivalent emission reduction from application of climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Number of people and enterprises (2016): 0 (2020) 2140 (1156 benefiting from application of green women; 984 men) technologies and green jobs 42 green technologies

Key Outcome-level Indicators Baseline Status

66 Implementation Progress: prepared recommendations to MoESCS were rehabilitated in Armenia with UNDP In 2020, UNDAF Outcome on Climate, on integrated curricula and learning on support. Five hundred households and 120 Environment and Resilience has substantively climate change, disaster risk reduction, and farmers directly benefited from rehabilitated progressed towards the targets, despite the environmental issues. UNICEF in collaboration forests and around 1000 ha of pastures were compound crisis in Armenia. Still, a number of with ADA advocated for eco-efficiency during returned to sustainable management mode. policy and regulatory documents developed the lockdown, providing young people and The GoA was equipped with an evidence- with support of the UN, including the updated caregivers with tips on using less paper, based model for calculation of the national saving water, energy, reducing plastic waste Greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory in land use Nationally Determined Contributions to Environment protection activities were carried out in Shengavit and improving air at home. Around 111,066 district of Yerevan by UNHCR Armenia, the KAZA Swiss and forestry sectors. New generation Forest United Nations Framework Convention Humanitarian Foundation, Youth Coalition - group of local and people were reached through digital channels. refugee youth, and the Shengavit district administration. Management Plans were introduced in 6 on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Armenia’s ©UNHCR Armenia/2019 The safety of children attending schools in Forest Enterprises, pending formal approval National Adaptation Plan, the Decree on in Ararat, Armavir, Aragatsotn, Lori, Shirak, Coordination Council for Implementation of disaster-prone and borderline communities of the GoA. A pre-feasibility assessment and was enhanced through strengthening the Vayots Dzor regions; increasing Armenia’s related recommendation package equipped UNFCCC, regulatory package on Community Hydrometeorological Service (AHS) technical Energy Management System, Amendment to capacity of school administrators and teachers the GoA with evidence-based information on school disaster management planning and capabilities to cover 60% of the country over the alternative waste disposal options. the Law on Management of Multi-Apartment territory. Observation and Geographic Buildings and Forest Management Plans, are incorporating COVID-19 preparedness and To support climate data management, GHG response into the school planning process. Information System (GIS) mapping capacities reduction potential for different development pending the Government’s approval delayed of the AHS and Monitoring Center of the due to disruption of national governance scenarios was assessed for the Energy sector. Children in most at-risk communities of Ministry of Environment were enhanced systems and diversion of focus from through equipment upgrade and knowledge environmental issues. Armenia benefitted from GoA’s investments Two behavioural experiments were on comprehensive school safety due to building; further developing the capacity successfully completed aimed at (i) increasing UNICEF’s technical assistance, policy of 36 specialists with skills and knowledge tax compliance in Armenia and (ii) reducing In 2020, three legislative packages on the use of satellite remote sensing data were developed to inform the national support and advocacy. The school safety the consumption of plastic bags. For the tax assessment and PF4C carried out by UNICEF in the process of assessing and forecasting experiment, five types of notifications were coordination system and strategic the vulnerability of water resources and framework for the long-term climate led to adaptation of the 15-year Programme tested on 28,503 SMEs operating under on School Seismic Safety Improvement and evapotranspiration as well as forest turnover tax regime. E-mail notifications risk informed policymaking, including: management and disaster risk mitigation. i) update of the Armenian Nationally State Budget Programme on Safer Schools, increased the average turnover declarations including principles of inclusiveness, safety, Besides, technical capacities of the Training among SMEs by 13.7% and tax declarations by Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Centre of AHS were improved. Twelve pick- Paris Agreement; ii) Armenia’s Framework energy/resource efficiency. Advocacy by 10.6% in the whistleblowing threat treatment adolescents with senior government officials up tracks were equipped with fire-fighting compared to the control treatment. The latter National Adaptation Plan to advance Medium equipment ensuring accessibility of response and Long-Term Adaptation Planning; iii) on draft general education and subject experiment succeeded in decreasing plastic standards on climate, environment, and teams and technical capacities in remote bag consumption by 33% (against the control coordination mechanism on the Inter-agency regions. Through the ImpactAim platform Coordination Council on Climate Change. disaster risk education, led to incorporation group). As a result of these experiments, of their recommendations on 21st century UNDP ran 4 thematic Accelerator programs policy recommendations were generated The Fourth National Communication process addressing SDG related challenges, including was supported, and inputs were submitted skills and child-centered learning into the and communicated to the GoA as evidence revised curricula. on energy efficiency and renewable energy. for decision-making, as well as for replication to the UNFCCC Secretariat by the GoA in As a result, more than 700 beneficiaries May 2020. The National Greenhouse Gas and scaling potential. The development of Innovative climate change and disaster- improved their knowledge and skills and 31 the SDG Monitor online platform kicked off Inventory Report for the years 1990-2017, as startups developed targeted solutions for a basis for evidence-based decision making, risk reduction measures were applied to in 2020, offering real-time SDG 16 progress enhance community resilience. As such, the development challenges to be deployed monitoring and AI-powered innovative was also developed and approved by the and scaled in 2021. GoA. Facilitation support was provided for 4 consolidated communities of Amasia, solutions to measure SDG 16.7.2. In parallel Alaverdi, Berd and Tumanyan developed with collecting data from 8 institutions, 30 the Nationally Determined Contributions In 2020, scalable innovative evidence- Partnership Plan implementation. and approved Community Resilience Action profiles of current and former officials, 45,000 Plans and Disaster Risk Management Plans, based tools, knowledge and approaches posts and 469,264 comments, as well as 2,226 were introduced to inform decision-making To strengthen resilience and engagement as well as established Community Resilience draft legal acts were studied and analyzed Teams. Twenty-nine Early Warning Systems over the conservation and sustainable from Facebook and E-draft. of children at local and national levels, use of natural resources. As a result, the a coordination platform was established, were installed in these communities, supporting their integration into the nation- annual target for restoration of degraded To support evidence-based policy-making represented by GoA, UNICEF and the Austrian ecosystems was exceeded by 750 ha Development Agency (ADA) to develop wide Early Warning network. To support and transboundary cooperation in the disaster and climate risk management, 23 against 1311 ha planned. Overall, 5682 ha Khrami-Debed basin draft guidance document a framework for adolescent-led climate of destroyed mountain forest ecosystems change education and activities. The platform automatic weather stations were installed for the joint transboundary monitoring

68 program was prepared by United Nations buildings in regions of Armenia. A total of with overall 200 kW capacity in Goris, Tegh part of the overall effort. Particularly, as part Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) 406 families benefited from alternative solar communities of Syunik region and Akunq of EU4Environment Project, UNIDO launched and shared with responsible monitoring energy systems in rural areas. As a result of community of Kotayk region. Savings, the monitoring of Regional Comprehensive agencies in Armenia and Georgia. Pilot joint this, around 1,223,200 kWh of “green energy” accumulated from the operation of the Economic Partnership (RECP) results in monitoring took place in September 2020, will be generated annually by solar system, PV systems, will be directed by beneficiary 10 companies as well as supported the while support to harmonization of legislation reducing 536 tons of CO2 eq. emissions. communities for subsidizing utility bills government in the implementation of the with 5 EU Water Directives according to the Energy passports for six different multifamily of hosting families or facilities. Local Global Environmental Conventions. As part CEPA implementation roadmap was provided. apartment buildings were developed as a Governments also benefited from the UNDP of the Global Environment Facility GEF- On 10 July 2020, the Minister of Environment measured baseline for existing buildings, reimbursement of 1-month utility bills for unded project, 2000 pieces of equipment Decree was officially adopted on “Ensuring and for 3 of them as the tool for monitoring 64 facilities hosting spontaneous arrivals in potentially contaminated by PCB were the implementation of the water quality and of energy consumption. With the aim to Syunik region. Besides, 65 Families/400 people identified and inventoried,2000 oil samples resources management area of the road map support the MABs’ management bodies, a in 6 shelters benefited from access to heat were screened, and GC/ECD analysis was of implementation of CEPA”. Amendments concept note on MABs’ Resource Centers has and hot water due to 12 solar heaters. Around launched. Institutional Strengthening to the Water Code were initiated. Capacity- been developed and shared with the GoA. 30 families in Lori region received 60 tons of of the National Ozone Unit targeted building workshop on data solutions for Moreover, to capacitate communities with biomass-based briquette fuel for heating. monitoring and reduction of ODS evidence-based policy and stakeholder the efficient management system for energy consumption, and efficient and timely data collaboration identified key elements needed consumption, “Guideline on Introduction A total of 16,026 people (6,931 men, 9,095 collection, reporting, supervision. UNIDO to develop data solutions to support energy of Energy Management System and Energy women) became direct beneficiaries of also supported Amasia Wool Factory (Shirak transition of buildings for Armenia, based on Manager’s Institute” in communities was the ongoing 23 projects directed towards region) on application of innovations and the case study of the respective territory and developed, piloted, and shared with the sustainable consumption and production. renewable technologies in agro-processing insights from international experience. relevant state and municipal authorities. As such, over 65 kW PV and 68 solar thermal sector by equipping the factory with a solar systems were installed and 510 LED lamps water heater, which is expected to expand for street lighting were replaced, ensuring up the processing volumes, significantly reduce to 70% of energy saving in 12 communities. production cost of the yarn, and make the Fifteen public charging stations for Electric final product more competitive in the local Vehicles (EV) were installed in 8 regions. and international markets. Additionally, four Green Technologies Education Centers for Young Practitioners Green solutions were high on WFP agenda became operational in Lori, Shirak, Tavush as well. In 2020, WFP supported nine small and Gegharkunik regions. Outdoor pavilions scale agri-businesses with installation of were also installed, allowing discontinued solar stations. Thanks to solar stations small educational process for over 70 students; scale farmers faced lower production costs, UNIDO supported Amasia Wool Factory (Shirak region) on application UN RC Shombi Sharp and Anna Hakobyan, Chair of the Board of Trustees of innovations and renewable technologies in agro-processing of My Step Foundation, participated in a clean-up event organized by the and 2 innovations on green energy solutions greater post-harvest processing, increased sector by equipping the factory with a solar water heater. Foundation and the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure ©UNIDO Armenia within the framework of the “Plastic free Armenia” programme. were replicated and scaled-up through state profit margins and better competitiveness ©My Step Foundation subventions in 7 communities of Lori region. in the market. Importantly, solar generated electricity can be transformed into monetary 2020 interventions encompassed low carbon Upscaling of energy-efficient street lighting Generation of “Green” jobs was another value and used to fund other needs in the and “green economy” initiatives. Among activities was ensured in partnership with the focus of UN attention: In 2020, 29 women and community. For example, in Shirak 33% of others, the NDC update document was Yerevan Municipality. As a result, about 860 t 47 men benefited from green jobs resulted the generated electricity was sold and used submitted to the government with appropriate CO2eq. emissions were reduced in Yerevan from community-based small grants activities to fund the school feeding programme. In justification of greenhouse emissions due to installation of 3274 LED luminaries in in clime-smart agriculture, agri-processing 2020, WFP launched the school agriculture targets until 2030. As a basis for effective ten main streets and two districts. and eco-tourism. Besides, around 250 local project that would see 39 schools selected to public resource allocation mechanisms, people benefited from temporary jobs by receive food production infrastructure in the climate tagging and budget performance UNDP facilitated access to affordable and engagement in forest and pasture restoration form of greenhouses, intensive orchards with assessment were piloted in Armenia. To green energy sources of municipalities activities; while 21 persons got permanent fruit drying, and berry gardens with freezing promote energy efficiency (EE) in buildings, hosting spontaneous arrivals from Nagorno employment in a community biomass-based technology. Beyond the provision of green a regulatory framework was upgraded and Karabakh through deployment of green fuel production facility and two small agro- houses and solar panels, the communities incentives for EE retrofits were included into emergency energy solutions. Joint efforts of processing units established by UNDP. and implementing partners also had access State Subvention Program. As a result, $20 UNDP’s on-going initiatives, complemented to technical expertise and trainings related million was allocated from state budget and by the UNDP crisis response fund, resulted The production of greener products and to green solutions. retrofitting works started in 32 residential in installation of 3 photovoltaic systems circular economy policies and practices were

70 2.3. Support to Partnerships and Financing the 2030 Agenda

To promote SDG integration and sustainable the offices of the two deputy prime ministers the country through consultations over the investing in the context of the Decade of has been instrumental for needs assessment UNSDCF and EU Multi-annual Programming Action, UNCT strengthened the interagency and channelling support. Document (MIP) 2021-2027. cooperation through new joint programmes, successfully mobilizing funds from the Through Multi-Sector Response Groups, Within the interagency response to the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, Joint UNCT supported the Government to ensure impact of the escalation of hostilities in and SDG Fund, and others. access to online education by provision of around NK, in total, 85 partners joined forces electronic devices, strengthening instruction to provide support to people in a refugee-like UN Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund in distance learning through supporting the situation in need of humanitarian aid, including has been instrumental in elevating the development of individualised education 15 UN agencies, 32 international NGOs, 26 implementation of Joint programmes in UNCT plans development, disaster risk management national NGOs, three intergovernmental Armenia. The collaboration of the agencies capacity development in kindergartens and organisations, three government entities and under the overall coordination and guidance pre-schools, nutrition sensitive food/cash six international organizations. This Inter- of the Office of the Resident Coordinator transfers to vulnerable populations and Agency Response Plan (IA-RP) brings together (UNRCO) resulted in two successful project importantly, and a range of initiatives have 35 appealing partners. submissions aimed at marginalizing the been taken to strengthen security, stability impact of COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable and resilience in bordering communities. The multi-agency joint programme on SDG groups and empowering women to build financing within its portfolio of new projects back better. In collaboration with other development enabled better targeting towards 2030 partners, regional infrastructure was Agenda. It provided versatile and innovative In 2020 for Socio-economic response and strengthened, and support was provided to elements to the overall COVID-19 recovery plan recovery purposes, along with projects capacitate SMEs most severely hit by COVID-19 and SDG implementation. Using analytical reprogramming of $8,325,730 in total, UNCT pandemic, aiming at skills development, approaches such as the Development Finance in Armenia, under RC leadership, mobilized employment generation, as well as income Assessment and the Integrated National in total $15,474,164 for 38 new projects generating opportunities for women and Financial Framework, the UN in Armenia aimed at mitigating and building back better older people from vulnerable groups. The embarked on supporting the GoA in optimizing from the COVID-19 socio-economic impact. International Monetary Fund provided its public finance management frameworks Resource mobilization strategy hinged on: valuable policy expertise that informed the and foster complementary policymaking for UNCT Multi-Sector Response efforts and more effective targeting of foreign direct • expanding and deepening relations with contributed substantially to the development investments and oversees development aid country-based development partners and operationalisation of the SERRP as a co- for a green and resilient recovery and ac • diversifying the donor base lead agency of SERRP Pillar 4. accelerated progress towards the SDGs. • strategizing on communication and ensuring donor visibility During the COVID-19 pandemic and the escalation of the hostilities in and around NK, EU continued to be an instrumental partner As part of this effort, substantive support for the UN. WHO partnered with EU to support was provided to GoA to strengthen COVID-19 the healthcare system struggling with the response coordination, monitoring of virus pandemic. EU and UN continue collaboration transmission, capacity enlargement for testing and support the GoA in developing the Mid- and treatment, as well as for the enhancement Term Recovery Plan vis-à-vis country recovery of healthcare facilities, risk communication from the consequences of Covid-19. The EU and data collection for more targeted and UN are also aligning the priorities for response. In this regard, collaboration with long-term programmatic engagement in

72 2.4 Results of the UN working more and better together: UN coherence, effectiveness and efficiency

In the second year of UN reform, the UNCT empowerment (GEWE) in the UNSDCF. As part 2016-2020 UNDAF but they will sign the 2021- has been steadily adopting ‘new generation’ of the IGTG contribution, the development of 2025 UNSDCF and deliver across its results as approaches. Several notable areas include: the stand-alone outcome as well as support to UNCT members for the new cycle. the integration of GEWE in the other UNSDCF • Common Country Analysis (CCA) – UNSDCF outcomes was coordinated. According to • SDG implementation, strategic financing, – UNCT Configuration Continuum: the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard and partnerships annual progress report for 2020, the UNSDCF To develop a new generation CCA, RCO exceeds the minimum requirements, visibly To foster integrated policy solutions and to tapped into the expertise and capacities mainstreaming GEWE across all outcome areas enable evidence-based advice to national available across the entire UN System, with and having a dedicated outcome on GEWE. government, UNCT continued strengthening more than 15 UN entities contributing to the the national SDG planning and statistical collective analysis of the country’s situation. UN entities’ country programming capacity (e.g., ArmStat & SDG Lab). Specific To have a holistic assessment on who is instruments were developed in line with support was provided to the Government being left behind and why, the CCA drew the strategic approach, priorities and in reporting on the SDG implementation, from consultations organized around the interventions of the UNSDCF. UNDP, establishing a new National SDG Council, five factors behind exclusionary processes UNICEF and UNFPA Country Programme and support to the 2nd SDG implementation (discrimination, geography, vulnerability Documents (CPDs) outcomes reflect the Voluntary National Review. to shocks, governance and socio-economic UNSDCF outcomes verbatim and there is status) and benefited from discussions with an agreement among other UNCT entities to UN in Armenia continued the established more than 50 CSOs, representing people also directly derive their agency-specific practice of facilitating donor coordination faced with different forms of deprivation, country programme instruments from and collective engagement of international disadvantage and discrimination. The CCA for the UNSDCF results. On the other hand, partners through the Development Partners Armenia exceeds the UNCT-SWAP Scorecards the elaboration of the CF also benefitted Coordination Forum (DPCF), co-chaired minimum requirements, containing strong greatly from a series of multi-stakeholder by the Deputy Prime Minister and the UN integration of gender analysis throughout all consultations and assessments conducted RC. Launch of the on-line Development sections, including targeted gender analysis by UN individual agencies, including Assistance Database (DAD) was an of those most left behind. UNDP, UNICEF and UNFPA, in preparation important step in allowing for integration of their country programmes. Thus, the of information on projects and programmes The CCA fed into the design of the revitalized development of the UNSDCF and agency of international partners and aligning those UNSDCF for Armenia which also benefitted CPDs was mutually reinforcing, allowing for with government priorities, international from consultations with a broad range of reduced transaction costs. commitments and SDGs. UNCT strengthened stakeholders, including resident and non- focus on joint programming to leverage resident UN agencies, GoA, line ministries, Following the UNSDCF formulation process, resources towards increased SDG aligned CSOs, IFIs, development partners, private the UNCT undertook a configuration exercise investments (e.g., pooled funds) combined sector, academia and international NGOs, as to assess its capacities and resources required with enhanced tracking systems to ensure well as feedback of people living in Armenia to deliver on the UNSDCF results for Armenia. alignment between different development directly generated through the UN75 Global The review of UNCT configuration offered tracks (ie. Resource allocation for national Survey. In Armenia, the Internal Gender Theme a collective statement and commitment by development plans). Group (IGTG) was reactivated during the 19 resident and nom-resident UN entities to drafting of the CCA. The mandate of the IGTG contribute coherently and effectively to the was broadened to also include the function of achievement of the results set in the 2021- a Results Group in relation to the stand-alone 25 UNSDCF. Six out of nineteen agencies (UN outcome on gender equality and women’s WOMEN, IOM, OHCHR, UNDRR, UNODC, UN HABITAT) had not been signatories to the

74 2.5 Evaluations and Lessons Learned 2.6 Financial Overview and Resource Mobilization

In 2020, the final evaluation of the 2016-2020 root factors impeding progress towards The UNDAF for 2020 had an actual budget percent, with the balance carried over to 2021. UNDAF was completed, timed to advise on SDGs, based on a robust analysis of country of USD 37 million, including available core At the outcome level, highest investments the overall strategic positioning of the UN needs and opportunities, informed by the and non/core resources as well as resources were made in the fields of health, sustainable in Armenia. The evaluation served as an 2016-2020 UNDAF Evaluation, UN’s Common mobilized over the course of 2020. By the economic development and environmental opportunity to learn from past and current Country Analysis (CCA), Socio-Economic Impact end of 2020, UNCT expenditure amounted to sustainability respectively (See Figure 7). work, identify priorities for future collaboration Assessment for Armenia, as well as vulnerability USD 23 million, reaching a delivery rate of 62 with partners and inform the design and and other relevant assessments conducted by implementation of the 2021-2025 UNSDCF for UN, IFIs and other stakeholders. Armenia. The evaluation was undertaken by an • Strengthen the functioning of the external, independent evaluation team from UNDAF/UNSDCF Steering Committee Figure 7: Total Delivery in 2020, November 2019 to May 2020. and the Results Groups, ensuring genuine Disaggregated per UNDAF Outcomes involvement of national partners in all The UNDAF evaluation process was quality activities, from planning to implementation assured internally, supported by RCO, UNCT, the of interventions. newly established UN Armenia Inter-Agency M&E • Intensify UNCT normative work as one of Group as well as UN Women Regional Office for its comparative advantages, ensuring that Europe and Central Asia Evaluation Specialist. gender equality and the empowerment of Total 2020 Budget (USD) Additionally, the UNDAF evaluation final report, women is clearly addressed through gender- along with other evaluation products, was specific outcomes and integration of gender Outcome 1 | 7,285,807 Outcome 5 | 7,282,401 submitted for external quality review. The report, across all outcomes. Similarly address the Outcome 2 | 3,389,172 Outcome 6 | 5,125,813 as assessed by Universalia independent quality commitment to groups left behind and HRBA. Outcome 7 | 7,660,852 control institution, was rated “satisfactory” across Outcome 3 | 3,789,881 • Strengthen joint planning, programming, all the dimensions of the assessment, while the Outcome 4 | 2,599,451 monitoring, and results reporting “evaluation conclusion and lessons learnt’ section practices, including through transitioning was rated as “highly satisfactory”, exceeding from excel-based reporting to UNINFO digital UNEG standards for evaluation reports. monitoring and reporting system. UNCT formal Management Response followed • Expand partnership with CSOs to the finalization of UNDAF Evaluation, as a strengthen their capacities across main written record of UNCT response to each functional areas, including their watchdog recommendation and related follow-up role, while engaging them in policymaking mechanisms. The subsequent Management processes and implementation of SDG Response Plan envisages actions to: related priorities.

• Remain flexible and responsive to the The implementation of the Management Total Expenditure in 2020 (USD) needs and priorities of the people living Response will be monitored throughout the Outcome 1 | 4,825,406 Outcome 5 | 3,753,061 in Armenia, including consultations with a course of UNSDCF implementation. A final Outcome 2 | 2,811,895 Outcome 6 | 4,903,213 broad range of stakeholders as well as annual independent evaluation of the 2021-2025 Outcome 3 | 1,684,327 Outcome 7 | 4,245,621 and ad-hoc review procedures to monitor UNSDCF will be carried out in 2024 (penultimate the progress of the 2021-2025 UNSDCF in year of UNSDCF implementation) with adequate Outcome 4 | 937,510 the face of evolving national circumstances, timing and focus to ensure cross-fertilization with with special focus on young people and most UN individual agencies’ country programme vulnerable groups. evaluations, as well as to reduce transaction • Focus new UNSDCF on the most critical costs for the stakeholders involved. 76 UNCT will support Armenia in achieving Chapter 3: land degradation neutrality strategy targets. Among the key priorities are: rural green UNCT Key Focus for 2021 growth, increased national forest cover and carbon removal from forests, reforestation and afforestation, as well as introduction of sustainable and climate adaptive forest SDG Implementation: management.

In 2021, UNCT in Armenia will enter the new Under the overall UN RCO leadership, UN UNSDCF cycle designed over the course of entities will continue implementing several 2020. Underpinned by a strong analytical joint projects that were initiated in 2020, foundation and inclusive dialogue, the UN strengthening partnerships for increased has prioritized eight development outcomes impact, including: aiming to improve people’s well-being and capabilities; to foster economic “green” • The Joint SDG Fund: “Making Finance Work transformation; to strengthen responsive for Transformative Change in Armenia: UN- and effective governance systems; as well locking Finance for Armenia 2030 Armenia” as to increase gender equality and women’s implemented by UNDP UNICEF, WFP empowerment. The agreed priority areas • UN COVID-19 MPTF: “Living with COVID-19 and development outcomes are illustrated while implementing Agenda 2030: Enhancing in Figure 8 and will frame the UN system’s resilience and safeguards through mitigating contributions to the achievement of the socio-economic impacts on people and sustainable development in Armenia in communities in Armenia” implemented by the coming five years, starting 2021. Upon UNDP, IOM, UNICEF and UNFPA and support UNSDCF launch, the framework will be from UNHCR, FAO and UNIDO digitized on UN INFO platform to capture the implementation progress and UNCT • UN COVID-19 MPTF: “Accelerating women’s collective results. empowerment for economic resilience and renewal: the post COVID-19 reboot in UNCT will intensify support to national Armenia” implemented by UNDP, UNICEF, government efforts to align national UN Women and UNIDO strategic development frameworks, including • EU-funded “The Leadership Development Armenian Transformation Strategy and (LEAD) Programme” implemented by UNDP Sectoral Strategies, with the national SDG and FAO framework. Country’s SDG nationalization • UK CSSF FUND: “Strengthening Stability and process and policy alignment will be promoted Resilience of the Bordering Communities particularly through engagement with the in Vayots Dzor, Gegharkunik and Syunik newly established National SDG Council Regions- phase 2” implemented by UNDP and line ministries as well as collaboration and UNICEF with the Ministry of Finance to facilitate the • UN Trust Fund for Human Security: introduction of SDG budgeting and coding. “Enhancing Human Security and Building Capacity development and policy guidance will Resilient Societies in Disadvantaged be offered in preparation for tentative 2022 Communities of Armenia” implemented by Voluntary National Review (VNR) reporting. UNICEF, FAO, IOM, WFP and UNIDO UNCT will engage in greater collaboration • UN ROAD SAFETY FUND: “Re-framing Road with IFIs on country diagnostics and sectoral Safety in Armenia: connecting data, people assessments as well as foster greater in-house and policies on Armenian roads” to be capacity for integrated policy analysis and implemented by UNDP, UNICEF, with support joint programming geared towards national from WHO. SDG implementation and financing. In 2021,

78 UNCT will engage in the development and privately or accommodated in collective financing landscape in Armenia. As part of implementation of new programmes and shelters. Under the leadership of the UN RCO the SDG financing portfolio, UNCT will also projects, applying integrated approaches and UNHCR, the Inter-Agency Response Plan prepare a Development Finance Assessment and solutions for more systemic and (IA-RP) for Armenia has brought together 35 (DFA) report and Integrated National transformative results. humanitarian partners. In 2021, UNCT will Financial Framework (INFF) roadmap, as continue fostering effective coordination and well as operationalize the Donor Assistance partnerships to work jointly and inclusively Database (DAD) to improve donor assistance with local and international humanitarian coordination, transparency, and result- Leaving No one Behind, Human and peace actors to contribute to building reporting. The UN will also contribute to Rights and Gender Equality: resilience, prevention, and sustaining peace. the strengthening of the Public finance As a central promise of 2021-2025 UNSDCF, The UNCT will focus on responding to the management system, supporting the Ministry leaving no one behind, including those immediate needs of the displaced population of Finance to adjust the 2022 Medium-Term affected by conflict, gender equality and selected host communities through Expenditure Framework and to introduce and women’s empowerment, youth improving access to MHPSS, health/nutrition, budget methodological instructions for COVID-19 Response: empowerment, resilience, human rights- education, social and child protection better policy-budget alignment. Recognizing The COVID-19 pandemic has severely based approach to development and services, including through cash support. the insufficient SDG financing by the private affected Armenia’s people, communities sustainability will guide the work of the UN Conflict sensitive programming will also be sector, UNCT will explore partnerships with and economy, deepening the pre-existing in all its programming. The contributions facilitated as part of the 2021-2025 UNSDCF the private sector and advocate for their inequalities. In 2021, UNCT COVID-19 Socio- to each UNSDCF outcome will take into implementation, based on solid political, engagement in the Global Compact. Economic Response and Recovery Plan consideration the recommendations arising conflict and risk analysis, including regular (SERRP) will offer mid-term interventions from international human rights mechanisms, political and early warning updates, issue to effectively mitigate the socio-economic the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The new briefs, crisis risk analysis, peacebuilding- impacts of COVID-19 in Armenia, to save UNSDCF, with a standalone outcome and related social media monitoring, etc. lives, protect people and communities cross-pillar integration of gender equality leaving no one behind, while building back will aimed at enhancing equal opportunities better and greener. As part of this effort, across the economic, political, and social the UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery spheres. Additionally, UNCT will advance the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) funded UN Resolutions 2250 on Youth, Peace and Programme will continue supporting Security and 1325 on Women, Peace and Business Innovation: Armenian communities and persons who Security agenda through organizing a youth A new Business Operation Strategy (BOS) were severely impacted by the pandemic, conference and establishing 1325 subgroup for 2021-25 will be launched to accompany with particular inclusion of children, women, under External Gender Theme Group. the new UNSDCF. The results-based BOS will older persons, and groups in vulnerable Strategic Financing and Partnerships: focus on joint business operations with the situations. In addition, the “Accelerating While it is essential that the immediate threats purpose of eliminating duplication, leveraging women’s empowerment for economic posed by the pandemic and conflict are the common bargaining power of the UN, and resilience and renewal” project funded by tackled, it is also imperative that the prioritized maximizing economies of scale. The number MPTF will empower women and girls in the development results are not derailed and of common services will be further increased most vulnerable and marginalized contexts are effectively resourced. Accompanying the to step up joint work in the areas of common to act as agents of change during and in Operationalizing SGs Prevention Vision new UNSDCF, UNCT will develop the UNSDCF procurement, administration, logistics, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic The military hostilities which broke out in and Funding and SDG Financing Strategy, human resources, finance, and ICT. through targeted gender-responsive around NK in September 2020, aggravated mapping the public, private and development actions. The UNCT will continue to work with an already fragile socioeconomic situation the Government in expanding the social in Armenia, compounded by the impact of protection floor and also include focused COVID-19. Approximately 90.000 persons shock responsive dimensions into social from the NK conflict area have been displaced, safety nets. The UNCT will also facilitate a lot of civilian property damaged, destroyed, COVID-19 vaccine deployment to the country or lost (data as per 8 December 2020). Most and support in cold-chain strengthening and of them currently reside in different marzes risk communication. (regions) of Armenia and are either hosted

* Joint SDG Fund Icons

80 2021-2025 UN Armenia Cooperation Framework Results and Strategies Diagram

Gender Youth Resilience / Leaving No Human Rights Sustainability Social Cohesion Conflict- equality and Risk One Behind Human security sensitivity women’s mitigation empowerment