On May 11 the online regional meeting devoted to the presentation of the sub-grant programs of Lori region was held. Representatives of all enlarged communities of Armenia participated in the online meeting.

The Citizens Voice and Actions on Local Development in Consolidated Communities in Armenia is a 30-month EU funded project aiming to support the on-going government reforms and enhance capacity of consolidated communities in designing and implementing people-centered and sustainable local development projects. The project is implemented by a consortium of organizations: Communities Finance Officers Organization (CFOA), Association of Local Democracy Agencies (ALDA), Union of Communities of Armenia (UCA) with CFOA as a lead organization.

The project is designed to enhance the capacity of recently consolidated communities in designing and implementing people-centred and sustainable local projects that promote outdoor activities and local tourism in consolidated communities. The project also aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation between Armenian and Georgian communities, to raise awareness on civic engagement and oversight, particularly via citizen budgets and outreach campaigns. The program has provided grants to 37 communities. The competition targeted the enlarged communities of Shirak, Lori, Tavush, Gegharkunik and Aragatsotn marzes.

7 inter-community cooperation programs were funded in the field of local tourism development.

During the online meeting the projects of Alaverdi, Stepanavan, Tashir, Gyulagarak, Shnogh communities and the inter-community project called “Dba lav: From path to path’’ were represented’.

The President of the Union of Communities of Armenia Emin Yeritsyan stated in his speech that such meetings give an opportunity to show what results we have and to ensure the exchange of experience with the implemented programs.

The project coordinator Artashes Abrahamyan stated that the project gives opportunity to the communities for better economic development.

It should be noted that such discussions will take place, during which the programs implemented in Gegharkunik, Aragatsotn, Shirak and Tavush marzes will be represented.

At the end of the meeting Fabiana Gorassini by the example of Sauris community represented the European good practice in tourism development sphere.