ArmInfo.Armenia will receive 33 million euros from the EU for reforms of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and socio-economic recovery in the post-pandemic and post-war periods. On October 20, the Government of Armenia approved a proposal to sign two financial agreements between the Republic of Armenia and the European Commission.
As Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan stated, within the framework of the multi-year indicative program (without the co-financing component of the Armenian side) EU-Armenia 2021-2027, it is planned to implement two grant agreements funded by the EU budget.
Thus, according to the grant funding agreement "EU for Sustainable and Accountable Institutions. Police and Migration Reforms and Human Rights Protection in Armenia", it is planned to provide 10 million euros in grant support for the implementation of police reforms, migration management and human rights protection. Funds, in particular, will be allocated for the formation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, including the development of human resources and the material and technical equipment of the established department. Financing also involves spending on police reforms, including the expansion of the Patrol Service, improving the quality of services in the field of migration activities.
Support will be provided to strengthen the capacity of the Office of the Human Rights Defender, the Office of the Commissioner of the Republic of Armenia for International Legal Affairs and other relevant state institutions at the national and local levels. Support will be provided to raise public awareness of human rights.
The budget of the second "EU Sustainability Instrument for Armenia" program will be 23 million euros (without the co-financing component of the RA). The goal is to "support green, inclusive and sustainable socio-economic recovery and development in the post-pandemic and post-war periods", in accordance with the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between the RA and the EU and the guidelines of the EU Economic and Investment Plan for Armenia.
As part of the funding, assistance will be provided to increase the competitiveness of the private sector to attract large investments (beneficiaries: ministries of economy, territorial administration and infrastructure, ecology, high-tech industry, education, science, culture and sports, Office of the Chief Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Support Center investment). In this context, support will be provided for the incubation and rapid development of SMEs in the Syunik region, business recovery, development initiatives and investments in local communities, measures implemented in urban and socio-economic infrastructure, engagement and capacity building of youth, women and vulnerable groups, implementation programs with the participation of the Diaspora, as well as the establishment of a "green" school of culinary and hotel management and an entrepreneurial center in Gyumri. Approximately 1,500 SMEs will receive assistance under this component for capacity development.
Grant funds will also be used to strengthen the shock-responsive social protection system (beneficiaries: ministries of labor and social affairs and high-tech industry). The program will support the strengthening of the services, mechanisms and human resources of the social protection system, the development and implementation of the Labor and Social Protection Strategy and the Unified Strategy for the Development of Social Services, as well as the implementation of the system for assessing and determining disability in Armenia in accordance with international standards. Assistance will be provided to develop the capacity and infrastructure of sectoral administrative systems, as well as to expand social assistance programs and services. Assistance will also be provided to pilot targeted programs and initiatives to address complex and multifaceted risks in Syunik and other border regions and respond more effectively to the needs of traumatized groups. Targeted support will be provided to integration initiatives and socio-psychological support for displaced persons from Artsakh.
