UNDP launches innovative community initiative in Armenia

ArmInfo.The second Public Sector Innovation Forum on the topic: Innovation in Action: Leading  Change and Transformation organized by the UNDP (United Nations Development Program), within the framework of the Mayors for Economic Growth Facility  initiative funded by the EU, took place in Yerevan  today.

For the second year in a row, the forum brings together  representatives of the public, private sectors, civil society,  international organizations and embassies on one platform.

In a conversation with journalists on the sidelines of the event,  Tigran Tshorokhyan, UNDP in Armenia's Innovation and SDG Finance  Portfolio Lead,  noted that today's forum signified the launch of  establishment of an innovation community in Armenia, where innovative  methods will be developed to more intensively implement reforms in  the field of public administration. In other words, this will allow  us to make more effective decisions, overcome challenges and  transform the economy, making it more competitive.

Answering a question from ArmInfo, he noted that one of the main  components for community's establishing will be the formation of an  ecosystem of innovation, since efforts made today in the direction of  innovative development are fragmented as of today. In this regard,  the UNDP representative referred to Armenia's position in the Global  Innovation Index. According to Mr. Tshorokhyan, Armenia ranks 82nd  among 132 countries in this Index, gradually worsening its position  since 2013, when it ranked 62nd.  The descending graph of the index,  as he noted, is associated with the low quality of human capital.   "This means that we should pay even more attention to the development  of human capital, their knowledge and skills, aspirations,  flexibility, interest, determination," Mr. Tshorokhyan said.

He also noted that the current situation is not due to gaps and  shortcomings, but is primarily due to the fact that an innovation  ecosystem was not formed in a timely manner. Therefore, according to  Mr.  Tshorokhyan today UNDP will try to form an appropriate  environment and ecosystem where everyone can maximize their potential  and innovative thoughts to solve problems.  This program to establish  an innovative community and ecosystem will be implemented by UNDP and  partners for 10 years.

Mr. Tshorokhyan today refused to talk about the initiative's budget,  noting that negotiations are still underway with various partners  regarding funding. "I hope that in the near future we will present a  wide list of partners," he concluded.

Mayors for Economic Growth (M4EG) Facility is a part of the Mayors  for Economic Growth (M4EG) initiative, launched and funded by the  European Union since 2017 aiming to encourage local authorities in  Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries to use innovative development  methods that are both fair to all, and friendly to the environment.   In line with continuous capability development, the Facility is going  to provide funding opportunities for local authorities, and the  communities will develop and implement their own innovative solutions  to stimulate and accelerate local development.