Action plan – Yerevan, Armenia, 2025 – 2028

At-a-Glance

Duration

Dec 2028

Date Submitted

11th July 2025

Foreword(s)

The Yerevan Municipality and civil society organizations are proud to continue their partnership within the Open Government PartnershipThe Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multi-stakeholder initiative focused on improving government transparency, ensuring opportunities for citizen participation in public matters, and strengthen... More (OGP) Local initiative. This second Action Plan builds on the foundation laid through our 2023–2024 commitments, which demonstrated how meaningful collaboration between local government and citizens can improve transparencyAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, transparency occurs when “government-held information (including on activities and decisions) is open, comprehensive, timely, freely available to the pub... More, accountability, and public participationGiving citizens opportunities to provide input into government decision-making leads to more effective governance, improved public service delivery, and more equitable outcomes. Technical specificatio... in municipal governance.

Through this new plan, we reaffirm our shared ambitionAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, OGP commitments should “stretch government practice beyond its current baseline with respect to key areas of open government.” Ambition captures the po... to embed open government values across all levels of city administration. Together, we aim to promote a culture of civic engagement by expanding participatory processes, improving access to public information, implementing program-based budgeting, and advancing sustainable development through inclusive dialogue and decision-making.

The development of this plan has been grounded in co-creation with local stakeholders, including public consultations, workshops, and direct input from citizens and CSOs. The commitmentOGP commitments are promises for reform co-created by governments and civil society and submitted as part of an action plan. Commitments typically include a description of the problem, concrete action... to co-creation will continue throughout the implementation and monitoring process, ensuring broad oversight, community feedback, and joint evaluation of outcomes.

Yerevan recognizes the power of open governance not just as a set of principles, but as a practical tool to address urban challenges, foster trust, and improve the quality of life for residents. This Action Plan reflects our belief that only by working hand in hand can we build a city that is not only efficient and innovative, but also equitable, inclusive, and responsive to all.

We look forward to continuing this journey together—learning from others, sharing our experience, and championing open governance in Yerevan and across the region.

Open Government Challenges, Opportunities and Strategic Vision

What is the long-term vision for open government in your context and jurisdiction?

Yerevan’s long-term vision is to become a model of transparent, accountable, and citizen-centered urban governance, where open government values are fully integrated into municipal planning, decision-making, and service delivery. The city envisions a governance culture in which public institutions work in close partnership with civil society and the public to promote trust, co-create solutions, and ensure inclusive development.

This vision builds on the achievements of Yerevan’s previous OGP commitments, including greater citizen participationAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, citizen participation occurs when “governments seek to mobilize citizens to engage in public debate, provide input, and make contributions that lead to m... More in public hearings, strengthened integrity systems for municipal employees, and innovative “green” governance initiatives. In the years ahead, Yerevan aims to expand open dataBy opening up data and making it sharable and reusable, governments can enable informed debate, better decision making, and the development of innovative new services. Technical specifications: Polici... practices, institutionalize participatory budgeting, and adopt digital tools that promote real-time transparency and civic oversight.

The municipality is committed to deepening collaboration with local communities, civil society organizations, and peer cities in the Eastern Partnership to exchange knowledge and scale successful reforms. By aligning with the Sustainable Development GoalsOGP countries are experimenting with open government innovations to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 16+ which includes peaceful, just and inclusive societies... and Armenia’s broader public sector modernization agenda, Yerevan seeks to ensure that open government becomes a lasting and transformative element of local governance.

What are the achievements in open government to date (for example, recent open government reforms)?

Since joining the Local Open Government Partnership in May 2022, Yerevan has made notable strides in enhancing transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement. The city institutionalized public hearings across all 12 administrative districts, boosting citizen participation by over 60%. It established an ethics and integrity system for municipal employees, delivering specialized training to over 120 staff members.

Yerevan also launched the “Green Development” platform featuring real-time air quality monitoring, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable urban management. The “Green Seal-Green Deal” initiative encourages energy-efficient practices within municipal institutions, resulting in successful energy-saving projects in local kindergartens.

Furthermore, the city strengthened civil society collaboration through its membership in the People Powered Global Hub for Participatory Democracy, fostering inclusive and evidence-based policymaking. These accomplishments reflect Yerevan’s ongoing dedication to open government principles and innovation.

What are the current challenges/areas for improvement in open government that the jurisdiction wishes to tackle?

Despite significant progress, Yerevan faces ongoing challenges in expanding public participation, especially among youthRecognizing that investing in youth means investing in a better future, OGP participating governments are creating meaningful opportunities for youth to participate in government processes. Technical ... More. While transparency has improved, further efforts are needed to ensure timely and user-friendly access to municipal data and budget information. Strengthening accountability mechanisms—particularly in procurement and service delivery—is essential to boost public trust. Integrating digital tools and data analytics can improve governance efficiency but requires capacity buildingEnhancing the skills, abilities, and processes of public servants, civil society, and citizens is essential to achieving long-lasting results in opening government. Technical specifications: Set of ac... among city officials.

To tackle these challenges, Yerevan pursues four key commitments: participatory budgeting to involve citizens directly in financial decisions; the “Model Yerevan” pilot program, which empowers youth by increasing their awareness and active participation in local governance; and the digital transformationGovernments are working to increase access to and quality of government services, improve transparency, and create opportunities for participation by using information and communications technologies.... More initiative, including the “YES platform,” which will provide a unified, accessible digital service environment. These efforts aim to foster a more inclusive, transparent, accountable, and innovative local government.

What are the medium-term open government goals that the government wants to achieve?

The Municipality of Yerevan is committed to fostering a more inclusive and participatory local governance model by expanding mechanisms for citizen engagement, especially among youth. Key goals include institutionalizing participatory budgeting practices and scaling up the “Model Yerevan” program to empower young leaders. Enhancing the city’s digital infrastructure remains a priority, with the development of integrated platforms to simplify access to public services and improve decision-making through spatial data analytics. Strengthening interdepartmental coordination and promoting innovative policy-making tools will support transparent, accountable, and responsive governance throughout the city.

How does this action plan contribute to achieve the Open Government Strategic Vision?

This action plan directly advances Yerevan’s Open Government Strategic Vision by translating broad commitments into concrete, measurable initiatives. It institutionalizes participatory budgeting and expands the “Model Yerevan” program to foster youth engagement and strengthen democratic participation at the local level. The plan also prioritizes the digital transformation of city services through the development of the YES platform and spatial data systems, enhancing transparency, accessibility, and efficiency. By reinforcing accountability mechanisms and promoting collaborative governance, the plan supports a culture of openness and trust between the city administration and its citizens. Together, these efforts align with the vision of a dynamic, innovative, and inclusive urban governance model that empowers residents, drives economic progress, and ensures responsive public service deliveryTo ensure that citizens of all groups are better supported by the government, OGP participating governments are working to improve the quality of and access to public services. Commitments in this are... More.

How does the open government strategic vision contribute to the accomplishment of the current administration’s overall policy goals?

Yerevan’s open government strategic vision supports the current administration’s broader policy goals of fostering transparency, accountability, innovation, and citizen-centered governance. By promoting participatory practices such as program budgeting and youth-led initiatives, the vision enhances civic engagement and policy responsiveness. The digital transformation agenda further complements the administration’s drive for efficiency and data-driven decision-making. These initiatives contribute to building a more trusted, inclusive, and modern municipal governance system, key pillars in the Mayor’s efforts to ensure sustainable urban development and improve the quality of life for all residents.

Engagement and Coordination in the Open Government Strategic Vision and OGP Action Plan

Please list the lead institutions responsible for the implementation of this OGP action plan.

• Yerevan Urban Development Projects Implementation Unit CNCO
• Financial Department of Yerevan Municipality
• Yerevan Management Technologies Center CJSC

What kind of institutional arrangements are in place to coordinate between government agencies and departments to implement the OGP action plan?

To implement the OGP Action Plan, the Municipality of Yerevan has established a dedicated coordination mechanism within the Mayor’s Office, supported by a staff specifically responsible for overseeing OGP-related activities. This ensures consistency and continuity in managing the commitments. A multi-stakeholder working group—comprising municipal departments, civil society organizations, and external experts—leads the co-creation, implementation, and monitoring processes. Each commitment is assigned to a responsible municipal unit, with regular interdepartmental coordination meetings to ensure coherence across sectors, including finance, IT, urban planning, and youth engagement.

Importantly, the Municipality has already allocated budgetary resources for the implementation of most activities outlined in the action plan, reinforcing its institutional commitment. This structured approach enables effective execution, strengthens accountability, and ensures sustained civic participation and transparency throughout the plan’s lifecycle.

What kind of spaces have you used or created to enable the collaboration between government and civil society in the co-creation and implementation of this action plan? Mention both offline and online spaces.

The Municipality of Yerevan adopted an inclusive and transparent approach to the co-creation of the 2025–2028 OGP Action Plan. A public call for proposals was launched on the official municipal website and social media platforms in November 2023, inviting citizens to submit ideas across 8 thematic areas. The deadline was extended to maximize participation, resulting in nearly 200 submissions covering topics such as transport reform, service delivery, environmental innovation, and participatory governance.

Offline engagement included a public outdoor event titled “Uniting Around a Common Goal,” where residents could directly submit proposals via on-site feedback boxes. This event also featured representatives from other OGP member cities in Armenia, fostering peer learning. The collected input was analyzed and grouped thematically to inform the commitments.

Additionally, the Municipality created dedicated social media pages for the Local OGP process to share updates, collect feedback, and promote transparency. This hybrid engagement ensured broad civil society involvement in shaping the action plan.

What measures did you take to ensure diversity of representation (including vulnerable or marginalized populations) in these spaces?

To ensure inclusive participation in the co-creation processCollaboration between government, civil society and other stakeholders (e.g., citizens, academics, private sector) is at the heart of the OGP process. Participating governments must ensure that a dive... of the 2025–2028 OGP Action Plan, the Municipality of Yerevan took several steps to broaden representation across different population groups. The public call for proposals was disseminated through multiple communication channels, including social media, the official website, and in-person events, to reach residents from various socio-economic and geographic backgrounds.

Special attention was given to youth engagement, particularly through the “Model Yerevan” pilot initiative, which actively encourages participation of young people from underrepresented communities in public governance and urban planning processes.

During the public outdoor event “Uniting Around a Common Goal,” accessible formats were provided, and feedback was collected both in person and anonymously to encourage open participation. Proposals from vulnerable groups were especially welcomed and considered during the thematic consolidation phase.

Future iterations of the “Model Yerevan” simulation and the participatory budgeting process are also designed to prioritize inclusionOGP participating governments are working to create governments that truly serve all people. Commitments in this area may address persons with disabilities, women and girls, lesbian, gay, bisexual, tr... More of youth, women, and residents from socially and geographically marginalized areas.

Who participated in these spaces?

The co-creation process for Yerevan’s 2025–2028 OGP Action Plan brought together a diverse range of stakeholders from across the city. Participants included:

• Civil society organizations (CSOs) focused on transparency, environmental sustainability, youth development, digital rights, and community empowerment;
• Youth groups and students, particularly those engaged through the “Model Yerevan” pilot program aimed at increasing youth participation in local governance;
• Academic and expert communities, who contributed evidence-based recommendations and innovative policy suggestions;
• Private sectorGovernments are working to open private sector practices as well — including through beneficial ownership transparency, open contracting, and regulating environmental standards. Technical specificat... More representatives, especially those involved in green innovation, digital transformation, and public service delivery;
• Local government officials from both the central municipal departments and administrative districts;
• Active citizens, including residents who responded to the public call for ideas through online submissions and in-person events.

Additionally, peer municipalities from other OGP local members in Armenia (e.g., Vanadzor, Armavir, Metsamor) were invited to share experiences and take part in knowledge exchange sessions.

How many groups participated in these spaces?

30

How many public-facing meetings were held in the co-creation process?

7

How will government and non-governmental stakeholders continue to collaborate through the implementation of the action plan?

To ensure continued collaboration, the Municipality of Yerevan will maintain and strengthen its multi-stakeholder approach throughout the implementation of the OGP Action Plan. A dedicated coordination team within the municipality, which includes the OGP focal point and supporting staff, will lead ongoing communication with civil society, youth groups, experts, and other stakeholders.

Regular multi-stakeholder monitoring meetings will be held quarterly to assess progress, address implementation challenges, and adjust actions if necessary. These meetings will include municipal departments responsible for commitments and representatives from civil society who contributed to the co-creation process.

Additionally, the Municipality will use online platforms and social media channels (including the Local OGP Yerevan Facebook page) to share updates, receive feedback, and promote transparency. Public forums and thematic roundtables will also be organized to maintain open dialogue and foster community ownership of reforms.

This collaborative model aims to ensure shared responsibility, inclusive participation, and sustained civic engagement throughout the entire implementation cycle.

Please describe the independent Monitoring Body you have identified for this plan.

Currently, an independent Monitoring Body for this OGP Action Plan has not yet been formally identified, but will be involved shortly. To ensure continuous oversight, the Municipality of Yerevan has already created a dedicated internal team responsible for monitoring, analyzing, and evaluating the implementation of programs and processes carried out by the city administration. This team plays a key role in tracking progress and preparing reports. Moving forward, an independent Monitoring Body will be formed through a consultative process involving civil society, academia, media, and other relevant stakeholders. This will guarantee impartial evaluation and transparency in line with open government principles. The official involvement of this body will take place soon, reinforcing accountability and public trust throughout the action plan’s implementation.

Provide the contact details for the independent monitoring body.

What types of activities will you have in place to discuss progress on commitments with stakeholders?

To maintain transparency and stakeholder engagement, we will organize regular public consultations, thematic workshops, and quarterly review meetings. Updates and feedback channels will be provided through online platforms and social media. Additionally, open forums and information sessions will encourage direct dialogue between the municipality and civil society. These activities will support ongoing monitoring, inclusive participation, and adaptive management of the action plan.

How will you regularly check in on progress with implementing agencies?

Regular progress monitoring will be conducted through scheduled coordination meetings with implementing departments. The dedicated municipal team will collect and analyze data, review milestones, and address challenges promptly. Reporting mechanisms will include monthly updates and performance dashboards to ensure transparency and timely interventions. This structured approach will help keep all agencies aligned and accountable throughout the implementation process.

How will you share the results of your monitoring efforts with the public?

The results of monitoring efforts will be shared with the public through multiple accessible channels, including official municipal websites, social media platforms, and public reports. Additionally, periodic open forums and community meetings will be organized to present progress updates and gather feedback. Transparency will be further ensured by publishing easy-to-understand summaries and data visualizations, promoting active citizen engagement and trust in the process.

Endorsement from Non-Governmental Stakeholders

• Sona Ayvazyan, Executive Director, Transparency International Armenia
• Tigran Mughnetsyan, Project Specialist, Transparency International Armenia
• Mary Minasyan, Project Specialist, Transparency International Armenia
• Aren Manukyan, Project Specialist, Transparency International Armenia
• Inga Zarafyan, President, “ECOLUR” INFORMATION NGO
• Vicktoria Burnazyan, Vice President, “ECOLUR” INFORMATION NGO
• Christine Ter-Matevosyan, Journalist, “ECOLUR” INFORMATION NGO
• Monika Yeritsyan, Journalist, “ECOLUR” INFORMATION NGO
• Movses Aristakesyan, President, “Centre of Economic Right”
• Arsen Manukyan, Team Leader, Armenia Integrity Project
• Naira Arakelyan, President, Armavir Development Center NGO
• Azganush Mnatsakanyan, Project Coordinator, Armenia Integrity Project

Yerevan-Local-OGP-Action-Plan-2025-2028.pdf

Commitments:

• Introduce program-based budgeting to improve transparency, effectiveness, and citizen-focused performance monitoring in Yerevan’s municipal finance system (AMERV0007)
• Introduce Participatory Budgeting through a Digital Platform (AMERV0008)
• Pilot Implementation of ‘Model Yerevan’ Urban Governance Academy to Engage Youth in Local Government and Public Policy (AMERV0009)
• The Digital Transformation of Yerevan Municipality through a Unified Services Platform and Urban Digital Twin (AMERV0010)