Smart Policy Making: Citizen Voice, Sustainable Choice

• Main Authors: Alex Sardar, Lusine Hakobyan, Negar Tayyar, Tatevik Davtyan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institut Veolia Environnement 2014-09-01
• Series: Field Actions Science Reports
• Subjects: Armenia; CSO support; Democratic governance; Legislative process; Local advocacy
• Online Access: http://journals.openedition.org/factsreports/3428

The CIVICUS Civil Society Index (CSI), which was implemented by Counterpart International in Armenia in 2008 found that civil society organizations (CSOs) are reactive in the policy process and should implement proactive strategies in this arena. To address this key issue, Counterpart designed the Legislative Agenda Advocacy Days (LAAD) initiative, which focuses on expanding the footprint of Armenian CSOs’ in the formation of a national legislative agenda. Working to build advocacy capacity, Counterpart has facilitated grassroots consultations and policy discussions for a wide array of CSOs and citizens throughout Armenia. Based on these consultations, national working groups develop sets of legislative recommendations for each of the standing committees of the National Assembly (NA) and lobby for their inclusion in the national legislature’s agenda. Since 2011, two rounds of LAAD have brought together more than 300 individuals, 200 CSOs and representatives from 70 communities, who collectively have submitted 198 legislative recommendations. The ultimate objective of LAAD is to strengthen the role and impact of CSOs’ in decision-making processes at the national and local levels in a sustainable manner. This article provides an overview of the design and implementation of LAAD. It highlights practical lessons in fostering dialogue at a local level and linking the results to efforts for reform at the national level.