Now is the moment for decentralisation

Republic of Armenia

Form of government: parliamentary
Structure: unitary
Area: 29,743 sq. km. km
Population: 2.99 million people (as of January 1, 2024)
GDP per capita in Armenia: 8,280 USD (2023)
GDP in Armenia: 24.218 billion USD (2023)

Number of regions: 10
Number of communities: 71, of which 64 are united communities 5 are ununited, inhabited by national minorities, 2 largest cities: Yerevan and Gyumri
The largest region by area: Gegharkunik (5349 sq. km)
The smallest region by area: Vayots Dzor (2308 sq. km)
The largest community by population: Yerevan (1.13 million people, the capital)

The smallest community by population: Metsadzor (294 people)
The largest community by area: Sisian (1719 sq. km)
Community budget revenues: 1.19% of GDP, 0.09% of the consolidated budget (Ministry of Territorial Development of the Republic of Armenia)
Community budget expenditures: 0.12% of GDP, 7.54% of the consolidated budget (Law of the Republic of Armenia on the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia for 2023)

Ongoing Projects

Municipalities

Partners

Main Events

Advisory group meeting

Feb 21 - Feb 21

On February 21, 2025, the SALAR International “DeaLog” program convened an advisory group meeting with the participation of partners (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia, Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Armenia, Standing Committee on Territorial Administration, Local Self-Government, Agriculture and Environmental Protection of the National Assembly, Embassy of Sweden).

Municipal Forum

Feb 20 - Feb 20

The SALAR International “DeaLog” program organized and held the annual Community Forum on February 20, the key topic of which was the decentralization of powers, in particular the decentralization agenda in the education sector.

The forum was attended by community leaders, government representatives, officials from the Swedish Embassy, and officials from the Council of Europe Yerevan Office.

Meeting with MTAI minister Davit Khudatyan

Feb 19 - Feb 19

Minister of teritorial administration and infrastructure David Khudatyan received a delegation led by Ryan Knox, Executive Director of Salar International.

The Minister welcomed the guests and highlighted the importance of cooperation with Salar International.

During the meeting, the process of local government reforms was presented, which also led to the Ministry's interest in the "Support to Decentralization and Local Self-Government Reforms in Armenia" program.

The Minister also presented the process of decentralization of powers in Armenia.

Meeting in Akhuryan

2025-05-22

On May 22, the team of the Salar International organization’s “Support to Decentralization and Local self Government Reforms in Armenia” (DeaLog) project visited the partner community of Akhuryan.

The meeting with the community leader Zaven Manukyan began with a presentation of the goals and content of the project by the project team leader in Armenia, Varsenik Mnatsakanyan, after which the decentralization and local government reforms were discussed.

Articles

Discussion at Akhuryan Municipality

On May 22, 2025, the team of the Salar International organization’s “Support to Decentralization and Local Self-Government Reforms in Armenia” (DeaLog) project visited the partner community of Akhuryan.The meeting with the community leader Zaven Manukyan began with the presentation of the goals and content of the project by the head of the project team in Armenia, Varsenik Mnatsakanyan, after which the decentralization and local self-government reforms were discussed.

Garik Khachikyan, a consultant on local government issues, presented the format of school-community cooperation and the steps already implemented by the project towards the decentralization of education.

The "DeaLoG" project team visited Yeghegis

Deputy Head of Yeghegis Community Aaron Gabrielyan received the SALAR International “DeaLog” project team, led by Project Manager Shane Quinn.

Visit to Khoy community

Deputy Head of Khoy Community Varazdat Antonyan received the SALAR International “DeaLog” project team, led by Project Manager Shane Quinn.

Meeting with the mayor of Vagharshapat community

Mayor Diana Gasparyan hosted the team of the “DiaLoG” program implemented by SALAR International, led by Program Director Shane Quinn.

A memorandum of understanding was signed

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport of the Republic of Armenia, the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR), and the SALAR International company.

Alexis de Tocqueville

French aristocrat, diplomat, political philosopher and historian

The strength of a free people is in the local assemblies. Municipal institutions are as essential to liberty as schools are to knowledge: they make it accessible to the people and teach them to use and enjoy it. A nation may establish a free government, but without the spirit of municipal institutions it cannot have the spirit of liberty.