2024 Annual Report of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association NGO

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ARMENIAN LAWYERS’ ASSOCIATION NGO

Dear colleagues, like-minded partners and friends,

I am pleased to present the 2024 Annual Report of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association NGO (hereinafter, the ALA), which provides an overview of the organisation’s activities, ongoing and completed projects, discussions held, expert reports prepared, and a brief summary of its annual financial results. This year, too, the ALA remained committed to implementing its adopted policies by promoting the development, amendment and adoption of public policies in various areas of justice, the rule of law and good governance. Particular attention was paid to human rights protection and reforms in the constitutional, anti-corruption and judicial systems.

Guided by the principles of transparency and integrity, the ALA presents the results of its activities to the public as a trustworthy and accountable organisation. Building on the experience accumulated since 1995, our organisation continues to contribute to addressing existing challenges and fostering effective cooperation with public, private and international partners.

INTRODUCTION

The ALA was founded in Yerevan in 1995 and has operated as a trusted and active organisation. Its mission is to support the fight against corruption; protect human rights, including the rights of Armenians displaced from Artsakh, socially vulnerable groups and women; raise legal awareness; support justice reforms; educate lawyers and young professionals; and increase public legal awareness.

The organisation attaches particular importance to the use of advanced digital tools and the introduction of new technologies. In 2023, the ALA launched and continued operating through the following electronic platforms:

Official trilingual website: https://armla.am
Official website of the Coalition: http://aac.am, which provides a platform for the activities of the CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenia, expert support and public dissemination of results.
Business-sector whistleblowing platform: https://bizprotect.am, through which business representatives can report problems arising in the areas of taxation, customs, free economic competition, licences, permits and public procurement.
Civil society whistleblowing platform: https://haytnir.am, which enables citizens to report cases of corruption and other violations, either anonymously or by providing their details.
Budget knowledge-sharing and learning platform: https://budgets.am, established within the framework of the “Budgets for Citizens” Project to provide accessible budget information.
E-learning platform: https://elearning.armla.am, which provides online learning and knowledge assessment.

THE ALA’S MAIN AREAS OF ACTIVITY

Combating corruption in Armenia;
Protecting human rights, including the rights of Armenians displaced from Artsakh, socially vulnerable groups and women, and raising legal awareness;
Supporting reforms in justice, including constitutional, judicial and other targeted areas;
Contributing to the education of lawyers and young people and to the development of civil society;
Raising the public’s level of legal awareness.

The ALA has an extensive legal library used not only by young lawyers in Yerevan but also by young lawyers in Armenia’s regions and other individuals interested in legal matters.

As in previous years, the independent professional online media outlet www.iravaban.net continued to operate with high audience reach. The website is bilingual and available in Armenian and English. It also maintains a presence on Facebook, with more than 305,000 followers, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

THE ALA’S MISSION, VALUES AND TEAM

The ALA’s mission is to contribute to the formation in Armenia of a sovereign legal community characterised by high professional competence, uncompromising integrity and the application of legal innovation, and to foster a legally secure environment, legal culture, the rule of law and legal innovation in society.

The ALA’s values are transparency, integrity, professional expertise, leadership, honesty, team spirit, innovation, conscientiousness, justice, solidarity, constructive dialogue, determination, courage and forgiveness.

The ALA’s team is the cornerstone of its success. Innovative and skilled professionals who regularly enhance their knowledge both in Armenia and abroad make an invaluable contribution to the organisation’s establishment and development by introducing new initiatives and innovative ideas. The ALA regularly organises activities aimed at improving its members’ professional qualifications and developing related skills, as well as promoting national, educational and professional values. The ALA team attaches great importance to the organisation’s ideology and values and consistently upholds them in its work.

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED AND ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE ALA

“Budgets for Citizens” Project

In cooperation with the Economic Development and Research Center NGO and Agora Central Europe (Czech Republic), the ALA is implementing the European Union-funded “Budgets for Citizens” Project. The Project runs for 48 months, from 8 December 2022 to 7 December 2026, and aims to promote inclusive and transparent budget processes in Armenia by increasing civil society participation. Its main target sectors are justice, education, social protection and agriculture.

As part of the Project, training programmes on budget monitoring and analysis were delivered to young professionals and representatives of civil society organisations (CSOs) and the media. Approximately 90 young people and 40 CSO and media representatives participated in the first training cohort. Following the completion of the training programmes, subgrant competitions were organised. As a result, four NGOs implemented their projects in the education and justice sectors, contributing to sectoral improvements and the exchange of experience.

“Strengthening Mechanisms for the Protection of the Rights of Persons Forcibly Displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh” Project

The Project commenced in February 2024 and focuses on protecting the rights of Armenians displaced from Artsakh and providing them with legal assistance. During the Project, 23 mobile visits were conducted to various communities across Armenia and to Yerevan, where beneficiaries received free legal consultations. Consultations were also provided by telephone, at the office and through the armrights.am electronic platform.

A total of 305 free legal consultations were provided under the Project. Problems were raised with public authorities through official letters, and a significant proportion of these concerns received positive responses. In addition, videos were produced to highlight the legal challenges faced by Armenians displaced from Artsakh; a network of human rights CSOs was established; and a public policy document was developed. Cooperation was also established with the “TUMO for Teens from Artsakh” initiative and the “HUB Artsakh” organisation.

“Developing and Implementing Strategic Communication for Anti-Corruption Activities in the Governance Sector within the Framework of EU and Eastern Partnership Cooperation” Project

With funding from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the ALA implemented a Project from 6 March to 16 July 2024 aimed at increasing municipal employees’ knowledge of and awareness about the whistleblowing system. Training sessions and awareness-raising events were organised in Yerevan and all regions of Armenia, reaching 222 municipal employees.

To assess the effectiveness of the training, an evaluation tool was developed to measure improvements in participants’ knowledge and perceptions. The results showed a 35% increase among participants, demonstrating the successful and effective organisation of the training. The Project contributed to strengthening whistleblowing skills and enhancing accountability at the municipal level.

“Comprehensive Implementation of Open Justice and Anti-Corruption Commitments under the OGP National Action Plan” Project

With EU funding and within the framework of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) National Action Plan, the ALA worked on the comprehensive implementation of open justice and anti-corruption commitments, including the use of eCourt-statistics tools and the development of a gifts register for public officials. The Project aimed to improve the effectiveness and transparency of open judicial proceedings and anti-corruption commitments.

Eight focus group discussions were organised, involving representatives of the public and private sectors and CSOs. Strategic documents were developed based on reports and expert analyses and submitted to the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, the Supreme Judicial Council and the Corruption Prevention Commission to support the development of new strategies.

“Comprehensive Promotion of the Financial Viability of CSOs in Armenia” Project

The Project commenced in August 2024 with funding from USAID under the “Active Civil Society” programme. It aimed to improve the financial sustainability of CSOs through public awareness, evidence-based advocacy and reforms. Meetings, discussions and online sessions were organised, bringing together representatives of public authorities, CSOs and international organisations.

International good practices were examined during the meetings and discussions, and recommendations were developed on introducing tax incentives and other financial mechanisms. Although the Project was initially planned to run for 12 months, it was terminated early due to the cessation of USAID’s operations.

“Blow the Whistle, Armenia!” Project

The Project was implemented under USAID’s “Armenia Integrity” programme from September 2024 to January 2025. It aimed to raise public awareness of the whistleblowing system, change public perceptions and strengthen digital skills relating to whistleblowers’ rights.

Training sessions were held in Yerevan and four regions, reaching 566 participants, including teachers, school pupils, university students, lecturers, business representatives and municipal employees. The training results showed a 55.64% increase in knowledge. Methodological guidelines and manuals on whistleblowers’ digital rights were also developed.

ANTI-CORRUPTION EDUCATION

Anti-Corruption School for Young Leaders

For many years, the ALA has organised Armenia’s first anti-corruption school, the Anti-Corruption School for Young Leaders. In 2024, the admissions process and training for the School’s 10th cohort were announced and conducted.

The School’s objective is to improve the anti-corruption environment and culture in Armenia by promoting integrity principles and anti-corruption knowledge, while enabling new and young professionals to build careers in relevant public authorities and reputable specialised organisations.

The School’s training consists of the following stages:

Online learning stage. Participants take the core anti-corruption course through the School’s online platform. Participants are considered to have completed this stage after successfully passing the knowledge assessment tests for all topics.
Advanced learning and practical skills development stage. Activities are organised with leading experts in the field through masterclasses, discussions and visits. Participants also conduct research in groups with the support of mentors.
Public awareness-raising stage. Participants organise public seminars to share the anti-corruption knowledge they have acquired with the wider public.
Off-site stage. This stage takes place outside Yerevan, where participants present their research and awareness-raising activities to a professional jury.

Participants who successfully complete all stages receive a certificate of completion from the School.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

The President and Vice-President of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association Participate in the 8th International Conference of Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption and Meet with International Partners

From 22 to 24 May, the 8th International Conference of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) was held in Hong Kong to mark the Commission’s 50th anniversary. Approximately 500 anti-corruption leaders from more than 60 countries participated in the conference. Armenia was represented by Karen Zadoyan, President of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, and Marat Atovmyan, Vice-President of the Association and Anti-Corruption Expert of the CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenia.

During the conference, the Armenian delegation held meetings with the following individuals and representatives:

The leadership of Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption, including Kenneth Wong Kwok-hang, Director of the Commission’s Corporate Services Department.
Directors of Hong Kong ICAC’s Operations Department: Mr Mak Wai-keung, Mr Choi Shu-keung and Ms Evelina Hau-wan, Assistant Director of Community Relations.
Mr Chan Chuk-ho, Deputy Director of International Training at the Hong Kong International Academy Against Corruption.
Giuseppe Busia, President of Italy’s National Anti-Corruption Authority.
Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Haji Azam bin Baki, Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission; Dato’ Mond Havas bin Nazar, Director of the Commission; and Ms Nik Nurzari binti Mond Zainuddin, Senior Assistant to the Chief Commissioner.
Petr Klement, Deputy European Chief Prosecutor.
Ioannis Foustanakis, Director of Strategic Planning and Behavioural Analysis, and George Kasapas, Head of the Strategic Planning and International Relations Department of Greece’s National Transparency Authority.

In addition, during a visit to Vietnam, the Armenian delegation met with Nguyen Van Quyen, President of the Vietnam Lawyers Association, and Vice-President Le Thi Kim Thanh.

The meetings focused on potential areas of mutual cooperation, particularly needs-based training programmes, reciprocal visits, courses and joint projects. The parties agreed to continue preparatory work towards signing memoranda of understanding and strengthening cooperation.

REPORTS, ANALYSES AND EXPERT OPINIONS AND COMMENTS

ALA FINANCIAL REPORT FOR 2024

Amounts in thousands of Armenian drams (AMD).

Expenditure item	Amount (thousand AMD)
Labour costs and social insurance contributions	44,066
Depreciation and amortisation of fixed and intangible assets, and repair and maintenance costs	13,203
Travel and representation expenses	2,097
Postal and telecommunications expenses	422
Office and utility expenses	7,908
Audit and consulting expenses	38,707
Banking service and security expenses	41
Expenses related to non-deductible taxes	406
Other administrative expenses	1,080
Project expenses	21,074
Current tax expense (income)	47
TOTAL	126,063

THE ALA BOARD

The ALA Board is the organisation’s governing body between its General Assembly meetings.

Name	Position
Karen Zadoyan	President of the ALA; Chair of the ALA Board
Arpine Yeghikyan	Secretary of the ALA Board
Marat Atovmyan	Member of the ALA Board
Astghik Matinyan	Member of the ALA Board
Karen Kocharyan	Member of the ALA Board

CONTACT INFORMATION

Central Office

7 Nalbandyan Street, Office No. 2
Yerevan, Armenia

Telephone: +374 10 540199
Fax: +374 10 580299
Email: [email protected]

ALA Yerevan Branch — Yerevan Anti-Corruption Centre

7 Nalbandyan Street, Office No. 2, Yerevan, Armenia (entrance from the courtyard)

Telephone: +374 10 540199
Fax: +374 10 580299
Hotline: 0 8000 11 10
Email: [email protected]

ALA Lori Regional Branch — Lori Region Anti-Corruption Centre

82 Vardanants Street, Apt. 1, Vanadzor, Armenia

Telephone: +374 322 2 23 17
Fax: +374 322 2 23 17
Email: [email protected]

ALA Shirak Regional Branch — Shirak Region Anti-Corruption Centre

1 Tigran Mets Avenue, Apt. 2, Gyumri, Armenia

Telephone: +374 312 5 82 36
Fax: +374 312 5 82 36
Email: [email protected]