The law of the Republic of Armenia on public organizations that entered into force in February 2017 suggests new provisions and opportunities, the most important of which are related to entrepreneur activities and volunteering. In that regard Transparency International Anticorruption Center (TIAC) within the framework of USAID funded “Engaged Citizenry for Responsible Governance” project, organized a discussion “New Provisions in the Law on Public Organizations of Armenia: Entrepreneurial Activities and Volunteering.” The event brought together over 70 participants from NGOs and international organizations, experts and media.

Presentations of “All You Need to Know about Entrepreneurial Activities of CSOs” Toolkit and “Guidance on the Good Standards and Practices of Volunteering,” developed by the Hungary based European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL), together with TIAC took place during the event.

Lyla Andrews Bashan, Sustainable Development Office Director of USAID/Armenia and Sona Ayvazyan, Executive Director of TIAC welcomed the capacity audience with opening remarks. Eszter Hartay, Legal Advisor and Luben Panov, Program Consultant of ECNL presented the toolkit and the guidance. Tatevik Margaryan, TIAC Expert also spoke on the toolkit. TIAC legal adviser Heriknaz Tigranyan presented “The Issues of RA Draft Law on Volunteer Activities and Voluntary Work.”

The Toolkit aims to show the spectrum of opportunities that opened with the adoption of the new Law on Public Organizations and allows public organizations to engage in entrepreneurial activities. The Guidance aims to promote good governance in volunteering and facilitate further development of its legal and policy environment in Armenia.

“Engaged Citizenry for Responsible Governance” project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development and implemented by Transparency International Anticorruption Center (TIAC) in partnership with Investigative Journalists NGO, Journalists’ Club “Asparez”, the European Center for Non-for-profit Law (Hungary), Civic Development and Partnership Foundation, and Basel Institute of Governance (Switzerland).