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The Standing Committee on Labor and Social Affairs constantly cooperates with active non-governmental organizations NGOs operating in the field. There is much to be done in the multi-layered and multi-problem sector. The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has many programs delegated to the NGOs, because the support and participation of the non-state sector is very important. Welcoming the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Civil Society in Action Activity Chief of Party Magda Avetisyan and the representative of the Urban Foundation for Sustainable Development Piruza Manukyan in the Parliament, the Committee Chair Heriknaz Tigranyan said. The meeting took place on February 5, and was attended by the deputies of the RA NA Civil Contract Faction Mariam Poghosyan and Gayane Yeghiazaryan.

Magda Avetisyan presented the Counterpart International Civil Society in Action program, which is a five-year program financed by the USAID and implemented jointly with the Urban Foundation for Sustainable Development. The aim of the program is to promote the development of civil society by ensuring financial stability, capacity building, as well as establishing a dialogue between the state and civil society. Underscoring the participation of the political society in the decision-making processes, Magda Avetisyan noted that in the near future meetings are planned with the representatives of other parliamentary Committees, trying to find edges of cooperation.

Heriknaz Tigranyan inquired about the steps to ensure the continuity of the program's activities, the implementation of the provided grants. At the guests’ request, the Committee Chair presented the details of the possible participation of non-governmental organizations in the process of elaborating the bills. Reference was made to the programs aimed at strengthening and empowering the capacities of community-based organizations in Armenia. The importance of civil society and state cooperation was underlined.