Sida's work in Armenia
In Armenia Sida works to strengthen democracy, increase respect for human rights and reduce the country’s climate impact. The work also aims at improving the opportunities to earn a living.
Important thematic areas in Armenia
Why do Sida work in Armenia?
Democracy is fragile and threatened by conflicts in the region
Located in the South Caucasus, Armenia is pursuing democratic and sustainable development while being caught between regional powers. The conflict in the Nagorno-Karabach region is in constant danger of flaring up and threatening peace, security and the progress made in recent years.
The environment needs better protection
Armenia has no well-functioning national waste management system, resulting in many unregulated and environmentally hazardous landfills. In addition, the country’s mines are operated in an unsustainable manner. Armenia has a rich biodiversity and a unique natural environment that needs to be protected and preserved.
Lack of legal certainty but many have had enough
The judiciary is often criticised for not being independent. Police and military personnel are, for example, rarely held accountable for crimes they commit. The peaceful revolution in 2018 was largely based on strong dissatisfaction with the lack of accountability of those in power.
Examples of what Sida has contributed to
Strengthening democracy
A new political leadership is now working on major problems such as corruption, weak rule of law and disregard for human rights and gender equality. Sida supports several important reforms that improve the conditions for continued democratic development, increased rule of law and accountability. Among other things, Sida supports the country’s parliament and the judiciary through our partners the UN Development Programme and the Swedish Judicial Authority.
More women and young people in employment with decent conditions
Unemployment among women and young people is high in Armenia.1 Women are often discriminated against in the Labour Market and many young people leave the country to earn a living. Sida supports projects that strengthen the ability of women, young people and other vulnerable groups to find work with decent terms and conditions.
Improving the environment in Armenia
Sida supports several projects that contribute to reducing energy consumption and improving the environment. These include a project that improves waste management in Armenia. Sida also contributes to energy efficient street lighting.
Sida's development cooperation in Armenia
Sida works to increase resilience in the country and ensure democratic development. Several of the programmes and projects supported by Sida are based on cooperation between Swedish authorities and institutions and their counterparts in Armenia.
The democratic development in Armenia is positive but fragile. Respect for human rights is low and women are often discriminated against in society. Gender equality in the country has increased in recent years.2 Corruption in business, the judiciary and the state administration is also a challenge for the country. Sweden’s support to Armenia aims to increase gender equality and strengthen democracy in the country. Here are some of the projects that Sida supports:
Sida supports a project in which the Swedish National Board of Justice is assisting reforms in the judicial system with a focus on improving judge training, increasing professionalism and public trust in judges and the judicial system. The work contributes, among other things, to increased ethics and independence among Armenian judges and enables the Judicial System to act in accordance with the requirements of the Law and the expectations of the public. The project also helps to improve the public’s perception of judges, which is often negatively charged. The activity therefore also supports improved communication between the media and the courts.
Sida supports the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions’ (SALAR) project in Armenia, which helps to strengthen the country’s efforts to move power to the municipalities and closer to the population. The work strengthens the independence of municipalities and increases their responsibility, capacity and accountability to the population.
About the work of the SRC in Armenia on SALAR, the SRC’s international website
Through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Sida contributes to increasing political transparency and improving the rule of law. The programme leads to increased gender equality and respect for human rights in parliament and in the laws that are passed.
Sida supports civil society organisations working for the rights of women and LGBTI people, for instance by shaping public opinion and influencing politicians. Victims of violence and attacks also receive legal aid.
Together with the Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF), Sida supports organisations working for human rights, non-discrimination, non-violence, anti-corruption and environmental issues.
Armenia has unique natural resources and rich biodiversity. However, the environment is threatened by emissions, poor waste management, deforestation and the effects of climate change.
The country’s economically important mining industry needs to become more sustainable from both an environmental and a labour perspective. The energy sector is underdeveloped and the country’s energy needs are mainly met by the Medzamor nuclear power plant – often referred to as the unsafest nuclear power plant in the world.
Sida supports projects to reduce dependence on nuclear power, lower the country’s energy consumption and improve the environment in Armenia. Here are some examples of projects Sida supports:
Through the E5P (Eastern European Energy Efficiency and Environmental Partnership) fund, Sida supports the improvement of Armenia’s deficient waste management system. The country is also lacking a fully functioning recycling system. The fund is also financing a project for environmentally friendly city buses in Yerevan.
Street lighting in Armenia’s cities are often not energy efficient and function poorly. In Armenia’s second largest city, Gyumri, Sida, along with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), is assisting in renovating the city’s lighting. By replacing older mercury-based lamps with more energy-efficient LED lamps, both energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.
Unemployment is high and many people in rural areas still live below the poverty line.3 High unemployment, especially among young people, is driving many people out of Armenia.4 There are also large economic gaps between urban and rural areas. Geopolitical tensions in the neighbouring region and the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan also contributes to economic uncertainty.5
Economic development that benefits everyone – including those currently excluded from the economy – is an important part of aid. It improves the living conditions of women, young people and other vulnerable groups.
More inclusive and sustainable economic development is important for the overall economic dynamics of the country and the region. It increases crisis resilience for all Armenians and strengthens human rights and sustainable natural resource management. It reduces and prevents conflict-related suffering.
Sida supports projects that contribute to increased economic justice and jobs with good labour terms. Here are some examples of projects that Sida supports:
Together with the Swiss aid agency Helvetas, Sida supports women, Sida supports women, young people and other vulnerable groups to enter the Labour market.
About the Helvetas programme on their website
- About unemployment in Armenia on the EU portal on EU statistics (Eurostat) website
- World Economic Forum Gender Equality Index 2022
- Unemployment in Armenia on the World Bank website
- Youth unemployment rate Armenia on the World Bank website
- Corruption Index Armenia on the Transparency International website
Updated: July 17, 2023