The Union of Communities of Armenia actively cooperates in the framework of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. Armenia is represented in the Congress by a delegation of 4 representatives and 4 substitutes. Head of Armenian delegation is Mr. Emin Yeritsyan, President of the Union of Communities of Armenia.

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is a pan-European political assembly, the 648 members of which hold elective office (they may be regional or municipal councillors, mayors or presidents of regional authorities) representing over 200,000 authorities in 47 European states.

Its role is to promote local and regional democracy, improve local and regional governance and strengthen authorities' self-government. It pays particular attention to application of the principles laid down in the European Charter of Local Self-Government. It encourages the devolution and regionalisation processes, as well as transfrontier co-operation between cities and regions.

Euro-region “EuroCaucasus” was established in 2009 by Armenian and Georgian municipalities with support from the National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALAG) and the Communities Association of Armenia (CAA). The founding Declaration was signed in Tbilisi by Mr. Emin Yeritsyan - President of CAA, Mr. Mamuka Abuladze - President of NALAG, the mayor of the city of Vanadzor (Armenia) and the mayor of the municipality of Bolnisi (Georgia). The founding forum was attended by high level representatives from Armenian and Georgian central authorities as well as representatives from international organisations and foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Georgia. 

Euro Caucasus unites 4 municipalities from Georgia (Dmanisi, Bolnisi, Marneuli and Ninotsminda) and municipalities from three Marzes from Armenia (Tavush, Lori and Shirak). Euro-region “EuroCaucasus” is the result of a long and successful cooperation between the Local Governments’ Associations of Armenia (CAA) and Georgia (NALAG). It is for the first time in the Caucasus that municipalities entered in cross-border cooperation and established an institutional body to achieve harmonized development and economic prosperity.

Leaders of municipalities and communities from Armenia and Georgia express their will to promote cooperation and development for the sake of their citizens and future generations.  Members of EuroCaucasus recognize the principle of sovereignty and integrity of their national states and express strong political will to cooperate for achieving peace, democracy and development in entire region.

Members of EuroCaucasus state that the organization is open for municipalities from all three countries of the South Caucasus. EuroCaucasus’ policy is to expand a regime of cooperation among the municipalities across Georgian-Azerbaijan borders and hopes that in the future cross-border cooperation in the south Caucuses will have a multilateral nature, involving all regional stakeholders and institutions. It is EuroCaucasus’ believe that, like in Europe, cross-border cooperation will serve as an efficient tool for integration and democratic stability in the Caucasus.    

The Union of Communities of Armenia actively cooperates in the framework of the Conference of the Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership. Armenia is represented in CORLEAP by a delegation consisting of 3 members. Head of Armenian delegation is Mr. Emin Yeritsyan, President of the Union of Communities of Armenia.

The Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership, also known as "CORLEAP", is the political forum of local and regional authorities from the European Union and the Eastern Partnership countries. CORLEAP is the only EU platform that offers an opportunity to discuss the contribution by cities and regions in the development of the Eastern Partnership.

CORLEAP consists of 36 regional and local politicians: 18 from the EU's Committee of the Regions and 18 from the six Eastern partner countries. The body is co-chaired by the President of the Committee of the Regions and a representative from the partner countries who is elected by CORLEAP members each year.

CORLEAP aims to:

• Coordinate the representation of the local and regional authorities within the Eastern Partnership;
• complement and support the effort by the EU institutions and other participating stakeholders in delivering the European Neighbourhood Policy;
• spread the concepts that will bring partner countries closer to the EU and foster the internal reform and capacity building at the local and regional level.

 The Context of Engagement in Armenia

The first contacts between the Rhône-Alpes region and Armenian communities took place within the framework of the study  that was carried out by the Rhône-Alpes region in  Armenia in 2007.

In 2006-2007, the Rhône-Alpes region administration wanted to express its commitment to existing cultural exchanges and existing ties between the two territories by supporting the celebration of the Year of Armenia in France. It has supported 30 events in the communities, with a view to better recognizing the historical ties between France and Ron Alpes in particular with Armenia, as well as promote Armenian culture.

In 2008, after a series of field research and numerous missions, the Ron Alpes region decided to establish a preferential partnership with Armenia given the rich context that preceded this initiative.

A decision was made in connection establish a partnership across the entire territory of Armenia with 8 out of 10 marzes, where cooperation agreements between cities  were distributed among Overshoon and Rhône-Alper regions.

This new partnership has also been incorporated under the auspices of the Sustainable Development Theme, in accordance with the Charter for Decentralized Cooperation for Sustainable Development.

In October 2008, the first agreement of cooperation was adopted and  later renewed in July 2012.

 Objectives and activities of the cooperation:

 A) investments in the territorial development;

• In response to the development imbalance between Yerevan and the regions of Armenia, priority was given to the programs implemented in the regions.
• Development of crafts, support for enterprise creation, agriculture and sustainable tourism development in collaboration with Overshun-Rhode Alps.,
• Support of vocational and higher education as well as professional exchanges,
• Prioritizing environmental issues to facilitate the social well-being of the population; Adaptation of energy-producing infrastructures, ...
• Valuation the cultural heritage in both Armenia and the Rhine-Alps on the basis of the shared memory of both nations

B) Promotion of local self-governance; -Supporting Armenian Local Self-Government Bodies (July 22, 1996 law) and the work undertaken by the Community to promote local self-determination, training of selected and regional representatives.

C) Assistance to Francophonie; -Francophonie's appreciation is a tool for rapprochement of citizens of Rhône-Alpes and Armenia.

Expected prospects:

The emphasis will be on better coordination between programs, better project outcomes, and better coordination with local authorities to strengthen the co-operation. Priority will be given to agriculture, viticulture and energy.

Cooperation between Union of Communities of Armenia and Energy Cities started in 2015 in the framework of "Covenant of Mayors East II" project. Since 2017 Union of Communitie sof Armenia is a fullmember of the Energy Cities Organization. 

Energy Cities is the European association of cities in energy transition. Since almost 30 years, the network with its 1,000 member cities and organisations advocates a democratic and decentralised energy transition, led by the regional and local levels.

The main missions of the city network 

Fostering and harvesting innovative city experiences: guides and reports, best practices, etc.

Facilitating exchanges between those committed to a carbon-neutral future: debates, study tours, webinars, etc.

Forming and participating in alliances to represent the local level interests and influence national and EU energy and climate policies, e.g. the Coalition for Energy Savings.

Nourishing the political debate in Europe for decentralised energy production and consumption: policy briefings, consultation responses, meetings with decision-makers of European institutions, media action, etc.

Energy Cities demonstrates that the energy transition road is paved with social, environmental and economic benefits for all. Energy Cities‘ strong involvement and co-leadership in the Covenant of Mayors since its creation in 2009 witnesses this commitment.

Proposals for the energy transition of cities and towns

Energy Cities drafted a series of proposals for accelerating the energy transition of European cities and towns. They are based on innovative approaches, new ideas and ground-breaking practices. They provide practical answers and link today’s action to the long-term vision of a low energy city with a high quality of life for all. 

A sharper and 3D vision of our energy future

Energy Cities’ political 3D vision allows for both a wide-viewing angle and a high precision look at the energy future. Three components that will bring change:

1. Divest,
2. Democratise,
3. Devolve.

The “Armenian Lawyers’ Association” (ALA) NGO was founded in 1995, by a group of students from the faculty of law at Yerevan State University with other young lawyers. It has been registered as a non-governmental organization in the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia on 14 March, 1995, and re-registered on 23 May 1997.

The organization was established having the aim of coordinating the efforts of its members and supporters, as well as of the new generation of lawyers, to promote the establishment of Armenia as a sovereign, democratic, legal and social state. 

ALA has established ties with different local and international organizations both in Armenia and abroad. The organization has been a member of the European Young Bar Association since 1998. The organization has established partner relations with a number of international organizations. In 2001 ALA prompted the establishment of the Coalition of Organizations Providing Free Legal Services, which now has 15 member organizations.

 In June 2006, the ALA started to publish its monthly “Legal Newsletter”, which is provided to the lawyers, advocates, judges and other entities. In 2006 ALA participated and supported to the establishment of the Mediation Project and the Mediation Court.

In 2007 ALA carried out independent external evaluation, as well as elaborated and started its long-term Strategic Plan for 2007-2013.

The Agreement of cooperation between Armenian Lawers' Association and Union of Communities of Armenia was updated on 10 Novemer 2017.

Cités Unies France (CUF), “French United local governments” is a federation of French local and regional governments involved in international relations and, in particular, in decentralized co-operation.

Cités Unies France aims at promoting local democracy, peace, international solidarity, and a strong and genuine participation of the population in local affairs. It also firmly believes cities and other levels of local and regional government can only win by exchanging on challenges that face them all over the world.

CUF maintains a close working relation with French national authorities - it has a three-year agreement with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, French NGOs, several institutions in the field of international co-operation, and the European Commission.

Էջը հասանելի է հայերեն և ֆրանսերեն  լեզուներով

The Union of Russian Cities (URC) is an authoritative contemporary association of municipalities. At the moment URC unites 91 municipalities of Russian Federation and 69 of them are the capitals of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation including Moscow and Sevastopol cities. 

An annual important event for the municipal community of Russia has become the Best Municipal Practice Forum and which regularly been held by the Union of Russian Cities since 2013. The Forum acquired the status of an international meeting in 2016 and is recognized as a place not only for popularization, dissemination and exchange of best municipal experience but as well for signing agreements of friendship and partnership between Russian and foreign cities.

The international cooperation is defined in the Charter of the Union of Russian Cities. According to this subject URC has made a significant contribution to inter-municipal cooperation on the international level. So with the active participation of URC’ members the European Charter of Local Self-Government was signed on 28 February 1998 in the Russian Federation.

The President of the URC Stanislav Mosharov is a member of National delegation for the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CLRA) of Europe. The Executive director of the union is Mrs. Aleksandra Ignateva.

On 10 November 2017 a Memorandum of cooperation was signed between Union of Russian cities and the Union of Communities of Armenia.

Նյութը հասանելի է հայերեն և ֆրանսերեն լեզուներով

The Union of Communities of Armenia is a member of UCLG since its foundation.

United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) represents and defends the interests of local governments on the world stage, regardless of the size of the communities they serve. Headquartered in Barcelona, the organisation’s stated mission is:

‘’ To be the united voice and world advocate of democratic local self-government, promoting its values, objectives and interests, through cooperation between local governments, and within the wider international community’’.

United Cities and Local Governments supports international cooperation between cities and their associations, and facilitates programmes, networks and partnerships to build the capacities of local governments. The organization promotes the role of women in local decision-making, and is a gateway to relevant information on local government across the world.

In October 2011 a Local Democracy Agency was opened in the city of Gyumri. Now. The Armenia and Voskehask community are members of ALDA.

ALDA - the European Association for Local Democracy is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the promotion of good governance and citizen participation at the local level. ALDA in particular focuses on activities that facilitate cooperation between local authorities and civil society. 

ALDA was established in 1999 at the initiative of the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities to coordinate and support a network of Local Democracy Agencies which was established in the early 1990s. It remains one of its supporting programmes. It is the umbrella organisation of the Local Democracy Agencies which are self-sustainable, locally registered NGOs that act as promoters of good governance and local self-government.

ALDA is a membership based organisation gathering more than 180 members (including Local Authorities, Associations of Local Authorities and non-governmental organisations) coming from more than 35 countries. ALDA is funded through membership fees and project funding from the European Commission, the Council of Europe and other public and private donors. 

The Association of European Border Regions (AEBR) is an organization of European regions and deals with cross-border cooperation in Europe and other continents. AEBR's main office is based in Gronau, Germany. It represents the interests of the European border and cross-border regions at European, national and regional levels.

AEBR formed about 100 border and cross-border regions, representing over 200 border regions within and outside the EU. Cross-border regions (e.g. Euroregio) and larger combinations (for example Greater Region Saar-Lor-Lux) often have multiple regions as members.

AEBR supports European border and cross-border regions in order to:

-make their particular problems, opportunities, tasks and projects intelligible

-represent their overall interests towards national and international parliaments, other authorities and institutions

-initiate, support and coordinate their co-operation throughout Europe.

Lori and Tavush marzes are full members of AER.

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe, gathering regions from 35 countries – from Norway to Turkey and from Russia to Portugal. AER is present everywhere on the European continent, inside and outside the European Union. The setting up of concrete partnerships with thematic networks and the opening towards the business world allowed AER to give a new impulse to the actions of regional political leaders all over Europe, and beyond.

With member regions from 35 countries, AER is the voice of regional authorities since 1985 and has played a pivotal role in recognising regions as key players in the European construction.

The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Development of the Republic of Armenia is a republican body of executive power that elaborates and implements the policy of the Government of the Republic of Armenia in the area of territorial administration and development.

Parent VNG was established in 1912 and is now one of the world’s oldest and strongest local government associations with around 350 staff. It is a vast resource of experience. VNG International is located in VNG headquarters in The Hague and has easy access to all its know-how, experience and facilities. VNG International is also active in international networks such as United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).

With around 50 staff and around a further 60 staff members in various daughter companies and project, VNG International implements around 30 projects worldwide and has a turnover of around 23 million USD. VNG International implements technical assistance and local government capacities development programs for - among others -the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, USAID, the European Commission and the World Bank. VNG International has established three daughter companies in South Africa, Tunisia and Czech Republic, which contributes to a strong presence of VNG International in these and the surrounding countries. 

Cooperation with Habitat for Humanity Armenia foundation Union of Communities of Armenia started since 2015 in the framework of projects regarding to local self-governmental bodies. 

Habitat for Humanity Armenia (Habitat Armenia) is the national office of Habitat for Humanity International founded on the conviction that everyone should have a decent place to live.

Since 2000, through the work of Habitat for Humanity Armenia, more than 5,400 low-income families have found new hope in the form of affordable housing.  More recently Habitat for Humanity Armenia has increased their stake in affordable housing by helping to institutionalize energy efficiency in the country.  By partnering with financial institutions, local municipalities, as well as international organizations, home owner associations and tenants of residential buildings, Habitat Armenia initiates substantial sustainable energy projects in residential sector.

Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower

Yerevan is a community and the capital of Armenia.
Yerevan is a judicial person, has right to property and other rights to estate. Yerevan has a budget as well as a seal with  image of the blazon and denomination of RA.
Local   governance in Yerevan is based   on RA law of “self- governance”   statutory principles providing proportionate development of all administrative districts of Yerevan.
Administrative boundaries of Yerevan are determined by law of “Administrative territorial dividing”.
The organs of Yerevan local governance are:     Council of the aldermen of Yerevan and  the Mayor of Yerevan.  The organs of Yerevan local governance are functioning in their residence: at 1, Argishti Street. The Council of the aldermen of Yerevan can organize its activity (including the meetings) in the other places according to the decision of the council.  The Ministry of Territorial Administration of RA is implementing the territorial management in Yerevan.  According to the decision of the government,   certain functions of the territorial management in Yerevan can be transferred   to the other republican organs of executive governance. 

he Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia (MFA of Armenia) is a state body of executive power, which under the general leadership of the President of the Republic of Armenia elaborates and implements Armenian policy in the area of foreign affairs, organizes and manages diplomatic service within the framework of its authority.

The MFA acts according to the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, legislation, decrees, regulations, as well as foreign policy guidelines of the President.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinates the activities of the executive power bodies of the Republic in international arena.