On November 14, the Alaverdi Community Council approved the community’s first Social Development Program for 2026–2028. This comes following the Armenia’s new Law on Social Assistance, adopted in 2024, according to which all communities are now required to develop a Social Development Program.

The Program aims to improve the quality of life of socially vulnerable groups, expand opportunities for sustainable income generation, strengthen resilience, and support broader socio-economic development within the community. With the adoption of this program, the municipality will be able to plan and allocate resources more strategically, while improving its capacity to attract additional funding from national and international organizations.

One of the most notable shifts introduced by the program is the move from one-time cash assistance toward a capacity-development and empowerment model. Rather than providing only temporary financial support, the new approach prioritizes identifying beneficiaries’ long-term needs, skills, and potential, and designing tailored interventions that help establish sustainable livelihoods. Some of these interventions ,including capacity-development activities,will be outsourced and delivered by specialized local and international organizations and experts.

Equally significant is the process through which the Social Development Program was developed. For the first time, the community used a structured, evidence-based approach guided by a dedicated working group and informed by a comprehensive needs assessment. This assessment was based on interviews and focus group discussions with community members, represents an important shift toward data-driven decision-making and more citizen-centered planning.

The 2026–2028 Social Development Program outlines measures across four strategic directions։ preparatory work (needs assessment and identification of beneficiaries); social support; social development; and climate action, together establishing a foundation for a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for Alaverdi․

The Social Development program was developed through the UNDP Strengthening Community Resilience through Energy Efficiency and Low-Emission Development project, funded by the Government of Sweden (Sida).