THE ITALIAN PARTECIPATION IN THE RURAL POVERTY ERADICATION PROGRAM

It is worthwhile pointing out that the Armenian Government gave start in September 2006 to an ambitious project aimed at promoting the development of 50 villages located on the borders (which were selected among a first set of 159 communities). The project is focused on the eradication of rural poverty and on the need of balancing the economic growth within the country, which is for the time being uniquely revolving around the capital city. The initiative is following 3 main streams: building new infrastructures, developing economy and promoting democratic institutions by means of a ‘community engagement’ scheme. Each village will be entitled to hold irrigation canals, water pipes, medical and school facilities, telephone nets, paved streets, internet and TV connections. As far as the economic development is concerned, suitable policies allowing for micro-crediting will be adopted, so as to enhance private entrepreneurship and to get each village to specialise in some specific productions. Furthermore, particular care will be devoted to enhance the idea of ownership of the initiative by means of direct involvement of local communities in the implementation of the projects. According to the Government’s wishes, the project will have to be harmonised with what UNDP has already been doing in Armenia, as well as with the USA Millennium Challenge Account and the World Bank’s initiatives, so as to avoid overlapping and redundant efforts.   The involvement of the Armenian diaspora will be crucial, as already sensitised by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vartan Oskanian, during his missions abroad. As a matter of fact, Italy will be the first country taking part in this important initiative by contributing the conspicuous amount of 500,000 euros for an action to be developed in the region of Tavush.

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