AEPLAC V PROJECT SYNOPSIS

Project objectives

According to the Terms of Reference (ToR), the project aims primarily at building a long-lasting capacity in public administration of Armenia to implement the PCA and the ENP under the guidance of the EU Advisory Team and of the EC Delegation.

AEPLAC V has three purposes, in particular:

• Purpose 1: to assist Armenia to strengthen the overall capacity of the administrative bodies in charge of fostering EU integration through PCA and ENP implementation;
• Purpose 2: to support the EU Advisory Team deployed in selected Armenian administrations in providing advice to bodies of the RA for the implementation of the ENP Action Plan;
• Purpose 3: to promote EU visibility and awareness in the whole country and different spheres of society

Results to be achieved at the end of the project are specified as follows:

• The general capacity of the Armenian authorities to implement the ENP Action Plan is significantly improved;
• Management capacities to deal with ENP instruments is increased and responsible administrations are staffed with trained civil servants and equipped with prioritising, planning, coordination and monitoring capacities as well as screening of legislation tools;
• New and rational synergies are developed between state structures involved in the implementation of the ENP AP and other stakeholders playing a significant role in promoting EU values and EU visibility (universities, chambers of commerce, research centres, information centres) in Yerevan and in the regions;
• Overall awareness of the EU is significantly increased in the population in general and specifically in the business community and among decision makers, in Yerevan and in the regions;

AEPLAC V performs three specific activities

• Activity 1: Assist Armenia to strengthen selected administrations and institutions in charge of fostering EU integration

This activity will be developed and implemented in close cooperation with the EU Advisory Team. Based on a thorough assessment to be performed during the inception phase (based as well on previous studies performed by the EC and other donors), the Consultant will make recommendations on ways to reorganise and strengthen selected public administrations and on a training map to be developed for selected administrations with the aim to build in those administrations and institutions a long lasting capacity to deal with EU integration. The Consultant will also reflect, in close cooperation with the Armenian authorities, the EC Delegation and under the guidance of the EU Advisory Team, about the creation of a supporting unit or department within the Prime Minister office, or reporting to the Prime Minister, to enhance the strategic ability of the Government to design and implement reforms (internalizing some of the support received so far from AEPLAC).
Ultimately, the Consultant will organise the trainings and/or study tours identified above, trying to identify relevant experiences in other ENP or in EU countries, and developing as often as possible synergies with other EU funded projects (EU law chair at the State University for instance) and/or instruments, in particular TAIEX and SIGMA. The Consultant will be also invited to identify and promote possible synergies among entities already existing in Armenia and involved in different aspects in EU. These are, in addition to official structures and administrations (indicative list only): the Centre for European Legislation and Integration (CELI) at the Yerevan State University, the European and French Universities, chambers of commerce, ERIICTA. 

• Activity 2: Promoting visibility of the EU in Yerevan and in the regions

During the inception phase of the project, the Consultant will identify a working programme aiming at increasing EU visibility in Yerevan and in the regions. This activity will have to be carefully coordinated with the EU Advisory team and agreed with the EC Delegation.
This working programme may build on previous studies developed in Armenia and incorporate the creation of EU information centres in Yerevan and possibly in the regions of Armenia, organisation of visibility events, preparation and distribution of promotion materials, support to libraries, etc. The Consultant will be expected to provide an overview of best practices in this matter and lessons learned in the new EU member states, possibly as well in other ENP countries or candidate states.

• Activity 3: provision of "ad-hoc" assistance to the EU Advisory Team, at the request of the EU Advisory Team and after approval of the activity by the EC Delegation.

The team of AEPLAC V should be ready to answer possible requests for assistance from the EU Advisory Team - on the form of working days of expertise or logistical support to organise events or seminars for instance - but only after this request has been approved by the EC Delegation in Armenia.