Social assistance new law was discussed with 50 community social workers from across the country

Yerevan, March 31, 2023 – An important dialogue was organized in Yerevan today, dedicated to community social work highlighting the key role social workers play in the whole chain of social support and social services. UNICEF, UNDP, WFP, European Delegation to Armenia, International Republican Institute, key civil society organizations and more than 50 community social workers across the country gathered under one roof under the leadership of Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure.

Welcoming participants to this dialogue, UNICEF Representative in Armenia, Christine Weigand, highlighted that “Social protection is a universal human right and a precondition for a world free from poverty. It is also a vital foundation to help the world’s most vulnerable children fulfil their potential and increase their access to food, nutrition, education, and healthcare. Therefore, it is so important to build the whole chain of social support and services – from the community level up to the national one – in a true spirit of collaboration, partnership, and common vision.”

In his introductory remarks Narek Mkrtchyan, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, emphasized the significance of close and efficient collaboration between community and Unified Social Service social workers. "The primary goal of both groups should be the same - to enhance the process of comprehensively assessing citizen’s needs and delivering essential social services in a more efficient and targeted manner."

"The state is working towards establishing a social worker institute, and as part of this effort, the community social worker positions have been created within the community workforce. In addition, detailed job descriptions had been developed and shared with communities. We hope that this will enable social workers to closely work with communities, international organizations and non-governmental organizations leading to effective solutions for social problems,” noted Gnel Sanosyan, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures.

During his opening remarks, Mr Frank Hess, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Armenia, emphasized, "The European Union is committed to have a positive impact on the quality of lives of Armenian citizens and improving the social protection system in Armenia. The EU, along with UNICEF, UNDP and WFP, is actively supporting the Government’s efforts to establish a social protection system that is both inclusive and resilient."

“The International Republican Institute highly appreciates the Ministry’s readiness and efforts to discuss the new law on social assistance with social workers. As first-line respondents to the issues children and families face, they are best placed to know the specifics of the law and they are the first who can suggest necessary changes to make the law more responsive to the people’s needs. We are willing to support the Ministry in arranging public discussions of this and upcoming laws,” noted Mr. Artak Shakaryan, Senior Program Manager at the International Republican Institute.

This discussion was the first of a series of activities planned within a UN joint programme funded by EU. For the next four years UNICEF and partners will be continuously supporting the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs with the reform efforts, focusing on policy and legal framework development, strengthening of administrative data systems, continuous capacity development of social service workforce and testing of new tools and approaches, with a particular focus on Syunik, Gegharkunik and Shirak regions.