In 2017, the United States and Armenia will celebrate twenty-five years of diplomatic relations. Over this time, the two governments have worked together to overcome the challenges Armenia faces as a country in transition. USAID has played a key role in this partnership by managing approximately two-thirds of the total U.S. assistance program.

USAID/Armenia’s overarching goal for 2013-2017 is to help Armenia succeed as a more engaged, prosperous and well-governed society. Moving toward sustainability, USAID has partnered directly with the Government of Armenia and local organizations in building their capacity to lead the reform agenda. Across the portfolio, USAID also increases partnerships with the private sector, civil society, local institutions, and other donors to achieve lasting results and leave legacies in areas where the potential for progress and meaningful change is strongest. In this perspective, the United States’ historically strong and cooperative bilateral relationship has gradually evolved from one that is based on assistance to one that is grounded in partnership.

USAID has set three objectives in support of this goal:

• Inclusive and sustainable growth enhanced – USAID will work to enhance more inclusive growth by promoting equal opportunities, supporting competitive industries that can create jobs, increasing access to markets and resources, and improving the playing field for innovation, investments, and businesses. Programs will also focus on effective policies, increased regional integration, and skilled workforce that can drive future growth.
• More participatory, effective, and accountable governance –Targeting reform areas where there is political will, USAID will work with the Government of Armenia to make governance more transparent, participatory and responsive to citizens. USAID will strengthen key institutions, such as the National Assembly and local governments, to counterbalance the power of the Executive branch. At the same time, the Mission will build civil society’s capacity to more productively engage in policymaking and reform implementation.
• Selected health outcomes improved and sustained – With the anticipated close-out of U.S. assistance to Armenia’s health care sector by 2017, USAID will follow a more focused approach in health care programming in Armenia. While capitalizing on partnerships, increased host country ownership, and legacies of USAID’s twenty years of investment, the Mission will address remaining issues in three priority areas – maternal and child health, family planning, and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis.

In addition, USAID pays special attention to youth as drivers of change, and cultivates innovation and technology across its programs to expand economic opportunities and reduce Armenia’s isolation and border constraints.

To learn more about the USAID/Armenia Country Development Cooperation Strategy 2013-2017, please visit the link below:
http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1863/Armenia-CDCS.pdf