Report

On the Activities of the Department of Children and Social Protection of Yerevan Municipality During the First Half of 2025

In accordance with its charter and within the limits of its authority, the Department of Children and Social Protection of the Yerevan Municipality carries out various functions to address the needs of Yerevan’s residents.
The Department actively cooperates with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, administrative districts, local branches of the Unified Social Service, orphanages, child care and support centers, as well as various organizations operating in the field of social protection.
The Department took measures to develop and introduce comprehensive mechanisms aimed at strengthening child protection and promoting social welfare.
Consultations were offered to citizens on matters within the Department’s responsibility.
Monitoring visits were conducted to the child protection and social welfare divisions of the administrative districts to supervise complex cases, assess the outcomes of implemented programs, and support ongoing initiatives. Methodological coordination and support were also provided.
Inspection visits were carried out to non-governmental organizations that had received financial support from the Department to deliver services to vulnerable groups.
Meetings with program beneficiaries were held to assess their needs and provide relevant recommendations to the respective divisions of the administrative districts. 
Staff of the Department actively participated in a number of discussions, meetings, and training sessions, including the Session of the Council for Juvenile Justice, the Ministerial Committee on Social Affairs, and the session of the Public Council on the Protection of Children’s Rights under the Human Rights Defender - organized on the occasion of International Children’s Day at the initiative of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia, with the support of UNICEF. The representatives of the Department took part in the meeting of the Working Group of the Council on Women’s Issues, the 2024 year-end event of the Apaga Charitable Foundation, the United for Social Justice International Conference, and a specialized training-discussion aimed at strengthening professional capacity for the implementation of the “Barnahus” model. 

Social Protection Sector

Based on monthly utility bills submitted to the “Hans Christian Kofoed” Charitable Foundation, financial support was provided to reimburse utility expenses, including electricity, gas, and water. The organization serves approximately 100 individuals experiencing homelessness.
The “Prkutyun” NGO received financial support to cover utility expenses. The organization provides services to around 60 children with intellectual disabilities living in various administrative districts of Yerevan.
Financial support was provided to the “Step Forward” Social NGO to carry out free therapeutic services for approximately 120 children with disabilities, including those in need of social support.
The Yerevan community supported the “SOURCE” Foundation Supporting Children with Disabilities and Their Families in implementing programs aimed at enhancing the quality of life and promoting the physical and mental development of 160 children living with rare diseases and disabilities. 
With the support extended to the “Child Development Foundation” NGO, the organization was able to provide assistance to 50 children from families facing difficult life circumstances, which included socio-psychological support, speech and language therapy, special education services, music therapy, and other therapeutic services.
Assistance was provided to the “Mental Health Awareness Initiative” NGO to implement the pilot program “Emotional Support Hotline.” The program included training sessions, the launch of the hotline, public awareness campaigns, and other related activities. Its aim is to provide psychological support services to residents of Yerevan. 
The “Full Life” NGO received support to organize inclusive summer vacations for children with disabilities and those from socially vulnerable families (approximately 150 beneficiaries). The program was held at an inclusive camp in Stepanavan.
The “Armenian Deaf Association” NGO was supported to ensure the continued operation of its remote video call center, established under the “Empowering the Deaf Community for Inclusion” program.
Support was also provided to the “Armenian Association of the Blind” NGO to organize a concert featuring 42 individuals with visual impairments.
As a result of the support extended to "Mission Armenia" PAP, 2,490 beneficiaries will have access to a comprehensive range of social, psychological, legal, and other support services.
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, the “Union of Veterans of Armenia named after Marshal Baghramyan” NGO received support to assist 21 veterans.
The Department is taking steps to establish the Social Support Provision Council under the Mayor of Yerevan, in accordance with Decision No. 253 adopted on June 24, 2020. The Council is intended to address volunteer-related issues within social support programs in the city of Yerevan.
During the Council meeting, seven cases were reviewed, of which six were approved: five for tuition fee reimbursement and one for improving living conditions. One case was rejected due to the late and incomplete submission of documents. 
In accordance with Decision No. 245-N adopted by the Yerevan City Council on November 19, 2024, an allocation of 1,000,000 AMD is planned for citizens aged 100 and above who have been registered residents of Yerevan for at least five years. To implement the program, beneficiary lists were compiled in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Based on data provided by the administrative districts, the corresponding orders were prepared. To facilitate disbursement, the department cooperated with “Haypost” CJSC. So far, 39 citizens have received financial assistance within the framework of this initiative.
A technical requirements document was developed, and a procurement request was submitted to provide social support services for the elderly. As a result, the winning bidder has already been selected, and 55 inbound tours are planned for approximately 1,100 elderly beneficiaries.
To implement the support program for families displaced from Artsakh, initiated by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, a technical requirements document was prepared, and the procurement process has been completed. As a result, 475 children will receive sports uniforms.
Within the framework of social support initiatives, a social taxi service for individuals with disabilities is planned to be established.

Child protection sector

On June 1, on the occasion of International Children’s Day, an event titled “Yerevan Municipality for Children” was organized. 64 school-aged children took part in a session of the Yerevan City Council (known as the “School Council of Elders”, during which students assumed the roles of City Council members). Following the session, the children toured the Yerevan History Museum and, at the end of the day, received books as gifts.
As part of the events dedicated to International Children’s Day, around 150 children visited the “Greening and Environmental Protection” and “Animal Care Center” NGOs. There, they got acquainted with the organizations’ activities and peculiarities, learned about environmental protection, and developed a sense of care for nature and animals.
Approximately 30 children living in difficult life circumstances visited various cultural institutions, including the Komitas Museum-Institute and the House-Museum of Aram Khachaturian. The initiative aimed to foster interest in Armenian culture and introduce children to national values. During the visits, they explored the lives and creative legacies of these renowned Armenian artists. At the end of the program, the children received books dedicated to Komitas and Aram Khachaturian.
The program will continue in July, when approximately 20 children will visit the House-Museum of Martiros Saryan.
Based on the procedure established by RA Government Decision No. 962-N, adopted on 22.06.2006, and according to data submitted by the administrative districts, 28 children without parental care were registered, including one child categorized as such.
In accordance with the procedure approved by RA Government Decision No. 1112-N, adopted on 25.09.2015 (Appendix 1), conclusions on the placement of 17 children in child care institutions were issued.
Pursuant to the procedure established by RA Government Decision No. 269-N, adopted on 18.03.2010 (Appendix 1), and based on the documents submitted by citizens, the results of living condition assessments, and the conclusions provided by local unified social service centers, 4 positive conclusions were issued regarding adoption, and 5 individuals wishing to adopt a child were registered.
In accordance with the procedure mentioned above, 18 requests were prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia to determine the possibility of visiting and adopting a child. As a result, 4 conclusions were provided, confirming personal contact between individuals registered as prospective adoptive parents and children eligible for adoption. 13 children were registered as eligible for adoption.
Based on Decision No. 751-N of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, adopted on 13.06.2019, 4 citizens were registered as individuals wishing to become foster parents. Given the applications submitted by these individuals, and in accordance with Order No. 891-A of the Mayor of Yerevan, adopted on 25.09.2019, the data of 20 foster parents and children in need of foster care were compared. To extend the duration of existing foster care agreements, 17 draft agreements "On Making Amendments and Supplements to Foster Care Contracts" were prepared. Visits were conducted to orphanages and child care centers to take part in meetings organized for the purpose of comparing the information of prospective foster parents with the data of children requiring foster care.
In accordance with Articles 128.1 and 139.1 of the Family Code of the Republic of Armenia, as well as Government Decision No. 751-N adopted on 13.06.2019, supervision was conducted over the life, health, upbringing, and living conditions of children cared for in foster families, as well as over the care provided to adopted children by their families.
Data of children living in difficult life circumstances were submitted to the “Manuk” information system, with necessary changes made as required.
Within the framework of the project aimed at advancing the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, data collected from administrative districts on cases of physical punishment and/or psychological aggression by parents, foster parents, or legal representatives against children aged 1–17 was submitted to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia on a monthly basis.
To protect the rights and interests of children in vulnerable situations, the Department carried out activities within the scope of its authority, as defined by the current legislation. Reported cases involving children in difficult life circumstances were reviewed in cooperation with the Trusteeship and Custodianship Commissions of the administrative districts. Referrals were made to the relevant state and non-governmental organizations to ensure that children receive the necessary services.
Department representatives took part in the sessions of the Trusteeship and Custodianship Commissions, where special cases of children were discussed. Ongoing professional advice and methodological support were provided to the Commissions, as well as to staff of the children and social protection divisions of the administrative districts.
In the area of child protection, the Department maintained active cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, administrative districts, local branches of the Unified Social Service, orphanages, child care and support centers, and various organizations operating in the field.
Citizens who contacted Yerevan Municipality with concerns related to child protection received appropriate consultations. The Department’s representatives also attended the meetings, discussions, and consultations concerning child protection issues. Draft legislation related to the sector was reviewed by the Department, and corresponding proposals were submitted.