Participatory policymaking toolkit for Armenia

This project develops a Toolkit for Innovative and Participatory Policymaking in Armenia, together with training and practical experimentation inside government. We want to translate participatory governance from an abstract principle into clear tools, methods, and guidance that Armenian policymakers can apply directly in their everyday work.

The project responds to a broader shift in how policymaking must operate today. Governments increasingly need ways to rebuild common ground in society, draw on knowledge that exists beyond public administration, recognise emerging opportunities created by economic and technological change, and continuously learn as policies evolve and regulatory environments shift. Participatory policymaking provides one way to organise these capacities in practice.

About the project

The project develops a practical toolkit that entrenches participation across the policy cycle, from problem definition to policy design and implementation. Rather than treating engagement as a single consultation exercise, the toolkit focuses on how participatory approaches can support policymaking processes that are collaborative, innovative, and responsive to real-world conditions.

The toolkit will include practical guidance, templates, and methods that help civil servants organise stakeholder engagement, map relevant actors, and connect participatory input to policy decisions. The aim is to create a resource that fits the realities of public administration: limited time, competing priorities, and the need for clear processes.

Alongside the toolkit development, the project includes two activities that allow policymakers and stakeholders to apply participatory approaches directly.

• A capacity-building session for civil servants focuses on the practical application of participatory policymaking, introducing tools that help policymakers integrate external perspectives into policy design.
• A co-creation session with policymakers and societal stakeholders applies participatory methods to a concrete policy issue: improving skills development and employability pathways for refugees. The session brings together civil servants, practitioners, and stakeholders to explore policy challenges collectively and test participatory methods in practice.

Insights from these activities will inform the toolkit and help ensure that the final guidance reflects real policymaking needs.

Our contribution

Demos Helsinki leads the design and implementation of the project.

Over the past decade, we have worked with ministries, Prime Minister’s Offices, and international partners to design new methods for public sector innovation and participatory governance.

The project combines research-informed design with participatory facilitation. Policymakers and stakeholders contribute directly to shaping the toolkit through co-creation processes. This approach increases ownership while ensuring that the final guidance is practical and relevant for Armenian institutions.

The aim is not only to create a toolkit but also to strengthen the capabilities needed for participatory policymaking within Armenian governance systems.

Outputs, partners, and timeline

Outputs

• Toolkit for Innovative and Participatory Policymaking in Armenia
• One capacity-building session for civil servants
• One co-creation session with policymakers and stakeholders

Partners

The project is commissioned by the SDG Innovation Lab, part of UNDP Armenia, funded by UNDP Norway, and implemented in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office of Armenia.

Timeline

Expected completion: May 2026.

For more information, please contact: 

Lara Best-Dunkley
lara.best-dunkley@demoshelsinki.fi 

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