Road Map for Mainstreaming Ageing in Armenia Evaluation ......Executive summary In 2012, the Road Map for Mainstreaming Ageing in Armenia was adopted. Its development was one of the

Road Map for Mainstreaming Ageingin Armenia

Evaluation Report(May 2016)

Note

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers and boundaries.

Acknowledgements

This evaluation report was prepared by an evaluation consultant, Karen Cadondon, hired for this task by the Population Unit of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). At the UNECE Population Unit, Birte Ifang edited the report and France Font-Vérot prepared the layout. The Population Unit is grateful for financial support received from Sweden.UNECE would like to thank partners in Armenia for their excellent cooperation and support, in particular Armenia’s national focal point on ageing, Anahit Martirosyan of the Ministry of Labour and Social Issues, and Armine Mkhitaryan of the Armenian National Institute of Labor and Social Research. Specific thanks go to the two members of the UNECE Working Group on Ageing who participated in the fact-finding mission to Armenia, Anna Gralberg from the Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs and Aliona Cretu from the Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and the Family of the Republic of Moldova. UNECE would also like to thank all stakeholders who took part in the evaluation questionnaire, interviews and focus group discussions. A full list of the persons consulted can be found in Annex 3.

Photo credits: iStock.com/ShushanHarutyunyan (p. viii); iStock.com/marlenka (p. xii); iStock.com/Ozbalci (p. 6); iStock.com/Lampochka (p. 32)

Contents

LIST OF FIGURES .....................................................................................................................................v

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .........................................................................................................................v

KEY DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS AND POPULATION PROFILES - ARMENIA .........................................vii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................... ix - xi

1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 1-2 1.1. SituationofOlderPersonsinArmenia ................................................................................ 1 1.2. RoadMaponMainstreamingAgeinginArmenia ............................................................... 1 1.3. PurposeandObjectivesofEvaluation ................................................................................ 2 1.4. ScopeofEvaluation ............................................................................................................. 2

2. METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................................... 3-5 2.1. OverviewoftheEvaluationProcess .................................................................................... 3 2.2. EvaluationCriteriaandQuestions ....................................................................................... 3 2.3. MethodsandTools.............................................................................................................. 3 2.3.1. DocumentReview ................................................................................................... 4 2.3.2. Online-basedSurveyQuestionnaire ....................................................................... 4 2.3.3. InterviewswithKeyInformants .............................................................................. 4 2.3.4. FocusGroupDiscussions ........................................................................................ 5 2.4. LimitationsandMitigationStrategies ................................................................................. 5

3. KEY FINDINGS .......................................................................................................................... 7-28 3.1. RelevancetoNationalPrioritiesandStrategies .................................................................. 7 3.2. EquityinImplementation ................................................................................................... 7 3.3. PoliticalFeasibilityforRoadMapImplementation ............................................................. 8 3.4. AdministrativeFeasibilityforImplementation .................................................................... 8 3.5. Cost-EffectivenessandTimelinessofImplementation ....................................................... 9 3.5.1. FundingArrangements ........................................................................................... 9 3.5.2. Cost-EffectivenessofImplementation .................................................................. 10 3.5.3. TimelinessofImplementation .............................................................................. 11 3.6. EffectivenessofImplementationbyGoal ......................................................................... 12 3.6.1. MainstreamingAgeing .......................................................................................... 12 3.6.2. ParticipationandIntegrationofOlderPersons .................................................... 13 3.6.3. HealthCareandQualityofLife ............................................................................. 15 3.6.4. SocialProtectionandServices .............................................................................. 18 3.6.5. EconomicParticipationandOpportunities ........................................................... 21 3.6.6. GenderEquality .................................................................................................... 24 3.6.7. SocialCohesionandIntergenerationalSolidarity ................................................. 24 3.6.8. CoordinationandPartnerships ............................................................................. 25 3.6.9. Data,MonitoringandCommunication ................................................................. 27

4. CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................................................... 29-31 4.1. Management-related ........................................................................................................ 29 4.2. Programme-related ........................................................................................................... 30

iii

Road Map for Mainstreaming Ageing in Armenia - Evaluation Report

RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................................................................................................... 33-34

ANNEXES ........................................................................................................................................ 37-66Annex1:TermsofReferenceoftheEvaluation ................................................................................... 37Annex2:ListofDocumentsConsulted ................................................................................................ 41Annex3:ListofPersonsConsulted...................................................................................................... 43Annex4:SurveyQuestionnaire ........................................................................................................... 45Annex5:Interview/FocusGroupGuide............................................................................................. 51Annex6:RoadMapGoals ................................................................................................................... 55Annex7:ListofAgeing-relatedLegislationAdopted ........................................................................... 59

iv

List of Figures

Figure1:PopulationPyramid ............................................................................................................... 1

Figure2:EvaluationProcess ................................................................................................................. 3

Figure3:EvaluationCriteriaandQuestions ......................................................................................... 4

Figure4:FunctionalCompositionofSpendingonSocialProtectionRelativetoGDP2006-2013(inpercentofGDP) ............................................................................................................................ 10

Figure5:SurveyResultsontheImplementationProgressofGoals1-5 ............................................. 11

Figure6:SurveyResultsontheImplementationProgressofGoals6-12 ........................................... 12

Figure7:EconomicallyActivePopulationbyAgeGroup(2014) ......................................................... 22

Figure8:SurveyResultsonCoordinationandPartnershipsbylevel(National,Provincial,Local) ..... 26

Figure9:SurveyResultsonCoordinationandPartnerships ............................................................... 27

List of Abbreviations

AMD ArmenianDramCIS CommonwealthofIndependentStatesCSO CivilSocietyOrganizationDAC DevelopmentAssistanceCommitteeFBO FaithBasedOrganizationFGD FocusGroupDiscussionGIZ DeutscheGesellschaftfürInternationaleZusammenarbeitILO InternationalLabourOrganisationKI KeyInformantMIPAA MadridInternationalPlanofActiononAgeingNGO Non-governmentalorganizationOECD OrganisationforEconomicCo-operationandDevelopmentPAYE PayAsYouEarnRA RepublicofArmeniaRIS RegionalImplementationStrategyUN DESA UnitedNationsDepartmentofEconomicandSocialAffairsUNDP UnitedNationsDevelopmentProgrammeUNECE UnitedNationsEconomicCommissionforEuropeUNFPA UnitedNationsPopulationFundUSAID UnitedStatesAgencyforInternationalDevelopmentUSD USAmericanDollarVET VocationalandEducationalTrainingWHO WorldHealthOrganization

v


KEY DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS AND POPULATION PROFILES - ARMENIA

INDICATOR 2011 2014 SOURCE OF DATAPopulation,total 2,970,000 3,010,000 WorldBank1

Populationgrowth(annual%) -0.43 -0.22NationalStatisticalServiceoftheRepublicofArmenia2

LifeExpectancyatbirth,total(years) 74.3 74.7 WorldBank

Literacyrate,population15+years(%) 99.74% 99.77%(2015) UNESCOInstituteforStatistics3

HumanDevelopmentIndex4 0.723 0.733 HumanDevelopmentReport5

GenderInequalityIndex6 0.343 0.381 HumanDevelopmentReport

GrossDomesticProduct(GDP)(currentUSD) 10.142Billion 11.644Billion WorldBankAnnualGDPGrowth(%) 4.7 3.5 WorldBankUnemployment,total(%oftotallabourforce) 18.4% 17.1% WorldBank

Source:UnitedNationsDepartmentofEconomicandSocialAffairs,PopulationDivision7

______________________________________________________

1WorldBank(2015):WorldDevelopmentIndicators.http://data.worldbank.org/country/armenia2NationalStatisticalServiceoftheRepublicofArmenia(2015):TheDemographicHandbookofArmenia.http://www.armstat.am/en/?nid=82&id=17293UNESCOInstituteforStatistics:http://www.uis.unesco.org/DataCentre/Pages/country-profile.aspx?code=ARM&regioncode=405054Acompositestatisticoflifeexpectancy,education,andincomepercapitaindicators,whichareusedtorankcountriesintofourtiersofhumandevelop-ment;scoresrangefrom0to1wherethehigherthescorethebetter.5UNDP(2015):HumanDevelopmentReport2015:http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/ARM6Acompositemeasurebetween0and1reflectinginequalityinachievementbetweenwomenandmeninthreedimensions:reproductivehealth,em-powermentandthelabourmarket;where0is0%inequalityand1is100%inequality.7UnitedNationsDepartmentofEconomicandSocialAffairs,PopulationDivision(2002):WorldPopulationAgeing:1950-2050.

vii

Executive summary

In2012,theRoadMapforMainstreamingAgeinginArmeniawasadopted.Itsdevelopmentwasoneofthekeyby-productsofamulti-yearcollaborationbetweentheGovernmentofArmeniaandtheUnitedNationsEconomicCommissionforEurope(UNECE).Theexercisewasinitiatedin2009withtheaimoftransformingtherecommendationsoftheMadridInternationalPlanofActiononAgeing(MIPAA)anditsRegionalImplementationStrategy(RIS)intoclearandconcreteactionsatthenationallevel.Asitisconcludingitsfirstphaseofimplementation,anindependentexternalevaluationwascommissionedin2015.

ThepurposeofthepresentevaluationistoenhancethelearningandaccountabilityoftheGovernmentofArmenia,UNECE,andotherrelevantstockholdersinvolvedintheimplementationoftheRoadMap.WhiletheevaluationwillassesstheprogressmadetowardtheachievementofthetwelvegoalsoftheRoadMapduringtheimplementationperiodof2012-2015,itwillalsobeforward-lookingsothatlearningsfromtheevaluationcanfeedintofutureimplementationcycles.

Theevaluationwasconductedinseveralphasesandusedamixed-methodapproachfordatacollectionandanalysis:adeskreview,anonlinesurvey,face-to-faceinterviewsandgroupdiscussionsaswellasafieldvisittoArmeniatocollectandanalyzedatafromvarioussources.

Overall,theevaluationfoundthatwhiletherewasmuchmomentumandsupportfortheRoadMapatitsinception,progresshassomewhatstalledastheprioritizationofageingatthenationallevelwasnotconsistentlyprominentinallareasofintervention.ThelimitedgainsinprogresshowevercouldalsobeattributedtothelateradoptionoftheRoadMap,whichresultedinashorterimplementationperiod.Broadlyspeaking,theprogressontheimplementationofthe12goalsoftheRoadMaphasbeenmixed.

Therewereseveralareasofmarkedprogress,including:

• Establishment of a coordinating body to address the challenges of ageing: In 2012, theGovernmentofArmenia setupanofficial coordinatingbody, the Inter-agencyCommitteeonAgeing, to supervise andmonitor the implementation of the RoadMap. Members includeofficials fromrelevantministriesaswellaskey representativesof internationalorganizations,civilsociety,andtradeunion.TheMinistryofLabourandSocialAffairschairstheCommittee,whichmeetsregularlythreetimesayearandconvenesonanad-hocbasis,asneeded.

• Collaboration among non-state actors:GiventheinterconnectednessoftheRoadMap,wheremanyactivitiescutacrossseveralareasofwork,theopportunitiesandtheneedforcollaborationexist.Amongnon-stateactors,therehavebeenrecentadvancestowardsastrongerallianceandmorestrategiccoordinationwiththeestablishmentofaformalnetworkofnon-governmentalorganizations(NGOs)workingspecificallyonageingissues,calledtheElderlyProtectionNetwork.

• Integration of older persons into social and cultural life: Taking Yerevanmunicipality as anexample, it has takenup goodpractices to adapt its city structures and services to be “age-friendly”,oraccessibletoandinclusiveofolderpeoplewithvaryingneeds.Inalikemanner,theMinistryofCulturehastakengreatstridestomake itsservices“age-friendly”throughmobileexhibitionsandlibraries,specialprovisionoftransporttoolderpersonstomuseumsorculturalsites,andspecificeventscateringtoandcelebratingtheoldergenerations.

• Package of services available in institutional care:Atpresent,boardingcarefacilitiesinArmeniaprovide24-hourcaretoassistpensionerswhocannotliveindependently.Inadditiontoroomandboard,suchfacilitiesgenerallyprovideon-sitemedical,psychosocialandcasemanagementservices.Socialactivities,includingreadingclubs,gardening,intergenerationalexchanges,fieldtrips,arealsocoretoboardinghomestopromoteanactiveandsociallife.Therearealsoday-

ix


care and home-based support services available to older persons in Armenia. Such servicescan includehomevisits formedical care, assistancewithdaily errands anddomestic chores,housekeepingservices,orhomedeliveryofmeals.Therearealsoprovisionsforolderpersonswith mental health issues, in particular day-care centers providing social and psychologicalalternativeout-patientservices.

Therewerealsoseveralareasforimprovement,including:

• Translation of the national vision strategy to local implementation:Amongstakeholders,therewasageneralagreementthat theRoadMapwascomprehensive in itsguidanceandclear inthe roles and responsibilities of implementing partners. Yet, the evaluation found that localimplementationvariesacrossprovincesandcoordinationamongimplementingpartnersattheselevelsisunclear.

• Collaboration between state and non-state actors, particularly at the local level:Whilenon-state actors did acknowledge a goodworking relationshipwith theGovernment, thereweremissedopportunities for thestatetoharness theknowledge,experience,and leveragetheseorganizationshave(aslong-standingactorsworkinginthesecommunities)throughcollaborativestate-fundedorcost-sharedactivities.

• Access to affordable and quality health care:FundingcontinuestobethemainchallengeintheprovisionofaffordableandqualityhealthcareforolderpersonsinArmenia.Thereareprovisionsforout-patientservices,dentalcare,andmentalhealthservices forolderpersonsatnocost,butthisisnotextendedatthein-patientlevel.Whilespecialistsingeriatricsorgerontologyarepresent insomefacilities,theyarenotpresent inallmedicalcentersthroughoutthecountry.Therehavebeensomeattemptsinprovidingpalliativecare,butlimitedfundinghasstalledthiseffort.

• Access to quality institutional care:Most facilitiesare locatedprimarily inurbancentersandthuscoveronlyafractionofthetotalolderpopulation.Whiletheappropriatemixandcapacity(expertiseand technical capacity)of staff is evident in these facilities, the limitednumberofstaffperolderpersoninthesefacilitiesisaninherentrisktolowerstandardsandqualityofcare.Therehavebeenmixedresponsesonqualityofcare,inlargepartduetothependingnationalstandardsonqualityofcare.

• Fiscally sustainable social protection: Overall, pension levels fall significantly below averageincomesinArmenia,andwithintheregion,itonlyamountstoabouthalfoftheaveragepensionsamong neighboring countries. Over the period that was evaluated, there have been smallpercentage increases (7-8per cent) inpensions, yet thepalpableeffectshavebeenminimal.Giventheeconomicrealitiesofthecountryandincreasedlivingcosts,pensionsareinsufficienttomeetminimumsubsistencelevels.Non-stateactorshaveworkedtofillinthesegapsthroughcentersthatprovidefreesocialservices,legalaid,andfreemeals.

• Labour force participation: Given its lowpension levels, theneed for supplemental incomeduringretirementisinevitable.Therehavebeenlimitedeffortstoharnesstheeconomicpotentialofolderpersonsandintegratethemintoworkinglifepasttheageof65.Therearealsoseveralbarriersfortheolderpersonstocontinuetoeffectivelyparticipateinthelabourforce,includingaperceptionbysomethatpensionersdonotwanttowork.

In this view, the evaluation proposes several recommendations intended to help guide futureimplementationoftheRoadMap.ItrequeststheInter-agencyCommitteeonAgeingtotaketheleadin integrating theserecommendedactionsasappropriategiven thefinancialandhumanresourcesavailable.InviewofArmenia’supcomingnationaldevelopmentplansfor2016-2025,theevaluationrecommends that the Inter-agencyCommittee takes steps to effectivelymainstreamageing across

x


all thematicareasofworkbyprioritizingkeyareasof intervention (specifically those thataddressthe challenges and implementation gaps identified in the evaluation) and ensuring accountabilitymechanismsareestablishedwithinministriessothatacertainpercentageoftheirbudgetisdedicatedtoissuessurroundingageingandolderpersons.ItalsosuggeststhattheCommitteestrengthenstheinfrastructureforcollaborationbothbetweennational,provincialandlocalauthoritiesaswellasatthelocallevelbetweenmunicipalities.Thisincludesenhancingthecollaborationbetweenstateandnon-stateactorsandoptimizingthecomparativeadvantageofnon-stateactorswhoarebetterplacedtoimplementactivitiesatthelocallevel.Lastly,theevaluationproposesthattheCommitteestrengthensexistingmonitoringstructuresonageingtoensurethatdataissystematicallycollected,documented,andsharedtoenablefutureevaluativeexercisesandpromoteacultureoflearningandaccountability.

xi

1

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Situation of Older Persons in ArmeniaSince1990,therehasbeenasteadydeclineinArmenia’spopulationfromover3.5milliontoitscurrenttotalof3millionpeople.8Largelyowingtonetmigration,thiscontinuingdeclineinArmenia’soverallpopulationhasacceleratedthechangesinitsdemographicprofile,makingtheimplicationsforageingmoreprominent.In2014,itwasestimatedthat11percentofallArmeniancitizenswereaged65yearsorover.By2030,thisshareisprojectedtoreach18percentofthetotalpopulation.Comparatively,theshareofolderpersons(aged65yearsorover)intheregioniscurrentlyestimatedat15.4percent.9 Giventheconsiderablesocialandeconomicimpactsofpopulationageing,anationalcomprehensiveresponsetothesituationofolderpersonsinArmeniawasurgentandnecessary.Accordingly,theGov-ernmentofArmeniawiththesupportoftheUnitedNationsEconomicCommissionforEurope(UNECE)draftedandadoptedaRoadMapforMainstreamingAgeinginArmeniain2012.

1.2. Road Map on Mainstreaming Ageing in Armenia TheRoadMaponMainstreamingAgeing inArmenia,hereafter referred toas the ‘RoadMap’,wasamongthefirstframeworksofitskindintheregion.Itsdevelopmentwasoneofthekeyby-productsofamulti-yearcollaborationbetweentheGovernmentofArmeniaandUNECE.Theexercisewasinitiatedin2009withtheaimoftransformingtherecommendationsoftheMadridInternationalPlanofActiononAgeing(MIPAA)anditsRegionalImplementationStrategy(RIS)intoclearandconcreteactionsatthenationallevel.In2010,acomprehensivereviewanalyzingthecurrentageingsituationinArmeniawasconductedandprovidedthebasisfortheRoadMapStrategyandActionPlanforAgeing.

Figure 1: Population Pyramid

Source:NationalStatisticalServiceoftheRepublicofArmenia

______________________________________________________

8WorldBankData(2015):WorldDevelopmentIndicators.http://data.worldbank.org/country/armenia9UNDESAProfilesofAgeing2015:https://esa.un.org/unpd/popdev/Profilesofageing2015/index.html


2

Thisanalyticalreportlookedatvariousareasofintervention,including:areviewoftheexistinglawsanddocumentsrelatingtoageing;theintegrationofolderpersonsintoArmeniasociety;socialprotectionand other services for older persons; gender issues surrounding older persons; monitoring andevaluationstrategiesforageing;existingresearchanddatacollectioninfrastructuresondemographics;as well as the extent of stakeholder involvement and the country’s engagement in internationalprocessesrelatingtoageing.ThisreportprovidedtheRoadMapgoodevidencetohoneinonthekeyissuessurroundingpopulationageinginArmenia,allowingforamorecomprehensiveresponse.Toensureprogressismonitoredandrecorded,theRoadMapenvisionedanevaluationtoassessthefirstphaseofimplementation.

1.3. Purpose and Objectives of EvaluationThe purpose of the independent evaluation is to enhance the learning and accountability of theGovernmentofArmenia,UNECE,andotherrelevantstakeholdersinvolvedintheimplementationofArmenia’sRoadMap.Theevidence-basedfindingsandrecommendationsgeneratedbytheevaluationwillfeedintothenextphaseofRoadMapimplementationinArmeniaaswellasinformthethirdcycleofreviewandappraisaloftheimplementationofMIPAA/RIS2012-2017.

Theprincipalobjectivesoftheevaluationare:

a) toidentifythemainareasinwhichrecommendationsandplannedactionshavebeenachieved,andwheresuccessfulimplementationisongoing;

b) to identify the main areas in which recommendations and planned actions have not beenachieved,eitherasaresultoflimitedsuccessinactionsundertaken,orbecausenoactionhasbeenundertaken;

c) toidentifyandunderstandthereasonsforthesuccesses,setbacksandareaslackingactivityasidentifiedinpointsaandb;and

d) todistillessonslearnedfromtheaboveinordertomakefurtherprogressinimplementation.

Rather than review each recommendation individually10, the evaluation will consider the twelvebroadergoalsasidentifiedintheRoadMap,withspecificattentiontothegoalsprioritizedbyArmenianstakeholders.Thiswillalsoenabletheevaluationtocapturetheprogressandaddresschallengesthathaveoccurredacrossthegoalsasmanyofthemhaveintersectingrecommendationsandactivities.Theevaluationwillalsorespondtotheevaluationcriteriaandquestionsidentifiedattheonsetoftheexerciseandprovidesuggestedactionstotakeforwardintothenextreportingcycle.

1.4. Scope of Evaluation Given the relatively short implementation period (2012 -2015), results at the impact levelwill belimited. As such, the evaluationwill place the emphasis of this analysis on themanagement andcoordinationofimplementationandassesstheprogressachieved,usingtheRoadMapStrategyandActionPlanasguidinganalyticalframeworksfortheevaluation.Whiletheevaluationwilllendacloseeyetotheeffortsmadetowardtheachievementofthesegoalsduringtheimplementationperiodof2012-2015,itwillalsobeforward-lookingsothatlearningsfromtheevaluationcanfeedintofutureimplementationcycles.

Theevaluationcoversimplementationatthenational,provincialandlocallevels,withYerevanasanin-depthcasestudyfortheevaluationgiventhecrosssectionofRoadMapactivitiesimplementedinandaroundtheareaaswellasthebroadbaseofkeystakeholdersbasedinthecapitalthatwereaccessibleandavailableforconsultation.

______________________________________________________

10Thereare62individualrecommendationsintheRoadMap,and141actionsidentifiedinthePlanofAction.TheRoadMapgoalsareincludedintheannexofthisreport(Annex6).

3

2. METHODOLOGY

2.1. Overview of the Evaluation ProcessTheevaluationwascarriedoutinseveralphaseswhicharesummarizedinthefigurebelow.Thetermsofreferencefortheevaluationprovidemoredetailsontheactivitiescompletedineachphase.

Figure 2: Evaluation Process11

2.2. Evaluation Criteria and QuestionsTheevaluationwasinformedbycriteriadevelopedbytheOrganisationforEconomicCo-operationandDevelopment(OECD)DevelopmentAssistanceCommittee(DAC)-relevance,effectiveness,efficiency,andsustainability-aswellasothercriteriadeemedrelevant,suchaspartnerships.Thesecriteriawerethebasesfortheevaluationquestionswhere,insomeinstances,aquestionmayaddressoneormoreofthecriteriainitsintent.Theevaluationquestionsareintendedtogiveamorepreciseformtotheevaluationcriteriaandtoarticulatethekeyareasofinterestofstakeholders,therebyoptimizingthefocusandutilityoftheevaluation.InconsultationwithUNECEandtwomembersoftheWorkingGrouponAgeingaswellasotherrelevantstakeholders, theevaluatordevelopedthefollowingevaluationcriteriaandquestionspresentedinfigure3.

2.3. Methods and ToolsTheevaluationusedamixedmethodapproachfordatacollectionandanalysis.Tostrengthentheva-lidityandreliabilityofthedatacollected,theevaluationemployedthetriangulationofmethodsaswellassourcesofinformation.Primarily,theevaluationreferencedtheRoadMapStrategyandActionPlanastheguidinganalyticalframeworksfortheexercise.Theapplicationofthesemethodswasintendedtobetransparent,inclusive,participatory,aswellastakeintoconsiderationagenderandhumanrightsperspective.12

______________________________________________________

11TheindicativetimelineanddetailedinformationoneachphaseoftheevaluationispresentedintheEvaluationTermsofReferenceinAnnex1.12Theevaluationwillfollowtheguidanceontheintegrationofgenderequalityandhumanrightsprinciplesintheevaluationfocusandprocessasestab-lishedintheUnitedNationsEvaluationGroup(UNEG)Handbook,IntegratingHumanRightsandGenderEqualityinEvaluation-TowardsUNEGGuidance.TheevaluationwillfollowUNEGNormsandStandardsforEvaluationintheUNsystemandabidebyUNEGEthicalGuidelinesandCodeofConductandanyotherrelevantethicalcodes.

Preparatory

Collectrelevantdocumentation

Identifyandmapstakeholders

Identifyevaluationcriteriaandquestions

Developmethodology

DataCollection

Collectrelevantdocumentsandconduct

deskreview

Designandconductsurvey

Conductinterviewsandfocusgroupswithkey

stakeholders

AnalysisandReportDrafting

Synthesizedatacollectedtorespondtoevaluationquestionsandidentify

keyfindings

Formconclusionsandrecommendationsdrawingfromthe

evidence-basedfindings

Dissemination

Disseminatereporttorelevantstakeholders

Follow-uponrecommendations


4

2.3.1. Document Review

AdocumentreviewwascarriedoutinDecember2015bytheevaluatortofurtherrefineevaluationquestions and develop preliminary findings. The document reviewwas also used to fine-tune theevaluationtools,includingtheonlinesurvey,toprepareforfieldwork,andtotriangulatedata.

Given that a number of primary sources, including monitoring and progress reports, from theGovernment of Armenia were only available in Armenian, a national consultant was recruited toprovidebriefanalyticalsummariesofthesedocumentsinEnglish.AlistofalldatasourcesreviewedispresentedinAnnex2.

2.3.2. Online-based Survey Questionnaire

Anonline surveywascarriedout inApril2016.Thesampling frame for this surveywasdevelopedin consultation with UNECE and a national consultant targeting relevant stakeholders such asgovernmentalentities,internationalorganizations,andcivilsocietyactors.Thequestionsselectedforthesurveycontainedbothopenandclose-endedquestions.Responsestothestakeholdersurveywereobtainedfrom30individuals.Thesurveyresponseswerecollectedandanalyzedatanaggregateleveltoidentifyemergingtrendsorissuesrelatingtotheparticularareasofinvestigationoftheevaluation.The analysis from the results then helped to further inform the questionnaires prepared for the face-to-faceinterviewsandgroupinterviewsconductedduringthefieldvisit.TheexternalstakeholdersurveyquestionnaireispresentedinAnnex4.

2.3.3. Interviews with Key Informants

DuringthefieldvisitinArmenia,face-to-faceinterviewswereconductedtogatherinformationfromkeyinformants(e.g.keystakeholdersincludingpersonsfromtheGovernmentofRA,municipalityof

Figure 3: Evaluation Criteria and Questions

EVALUATION CRITERIA EVALUATION QUESTION Relevance DoestheRoadMapdirectlyaddressthechallengesposedbythe

demographicchangesinArmenia?Effectiveness,Relevance,Equity DoestheRoadMapaddressinequitiesinthedistributionofbur-

densandbenefitsacrosspopulationgroups?Efficiency,Effectiveness Wastheprogress inthegoalsofthestrategyoftheRoadMap

madeinatimelyandcost-effectivemanner?Effectiveness,Efficiency,Sustainability TowhatextentwerethegoalsofthestrategyoftheRoadMap

achieved?Whatwerethekeychallengestotheachievementofthesegoals?

PoliticalFeasibility,Sustainability Towhat extent do governmental partners accept and supporttheRoadMap?

AdministrativeFeasibility,Sustainability Dogovernmentinstitutionsand/orpublicserviceprovidershavethecapacity(e.g.technicalorfinancial/humanresources)toim-plementthegoalsoftheRoadMap?

Effectiveness,Coordination,Sustainability HastheRoadMapfacilitatedincreasedcoordinationorpartner-shipsbetweenArmenianministriesandotherkeystakeholdersatthenational,provincialandlocallevels?


5

Yerevan,developmentpartners,tradeunions,civilsociety,andserviceproviders)usingsemi-structuredinterviewguidesbasedonthepreliminaryfindingsofthedeskreviewandtheresultsfromtheonlinesurvey.Usingaqualitativelens,theinterviewsallowedforadeeperunderstandingofimplementationthusfar.TheinterviewguideispresentedinAnnex5andthelistofpersonsconsultedispresentedinAnnex3.

2.3.4. Focus Group Discussions

Focusgroupdiscussionswerealsoconductedduringtheweek-longfieldvisit.Participantsincludedstafffromrelevantministries,implementingpartnersfromnon-governmentalorganizations(NGOs),andserviceprovidersrelevanttotheRoadMap(managementandseniorstaffofboardinghouse).Themethodprovedparticularlyusefultoexploredisparateviewsordiscussbroadertopicssuchascoordination. It also provided the opportunity to draw out and discuss latent topics and observethe interactions among participants. Similar to the interview questions, protocols for focus groupdiscussionsweredevelopedtofurtherexploreissuesandtrendsthatemergedfromthesurveyandaddresstheareasofinvestigation.ThefocusgroupguideispresentedinAnnex5.

2.4. Limitations and Mitigation StrategiesDuringthecourseoftheevaluation,theevaluatorencounteredsomemoderatelimitationsthatwerenotconsideredtohavesignificantlyaffectedtheresultsoftheexercise.Theseincludethefollowing:

Road Map TimelineInitially,theActionPlanwasdesignedfortheperiodof2011-2015,however,itwasonlyin2012thattheRoadMapforArmeniawasformallyadopted.WhileitwasintendedthatactionsintheRoadMapwouldberevisitedsothatafeasiblenumberwouldbeselectedfor implementationby2015,thereisno indicationonwhatpriorityactionswereselected,thus leavingthisevaluationtoconsidertheRoadMapStrategyandActionPlanasmoreofanopenframeworktoassessprogressduringthistimeperiod.

Availability and Reliability of DataThe evaluation found no documentation of baselines or needs assessments that were conductedpriortoimplementationoftheRoadMap.Moreover,therewaslimitedevidenceofsystematicdatacollectionontheimplementationoftheRoadMap,particularlyattheoutcomelevel.Withregardtothedatathatwasavailablefromsecondarysources,manyofthedocumentsavailablewereoutdated,presentedconflictinginformation,oronlyavailableinArmenian.Theevaluatorattemptedtovalidatethedataderivedfromthesesourcesduringtheinterviewsandfocusgroupdiscussions,howevertherewereinstanceswheretherespondentswereindisagreementonaccuracyofthedataorpresentedconflictingviews.

Mitigation StrategiesTooffsetthesegapsor limitations inthedata, theevaluatorcross-referencedawiderangeofdatasourcesanddatacollectionmethods,andreliedonamorequalitativeapproachtoextrapolateresultsat the outcome level. This triangulated approach served to improve data reliability aswell as thevalidityoffindingsandconclusions.

7

3. KEY FINDINGS

3.1. Relevance to National Priorities and Strategies13

KeytotheeffectiveimplementationoftheRoadMapwasitsalignmenttocurrentnationalpolicies.IntheyearsleadinguptotheRoadMap,theevaluationfoundthatdemographicageingwasafocusareaofconcernfortheGovernmentofArmenia.Evidenceofthisincludesadvancestowardthede-velopmentandadoptionof severalpolicy frameworks related to the improvementof thesituationofolderpersons,includingpensionreform,socialassistanceandemploymentpolicies.HavingtheseframeworksalreadyinplaceenabledtheRoadMaptobuildontheexistingstructuresaswellaseffortsmadetowardageinggoalsinthecountry.Anonlinesurveyofkeystakeholdersreportedthat72percentoftotalrespondentsagreedthattheRoadMapdirectlyaddressesthechallengesposedbydemo-graphicchangesinArmenia.TherewasbroadagreementbykeyinformantsthattheRoadMapwascomprehensiveinscopeandaddressedtheinterconnectedchallengesofthegrowingolderpopulationinArmenia.Tothissamepoint,severalstakeholdersreportedthatdespiteitscomprehensiveapproachthereremainedseveralunderlyingculturalbarriersthatstalledprogressinparticularareas.Notably,therewasaconsensusamongstakeholdersthattherewasawidelyheldsocialstigmaofboardingcareforolderpersons.Otherspointedtosociallyacceptedpresumptionsabouttheneedsandinterestsofolderpersons,suchasthelackof interestofolderpersonsincontinuingeducationoremploymentbeyondtheretirementage.Inthisregard,theRoadMapwaslimitedinitsabilitytoaddressunderly-ingsocialorculturalbarriers,whichoftenrequireslongerterminvestmentfortransformativechange.

3.2. Equity in Implementation14

Assuming that inclusive and sustainable development requires the economic, political, social and culturalintegrationofallpersonsregardlessofage,theRoadMapStrategydoes,intheory,committo addressing any inequities in the distribution of burdens and benefits across population groups.However,theissueofequityisnotaseasilyaddressedintheactualimplementationoftheRoadMapActionPlan.

Giventherealitiesofthepost-globalfinancialcrisis,akeychallengeintheimplementationoftheRoadMapwasensuringthatthealreadyscarceresourcesandservicesavailableinArmeniaweredistributedevenly so that population groupswere not disproportionately burdenedor denied equal benefits.Presently,agoodportionofsocialbenefitsistargetedto25groupsthattheGovernmentofArmeniahasidentifiedasmostvulnerable.15Thesegroupsincludepersonsaged65andoveraswellaspersonsresidinginboardinghousesforolderpersons.Evenso,theidentificationasavulnerablegroupdoesnotnecessarilyguaranteethatserviceswillreachthesegroups.

Theevaluation foundseveralareasof theRoadMapwhere the issueofequitable implementationwas a challenge. One example was addressing equity in labour force participation across groups.KeyInformantsdescribedthatwhiletherearegapsintheemployabilityofolderpersons,thesegapsexistedacrossallagegroups,andmoreover,specificprogrammesforemployabilityshouldbetargetedtotheyoungerandworkingagegroups,ratherthanspecificallyforolderpersons.Tothiseffect,therewerenospecificprogrammesfortrainingforpersonspasttheageof63(whoreceivedapension),

______________________________________________________

13Thissectionwillbeinresponsetoevaluationquestion1-DoestheRoadMapdirectlyaddressthechallengesposedbythedemographicchangesinArmenia?14Thissectionwilladdressevaluationquestion2-DoestheRoadMapaddressinequitiesinthedistributionofburdensandbenefitsacrosspopulationgroups?15DecreeoftheGovernmentoftheRepublicofArmeniaN318(4March2004).


8

buttherewereprogrammesforpersonsunderthisagethreshold.16Similarly,healthcarewasanotherareawheretheissueofequitywasdifficulttoaddress.Stakeholdersinterviewedconfirmedthattheexistenceofconsistentandavailablehealthcareservicesduringthedurationofaperson’slifecoursewasnotevenlydistributedacrossthevariedstagesoflife.Asoneexample,theevaluationfoundthatwhilematernalandnewbornhealthcareserviceswerewide-spreadandavailable,palliativecarewasnot.

Inanonlinesurveyofkeystakeholders,halfoftherespondentsagreedthattheRoadMapaddressedinequitiesinthedistributionofsocialbenefits(e.g.socialprotectionandotherservices)andonly40percentoftotalrespondentsagreedthattheRoadMapaddressedinequitiesinthedistributionofsocialburdens(e.g.socialtaxes,redistributionofpublicspending).Themixedviewsfromtherespondentspointtoboththecomplexityofensuringequitableoutcomesaswellasafundamentalimbalanceofbenefitsandburdenssharedacrossgroups.

3.3. Political Feasibility for Road Map Implementation17

In order for catalytic change to occur, strong commitment from theGovernment is critical for thesuccessful and effective implementation of the RoadMap. From the online survey, the evaluationfoundthatcloseto75percentofrespondentsreportedthatseniormanagement/officialswhooversawpolicyimplementationplacedtheRoadMapathighpriorityormediumpriority.Fromtheinterviews,theevaluationalso foundthat therepresentatives from lineministriesconsistentlyexpressedtheircommitmenttotheissueofageingandtheirsupportfortheimplementationoftheRoadMap.However,thedemonstrationofsaidcommitmentandsupportwasnotconsistentacrosstheareasofworkoftheRoadMap.ThisgapbetweenthepledgedcommitmentandactualimplementationisfurtherdiscussedintheassessmentofRoadMapgoalsinthe‘effectivenessofimplementation’section.

3.4. Administrative Feasibility for Implementation18

Stakeholders credit theadvancesmade in the implementationof theRoadMapas a result of theexpertise and technical capacity of the service providers and implementing partners who carriedouttheinterventions.Thesurveyconductedinthisevaluationfoundthattwo-thirdsofrespondentsbelievedthattheentitiesresponsibleforimplementation(e.g.governmentinstitutions,publicserviceproviders,NGOs, local partners) had sufficient expertise and/or technical capacity to do so. Evenso,somerespondentspointedtotheneedforongoingtrainingaswellasperiodiceducationneedsassessmentsofserviceproviders.Tothispoint,theevaluationfoundtherewereonlyafewinitiativesthatpromotedspecializedtrainingforthecareofolderpersons.In2013,thecurriculumforgeriatricswasdevelopedformedicalprofessionalstospecializeinateducationalinstitutionsinArmenia.Therewerealsosomeone-offactivities, includingan initiative,coordinatedbystudents intheMasterforPublic Health programme at American University for Armenia, providing gerontology lectures tomedicalpractitioners.

Anotherissuetoconsiderinensuringtheadministrativefeasibilityforimplementationisstaffcapacity.Many stakeholders interviewedhad concerns for the number of staff resourced to implement theactivitiesoftheRoadMap.LessthanhalfofsurveyrespondentsagreedthattherewassufficientstaffingtoimplementtheactivitiesoftheRoadMap.Inthehealthsector,itwasnotedthatwhilegeriatricsor

______________________________________________________

16Detailedinformationonthisexampleisfurtherdiscussedundergoal7.17Thissectionwilladdressevaluationquestion5-TowhatextentdogovernmentalpartnersacceptandsupporttheRoadMap?18Thissectionwilladdressevaluationquestion4-Dogovernmentinstitutionsand/orpublicserviceprovidershavethecapacity(e.g.technicalorfinancial/humanresources)toimplementthegoalsoftheRoadMap?


9

gerontologyspecialistswerepresentinmedicalcentersthroughoutthecountry,theywerenotpresentinallcenters.Thisisofparticularconcernconsideringthemobilityissuesolderpersonsface,especiallythoselivinginremoteorborderareas.Moreover,thechallengeofunderstaffingisparticularlyevidentinthecarefacilitiesforolderpersons.Forexample,onecenterforhomecarereportedthatonaveragethereisonenurseondutyforevery20residentsandonecaretakerondutyforevery30residents.Somestakeholdersinterviewedsuggestedthatunattractiveworkingconditionsandlowpaymentmayhaveresultedinlowernumbersofcandidates,qualifiedornot,toberecruitedforthesepositions.19

ArelatedconcernhasbeenmadewithregardtothelimitedfundingavailabletoimplementthegoalsoftheRoadMap.Closeto80percentofsurveyrespondentsreportedthatthereisnotenoughfundingtoimplementtheactivities.Similarly,keyinformantsconsistentlypointedtofinancialconstraintsasachallenge,ifnotthemainchallenge,inadvancingtheimplementationoftheRoadMap.TheevaluationalsofoundthatspecificareasoftheRoadMapsuchashealthservices,publiccareinstitutions(e.g.boardinghomes,day-carecenters),socialprotectionprogrammes,andservicesparticularlyforolderpersonsinremoteareas,werenotablyunderfunded.

3.5. Cost-Effectiveness and Timeliness of Implementation20

3.5.1. Funding Arrangements

In largepart, theactivitiesof theRoadMaparefinancedby thenationalbudgetofArmenia. Thenationalbudget,insomecasesalsopartiallyfundsnon-stateactors(e.g.NGOs,FBOs,CSOs)workingon the implementationof theRoadMap. Theotherbulkof the funding for theseorganizations isprovidedbyotherexternaldonorswhoeitherpartiallyorfullyfundtheiractivitiesinthisfield.

Due to the nature of the Road Map and the number of entities involved in its implementation,financialdatawaslimitedandfragmented.Theevaluationfoundthatthefinancialtrackingsystemsforgovernmentexpenditures,intheircurrentstate,maynotfullycapturedatarelatedtoolderpersons.Expendituresrelatedtoactivitiesorprogrammestargetingolderpersonsintheareasofhealth,culture,education, or the economyweremore difficult to access given that data collected in these areasofworkarenotnecessarilydisaggregatedbydemographicgroup. AWorldBank reportdiscussingArmenia’s public expenditure found there are data limitationswhen trying to link expenditures tospecificbeneficiaries,makingaspecificreferencetopensioners.21

AsseeninFigure4,thebulkofsocialprotectionspendingisallocatedtopensionsorinitiativestargetingissuessurrounding“olderage”averagingaround4-5percentofthetotalGDP.Itshouldalsobenotedthatsincethefinancialcrisisthetotalspending(asashareofGDP)directedtowardsolderagehasbeensteadilydecreased.

______________________________________________________

19UNECEPolicyBriefNo.15:InnovativeandEmpoweringStrategiesforCare,February2015.20Thissectionwilladdressevaluationquestion5-WastheprogressinthegoalsofthestrategyoftheRoadMapmadeinacost-effectiveandtimelymanner?21WorldBank(2014):RepublicofArmeniaPublicExpenditureReview:ExpandingtheFiscalEnvelope.


10

Figure 4: Functional Composition of Spending on Social Protection Relative to GDP 2006-2013(in per cent of GDP)

3.5.2. Cost-Effectiveness of Implementation

Given the limiteddataonfinancialexpenditures, theevaluationwill relymoreonqualitativedata,includingdatacollectedinthesurveyquestionnaireandinterviews,toassessthecost-effectivenessoftheimplementation.

Resultsfromthesurveyindicatedthatlessthan40percentofrespondentsagreedthattheactivitiestowardtheimplementationoftheRoadMapwerecost-effective,andmorethan60percentwerenotsure.Theseresultsraisetwoissues:(i)aperceivedlackofcost-effectivenessinimplementationand(ii)alackofsystematicortransparentfinancialmonitoring.Theevaluationfoundthattherewereactionsbeingtakentowardsanincreasedcoordinationofworkandactivitiesacrossentitiestoenhancecost-effectiveness.Primarily,thiswasevidentamongthenon-stateactors.Mostrecently,sevennon-stateactors have come together to establish a formal network, tentatively called the Elderly ProtectionNetwork.Alreadypresentinamoreadhocmanner,thenetworkaimstofosteramorestrategicandformalpartnershiptoeffectivelyinfluencesocialpolicyandtorespondtotheirmutuallysharedgoalofimprovingthesituationforolderpersonsinamorecoordinatedway.Giventherealitiesoflimitedfinancialresourcesandtheirintersectingareasofwork,thepoolingoftheirresourcesisaneffectivemeanstocost-shareactivitieswhileensuringmaximumimpact.

Alongside this, stakeholdersdid report that coordinationof activitiesdidoccurbetween state andnon-state actors, however to what extent it enabled cost-effectiveness of implementation couldnotbedetermined.Among the implementingministries, coordinationof activities in viewof cost-effectivenesswasfoundtobeminimal.Asamoregeneralnote,ministriestendedtoworkmoreinsilosintheimplementationoftheRoadMap.

Note:ReprintedfromWorldBank(2014):RepublicofArmeniaPublicExpenditureReview:ExpandingtheFiscalEnvelope.Sourcelisted:RepublicofArmeniaMinistryofFinance


11

3.5.3. Timeliness of ImplementationTheRoadMapActionPlanwasoriginallydesignedfortheperiodof2011-2015,however,theRoadMapwasonly formally adopted in 2012.While itwas intended that the actions in theRoadMapwouldberevisitedsothatafeasiblenumberofactionswouldbeselectedforimplementationby2015,thereisnorecordofwhatpriorityactionswereselected.Drawingfromthediscussionswithseveralmembers of the Inter-agency Committee (designed to oversee the implementation as well as setstrategicpriorities),theimplementationtargetedspecificareasoftheRoadMapbasedontheurgencyorneedaswellascapacityandresourcesavailableforimplementation.Evenso,theevaluationfoundthattherewereseveralone-off,adhocactivitiesthatdidnotnecessarilyfittheseselectioncriteria.

Against thisbackdrop, theevaluationsurveyedstakeholderson their viewson the implementationrateofeachgoal.Thefollowinggraphsprovideamore illustrativeviewoftheoverarchingtrendinstakeholders’perceptionsoflimitedprogressonmostgoals.Notably,goal10onpartnershipswasseenasthegoalthatmadethemostadvancement,whereasgoal2ontheintegrationofolderpersonsinsocietyandgoal3onqualityoflifeofolderpersonsweremainareasofconcernformanystakeholders.Reasonsforthelimitedgainsinprogresscouldbeattributedtotheslowstartinimplementationaswellastheshortimplementationperiod.Tothispoint,itshouldbenotedthat62.5percentofrespondentsperceivedthattheactivitiestowardsimplementationwerecompletedinatimelymannerduringthisperiod.

Figure 5: Survey Results on the Implementation Progress of Goals 1-5

Source:EvaluationSurvey,2016

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Goal1 Goal2 Goal3 Goal4 Goal5

Notimplemented(0%ofactivitiesimplemented)Partiallyimplemented(25%ofactivitiesimplemented)Halfwayimplemented(50%ofactivitiesimplemented)Mostlyimplemented(75%ofactivitiesimplemented)Fullyimplemented(100%ofactivitiesimplemented)Notsure

numbe

rofrespo

nden

ts


12

Figure 6: Survey Results on the Implementation Progress of Goals 6-12


3.6. Effectiveness of Implementation by Goal22

The following sectionwill takean in-depth lookat the keyactivities, achievements and challengesrelatingtoeachgoaloftheRoadMap.

Basedonthesurveyresultsandinterviews,somefacilitatingfactorsthatcontributedtotheeffectiveimplementationofgoalsincluded:humanresources(bothcapacityandskillmix),financialresources,andcoordinationwithinandamongstakeholders.Broadlyspeaking,morethanhalfofsurveyrespondentsreportedthattherehasbeeninconsistentimplementationandprogressacrosscommunities.Potentialreasonsforthisincludespecificcharacteristicsofthecommunitiesserved:hardtoreachlocationand/or remoteness, urban/rural composition, social-economic situation, age structure, financial/humancapacitiesand/orresources,politicalwillandcapacity/resourcesoflocalofficials,activenessofNGOsand local implementingpartners, and the varied sub-cultures that exist. Given thewide scopeofinvestigation,thisevaluationwill largelylookattrendsandissuesatanaggregatelevelwithspecialattentiontotheactivitiesattheregional(provincial)andlocallevels.

3.6.1. Mainstreaming Ageing

Goal 1: To mainstream ageing and to pursue internationally-agreed policy principles.

At the global level, Armenia has demonstrated its commitment and alignment to internationallyagreedpolicyframeworksincludingtheMadridInternationalPlanofActiononAgeing(MIPAA)anditsRegionalImplementationStrategy(RIS).

______________________________________________________

22Thissectionwilladdressevaluationquestion6-TowhatextentwerethegoalsofthestrategyoftheRoadMapeffectivelyachieved?Whatwerethekeychallengestotheachievementofthesegoals?Itwilltakealookateachgoalrespondingtorecommendationsoutlinedinthestrategy.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Goal1 Goal2 Goal3 Goal4 Goal5

Notimplemented(0%ofactivitiesimplemented)

Partiallyimplemented(25%ofactivitiesimplemented)Halfwayimplemented(50%ofactivitiesimplemented)Mostlyimplemented(75%ofactivitiesimplemented)

Fullyimplemented(100%ofactivitiesimplemented)

Notsure

numbe

rofrespo

nden

ts


13

Attheregionallevel,theRepublicofArmeniaisanactivememberintheUNECEWorkingGrouponAgeingwhichactsasaplatformtoconnectfocalpointsonageingrepresentingthememberStatesoftheUNECEregionalongwithrepresentativesfrominternationalorganizations,NGOsandacademia.TheWorkingGroupwas established to fulfil the commitments outlined in theMIPAA /RIS. At thenationallevel,theGovernmenthasusedtheRoadMapasanaccountabilitymechanismtoensureitisadvancingitscommitmentstoMIPAA/RIS.GiventhatthegoalsoftheRoadMapintersectinmanyof theproposedactivitiesandoutputs, itprovidesagenuineopportunity for theGovernmentandrelevantministriestomainstreamageingacrossseveral,ifnotall,areasofitswork.In2012,aspartoftheprotocoldecreeoftheGovernmentoftheRAN51,“OnApprovalofthe2013StateProgrammeon Improvementof theDemographicSituation in theRepublicofArmeniaandListofActivitiesonits Implementation”, an Inter-agency Committee was established to oversee the implementationof theRoadMap.Members includeofficials fromrelevantministriesaswellaskeyrepresentativesof internationalorganizationsandcivil society. TheMinistryof LabourandSocialAffairs chairs theCommittee,whichmeetsregularlythreetimesayearandconvenesonanadhocbasis,asneeded.TheCommitteeistaskedtoreviewalldraftlawsandregulationswithregardtotheirimpactontheageingsituationandolderpersonsinArmenia.Moreover,theCommitteeisresponsibleforsettingthestrategicdirectionandprioritiesforimplementation.

Prior to theRoadMap therewere already a fewmeasures in place to address population ageing,including: a Strategy on Demographic Policy, adopted by the Government in 2009, that providesan analysis on themaindemographic developments and suggests actions to tackle the challengestheypose;andaGovernmentActionPlan2008-2012 thathighlights sixprioritiesof theArmenianGovernment,includingafifthprioritydedicatedtothesocialsecurityofitscitizens.Inaddition,sincetheinceptionoftheRoadMap,19legalactsrelatingtoissuesofageinghavebeenadopted.23

3.6.2. Participation and Integration of Older Persons

Goal 2: To ensure full participation and integration of older persons in society.

Socialparticipationandintegration

Recognizingthatolderpersonsplayavitalroleinsociety,theRoadMapoutlinesactivitiestopromotethesocial integrationofolderpersons throughcommunitycentersand intergenerational initiativessuchasvolunteeringforandbyolderpersons.TheRoadMapalsosetouttoaddressthebarriersthatsomeolderpersonsfacethatoftenhindersocialintegration,includingdecreasedmobilityandlackofaccesstopublictransport.Evenso,severalstakeholdersconfirmedthataccesstosocialactivitiesandservices,particularlyforolderpersonslivingintheruralandborderareasofArmenia,wasanongoingchallenge.

Theevaluationfoundthatcivilsocietyactorswereveryactiveinpromotingandenablingolderpersonstoparticipateinsociallifeandinteractwithsocialnetworksofallages.AprominentactorinthisareaisMissionArmenia,a longstandingorganizationdedicated toelderly issues in thecountry.MissionArmenia operates in eight regions of the country providing various services that promote socialintegration.Theorganizationsetup several community centers (thatprovidevarious social,healthcareandmaintenanceservicesatthecentersorathome),resourcecenters(thatorganizedifferenttrainings,interestsupportgroups)andsocialclubs,fromgardeningandmusictoreadingandwriting.______________________________________________________

23Alistoflegalactsduringtheimplementationperiodof2012-2015oftheRoadMapispresentedinAnnex7.


14

The evaluation also found that in the state-run institutions (e.g. boarding houses, adult day-carecenters) social activities were a key component in the package of services offered. These socialactivitiesrangedfromknittinggroupsandreadingclubstooff-sitefieldtrips,churchvisits,andothersocialevents.Therewasalsoevidenceofactivitiestopromoteintergenerationallearningandsolidarityacrossgenerations.OneexampleofthisincludesthecollaborationofboardinghousesinYerevanwithlocalprimaryschools.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a key strategy to facilitate the inclusion ofolder persons is tomake citiesmore age-friendly.24 This means ensuring that communities adapttheirstructuresandservicestobeaccessibleandinclusiveofolderpeopleandtheirvaryingneedsand physical capacities. Asmobility declineswith age, access to reliable and affordablemeans oftransportationandwheelchair-accessibleandwheelchair-friendlywalkwaysareessential.InYerevan,thewalkingpavementsaremoderatelymaintainedandwideenoughforwheelchairs,thecurbrampsprovidingaccesstostreetsandsidewalksareabundant,andthepedestriancrossingsaresufficientinnumber,haveadequatecrossingtimes,andhavebothvisualandaudiosignalsforcrossingatmaintrafficintersections.Accommodationshavealsobeenmadeinpublictransportforolderpersonswithdisabilitiesorwhoarewheelchair-bound.InYerevan,themunicipalityhasstrategicallyplacedpublicbuseswithwheelchairliftsinselectedroutesthatarenearboardinghomes,educationalandculturalinstitutions, and hospitals. It should be noted that these accommodations were only observed inYerevanandarenotindicativeofhowotherprovincesinthecountryaddressedrelatedissues.

Characteristicof the region, respect forolderpersons is auniversal tenetamongall agegroups inArmenian society.25 Even so, the evaluation found that there were some actions taken to raiseawareness on issues of older persons aswell as to promote a positive image of older persons bynationalmedia.Oneexampleisafour-partarticleseries,“GrowingOldinArmenia:TheRoleofSeniorsinEvolvingArmenianFamilies”,producedbythenewsoutletArmeniaNow.Anotherexampleistheannual“JubileeFestival”,organizedbytheMinistryofCulturethatbringstogetherandcelebratesolderpersonswhohaveproducedpublications,albumsorotherartisticproducts.

Culturalparticipationandintegration

TheRoadMaprecognizesthevitalroleolderpersonsplayinpassingonculturalheritageandhistorytolatergenerations.Additionally,itrightlyplacesanemphasisonintegratingolderpersonsintoculturallifeofmodern-daysociety.

TheevaluationfoundthattheMinistryofCultureisquiteactiveandhasmadeseveralpositivegainsinthisarea.Notably,ithostsanumberofactivitiestoensurethatcultureisaccessibletoolderpersons.Aspreviouslymentioned,akeyeventistheannual“JubileeFestival”thatpromotesandcelebratesart,musicandpublicationsproducedbyolderpersons.Italsohostsspecificeventsfortheolderpersonsatculturalinstitutions,suchaslibrariesandmuseums,whichregularlyofferfreeadmissiontoolderpersons.Publiclibrariesalsoallowformoreaccessibilityoftheirservicesbyofferingsoftwaretoolderpersonswithvisionimpairment.

Forthosewithlimitedmobility,thereareseveralservicesthattheMinistryofCulturehasinitiated.One service, “Family Librarian”, delivers books directly to the homes of immobile older persons.Anotherservice,“TravellingExhibition”,coordinatedbytheMinistryofCulture,incollaborationwiththeMinistryofTransport,bringsmobilecollectionsofarttocommunitieslocatedintheborderregionsofArmenia.Inthissamemanner,theMinistryorganizes“culturalvisits”bringingtheaterandmusical

______________________________________________________

24WHO(2007):GlobalAge-FriendlyCities:AGuide.25Sung,Kyu-TaikandBumJungKim(2009):RespectfortheElderly:ImplicationsforHumanServiceProviders.


15

eventswhicharelargelyhostedinYerevantotheotherprovincessothatolderpersonscanattend.Onanadhocbasis,theMinistryofCulturehaspartneredwithlocalNGOsthatprovidetransportationforolderpersonstomuseums.TheMinistryalsoworkswithday-carecenterstohostmusicalartists,howeversucheventsarelimitedtocentersthathavespecificfacilitiestoaccommodatetheshows(e.g.stage,seating).

Politicalparticipationandintegration

Theevaluationdidnotfind significantevidenceon theactiveparticipationofolderpersons in thepoliticalarenanordiditfindanyspecificmeasurestoincreasetheinvolvementofolderpersonsinpubliclifeinArmenia.ItshouldalsobenotedthattheevaluationfoundnodirectconsultationbetweentheInter-agencyCommitteeonAgeingandthecommunityofolderpersonsintheimplementationoftheRoadMap.Rather,MissionArmeniaactedasanintermediarytospeakontheneedsandprioritiesofthecommunitiesofolderpersonsthattheyserve.

Economicparticipationandintegration

Giventhe intersectionofthisgoalwithgoals5,6and7,thissectionwill focusonolderpersonsasconsumers. Keyfindingson theparticipationofolderpersons asproducers arediscussed indetailunderthegoal5,goal6,andgoal7ofthisreport.

Originally, the Road Map envisioned piloting a partnership with the private sector to developproductsadjustedtoneedsofolderpersons.Thereweresomeone-offinitiativeswheretheprivatesector developed specific products targeting older persons. One such initiative was led by thetelecommunicationscompanyOrangeArmeniathatdevelopedphonestailoredtotheneedsofolderpersons(e.g.phoneswithwiderkeypads).Afewthousandphonesweredistributed,buttherewasnocontinuationoftheinitiativeafterthefirstdistribution.Moreover,aftersometime,thephonesstoppedworkingandwereunusable.Theevaluation,however,didnotfindevidenceofafullydevelopedmarketsegmentinArmeniathatspecificallyaddressestheneedsofolderpersons.Potentialreasonsforthismay include theperceptionthatolderpersonsarenotseenaspossessingconsiderablepurchasingpower,despitethefactthatmanyofthemhavesupplementalfinancialsupportfromtheirchildrenworkingabroad.

3.6.3. Health Care and Quality of Life

Goal 3: To achieve high quality of life at all ages, enhance the ability of older persons to live independently, enhance health and well-being.

Respondents in the surveyconsistently ranked thegoalofachievingahighqualityof life forolderpersonsasoneofthetopthreeprioritygoals.Whilerecognizingthatqualityoflifeisacomplexandinterconnected issue,theRoadMapdoesmakeastrongefforttoaddresscorecomponentsofthisissuethroughbuildinginactivitiesthatincreaseaccesstoqualityhealthcare,promotepreventativehealthmeasuresandapositivewell-being,improveaccesstoqualityinstitutionalcareandhousing,andpromoteindependentliving.

Availabilityofandaccesstohealthcareservices

Thereareparticularconditionsassociatedwithageing,rangingfromcommonissuessuchashearingloss,diabetes,anddementiatomorecomplexconditionsreferredtoasgeriatricsyndromes,including

______________________________________________________

26WHO(2015):AgeingandHealth,FactSheetNo.404.


16

frailty,urinaryincontinent,anddelirium.26Inthisview,theavailabilityofandaccesstoaffordableandqualityhealthcareservicesthatrespondtosuchneedsofolderpersonsiscritical.

SincethecollapseoftheSovietUnion,Armeniahasexperiencedafragmentationof itshealthcaresystem.Thecountryinheritedahealthcarestructurethatwascentralizedandprovidedfreemedicalservices (primary, secondaryandtertiaryservices) to thewholeof thepopulation. In recentyears,therehasbeenashifttodecentralizingpublicservices,includinghealthcare,toprovincialandlocalgovernmentsandprivatizingmedicalinstitutionsduetothelackofcentralizedfunding.Asaresult,ithasgreatlyreducedaccesstoessentialhealthservicesforthemajorityoftheArmenianpopulation,and in particular the poorest households, and sociallymarginalized groups including personswithmentaldisabilitiesandolderpersons.27

InArmenia,itistheconstitutionalrightofeverycitizen,regardlessofage,tobegrantedtherighttoreceivemedicalcareandservices freeofcharge.This includesprimaryhealthcareandout-patientservices,anddentalservices.28Yet,duetothecurrentstructureofthehealthcareandhealthfinancingsystems,accessisnotfullyguaranteedwithoutout-of-pocketcoststopatients,whichoftencanbeanenormousburdenonpensioners.Someresearchhasreportedthatoverthelast10yearstherehasbeenpooraccess tohealthcare inArmenia,despite thenumberofhealth facilitiesand increasingmedicalworkforce..29Torelievetheseburdensandimproveaccess,theGovernmenthasintroducedco-paymentschemesbetweenthepatientandtheproviderequalingthedifferenceoftreatmentcostsasdefinedbythestateandthe‘realcosts’incurredbytheprovider.Forsome,inparticularsociallyvulnerablegroups,thenewfinancingmechanismhasnowresultedinout-of-pocketfeesforservicesormedicinesthatintheoryshouldbefullycoveredbytheGovernment.

Generallyspeaking,healthcareservices inruralcommunitiesarepoorer inquality.30Similar tothemajorityofstate-fundedsocialservices,mostmedicalfacilitiesinArmeniaarelocatedinurbancenters.Forolderpersonswholiveinruralcommunities,thisisanadditionalhurdletoaccessessentialservices.Towidentheaccessofhealthcare,therehavebeendiscussionstodeploymobilehealthunitstoreachgroupslivinginremoteorruralcommunitiesandborderareas,althoughnotangibleactionshavebeentakenasofyet.

Specialhealthcareservices(geriatrics/gerontology,mentalhealth,palliativecare)

Theevaluationdidfindthattherehavebeensomepositivegainsinaddressingthespecificneedsofolderpersons.In2014,theGovernmentofArmeniapassedlegislationthatproposestointegratethedisciplineofgeriatricsasaspecificmedicalprofession,tointroducegraduatelevelcoursesingeriatrics,andtoemploygeriatricians(orfamilydoctorswhopassedspecialtrainingwork)atboardinghousesfor older persons.31 At present, Armenia has introduced the curriculum for geriatrics for medicalprofessionals to specialize in at educational institutions.While there are currently staff specializedingeriatricsorgerontologythroughoutthecountry,theyarenotpresentinallhealthfacilities.Theenforcementofthislawmayhelpincreasetheirpresence.

With respect to mental health care services, there have been several initiatives passed by theGovernmentrelatedtotheprovisionofadequatementalhealthcareservices,includingthoseforolderpersons.Theseincludeaconceptpaperon“RenderingAlternativeCareandSocialServicestoPersons

______________________________________________________

27Richardson,Erica(2013).Armenia–HealthSystemReview,HealthSystemsinTransition,vol.15,no.4.28ConstitutionoftheRepublicofArmenia:Article38.29Tonoyan,TamaraandLusineMuradyan(2012):HealthInequalitiesinArmenia,InternationalJournalonEquityHealth,vol.11,no.32.30WorldBank(2012):Armenia–QualityandAffordablehealthCareforAll.31DecreeoftheGovernmentoftheRAN952(September4,2014).SeeAnnex7fordetails.32DecreeoftheGovernmentoftheRAN17(May22013).SeeAnnex7fordetails.


17

withMentalProblems”32andprotocoldecreesthatspecificallyrequirehomecareservicesforolderpersonswhoarelivingalonewithmentalhealthproblemsand/orsenilepsychosis.Currently,therearetwostate-runboardinghomesthatareexclusivelyforolderpersonswithmentalhealthissues.Inaddition,therearesomeday-carecentersthatserveolderpersonswithmentalhealthissues,providingsocialandpsychologicalalternativeout-patientservices.Outsideofthis,MissionArmeniarunsfourMentalHealthDayCenters.Whileeffortsarebeingmadetoensuretheseservicesareavailableattheprovinciallevel,theyarenotalwayseasilyaccessible.Forexample,amentalhealthcaredaycenter,adjacent toVardenis boarding house, is presently theonly public day-care centerwhich serves allpersonswithmentalhealthproblemsinGegharkunikregionwhichhad233,000inhabitantsin2015.33

In comparison, there isanearabsenceofpalliativecare services in thecountry.Therehavebeen,however,attemptstointegrateitintoavailablehealthcareservices.In2009,palliativecareserviceswere included in the government-approved list ofmedical services. In 2010, aworking group onpalliative carewas established, led by the Government and inclusive of civil society organizationsworkinginthecountry.From2011-2013,therewasapilotprojectinitiatedbytheHealthMinistry,incollaborationwiththeGlobalFundandOpenSocietyInstituteAssistanceFoundationArmenia.Thepilotprovidedlearningsonestimatedcostsforpalliativecareintoitspublichealthcaresystem.Following,threepolicydocumentswereapproved: (i) toestablish thestructureofpalliativecare services; (ii)tooutlinetheprofessionalqualificationsformedicalprofessioninpalliativecare;and(iii)tosetthestandards forpalliativemedical careand services and clinical guidelines forpainmanagement.34 A nationalstrategyhasbeendeveloped,buthasyettobeapproved.Theissueoffundingalsoposesacontinuingchallenge.

Institutionalcareandindependentliving

AnintegralpartofthesocialprotectionsystemforolderpersonsinArmeniaistheinstitutionalcare,whichincludesboardinghouses(thatprovide24-hourcare),adultdaycenters,andhome-basedcareservicestosupportindependentliving.Notsurprisingly,thesefacilitiesarelocatedprimarilyinurbancentersandthuscoveronlyafractionofthetotalolderpopulation.

In Armenia, there are currently nine boarding houses, five ofwhich are government-run boardinghousessupervisedbytheMinistryofLabourandSocialAffairs.Intotal,theseinstitutionscarefor1,350olderpersons,where1,210reside inthefivestate-runboardinghousesand140reside inthefourprivatelyrunboardinghouses.Boardingcarefacilitiesprovide24-hourcaretoassistpensionerswhocannotliveindependentlyordonothavechildrentocareforthem.Inadditiontoroomandboard,suchfacilitiesgenerallyprovideon-sitemedical,psychosocialandcasemanagementservices.Socialactivities,includingreadingclubs,gardening,intergenerationalexchanges,fieldtrips,arealsocoretoboardinghomestopromoteanactiveandsociallife.Atpresent,therearetwospecializedfacilitiesexclusivelyforpensionerswithmentalhealthproblems.

Therearealsoday-careandhome-basedsupportservicesavailabletoolderpersonsinArmenia.Suchservicescanincludehomevisitsformedicalcare,assistancewithdailyerrandsanddomesticchores,housekeepingservices,orhomedeliveryofmeals. Inthisarena, localNGOsareparticularlyactiveinservingtheolderpersonsintheircommunities,especiallythosewhoarepoororwithoutfamily.Notably,thecharityNGOMissionArmeniafounded17daycentersinsevenregionsofthecountryandthecityofYerevan,wherearound1,800pensionersreceivecareservices.ArmenianCaritas,anNGOthatoperatesmainlyinShirak,LoriandGegharkunikregions,servesmorethan620olderpersons.TheNGOhasday-carecentersthatservethecitiesofGyumriandTashirandrunstheinitiative“National______________________________________________________

33NationalStatisticalServiceoftheRepublicofArmenia(2015):ArmeniainFigures2015.34HumanRightsWatch(2015):CancerandStruggleforPalliativeCareinArmenia.


18

HomeCare”whichprovideshomecareservicesandmedicalassistanceto300olderpersonswholivealoneandareunabletocareforthemselves.Similarly,theArmenianRedCrossSocietyimplementsvarious social support programmes (including social services, food, clothing, psychological andcounselingsupport)thattargetolderpeopleaswellasrefugees.Asmentioned,therearealsosomeday-carecentersthatserveolderpersonswithmentalhealthissues,providingsocialandpsychologicalalternativeout-patient services. Alongside this, the statedoesprovide assistancewithhome careservicesforolderpersonswithmentaldisabilitieswholive independently.Forexample, inYerevan,there is a state-run center that currently services 1,500 pensioners and persons with disabilities,providinghomecareandsocialservices,includinghouseholdservicesandmedicalassistance.

Withregardtothequalityofcare,thereweremixedviewsonstandardsofcare.Whilethestate-runfacilitiesreportedthattheyadheredtospecificstandardsofquality,thefacilitiesoperatedbynon-stateactorsreportedtheyadheretovaryingstandardsdependentonthedonorfundingtheinitiatives.ItisanticipatedthattheSwissRedCrosswillundertakeanexercisewithlocalexpertstodevelopuniversalindicatorsforstandardsofcare.

Serviceprovidersonstaffhavevariedskillmixandcapacities.TakingoneofthelargerboardinghousesinYerevanasanexample,theworkforceconsistedofthreephysicians(onegeriatricspecialistandoneneurologist),threesocialworkers,threepsychologists,21nurses,and36caregivers.ThefacilityalsoestablishedapartnershipwithalocalNGOtoprovidepalliativecareeverySaturday.Intotal,therewere135staffmembersand230residents.Residentsdonotlivealonebutratherinsharedrooms-eithertworesidentsperfivesquaremetersorsixresidentsper30squaremeters.Comparatively,inanotherfacilityinYerevan,onaveragetherewasonesocialworkerfor120residents,onepsychologistforevery500residents,onedoctorforevery200patients,onenurseforevery120residentsandonecaretakerforevery30residents.Itshouldbenotedthat90percentofresidentsinthisfacilitywereable-bodied.

Tomonitorqualityofcare,theMinistryofHealthindicatedthattheyconductregularmonitoringvisitstothestate-runfacilities.InYerevan,theevaluationnotedtheparticipationoftheolderresidentsinthemonitoringofcare.Forexample,onecareinstitutionestablisheda“Boardofolderpersons/residents”witharepresentativefromeachfloorinwhichtheyhaveweeklymeetingswithmanagementoftheboardinghousetoexpresstheirconcernssurroundingtheresidents,qualityofserviceprovision,andthefacility.Thisnotonlyprovidesmanagementwithadirectchanneltosurveyandcollectopinionsfromtheresidents,butalsoprovidesresidents,whoserveasfloorrepresentatives,withasenseofpurposeandtheopportunitytovoicetheirconcerns.

3.6.4. Social Protection and Services

Goal 4: To ensure a minimum social protection level at poverty threshold to all in need, including those who can no longer earn their own income due to old age and related disability.

Todate,thepovertyrateinArmeniaisanestimated30percent.35AccordingtodatacollectedbytheNationalStatisticalServiceofArmenia,itwasconcludedthatthepresenceofolderfamilymembersinthehousehold(over60yearsofage)canincreasethepovertyriskbyasmuchas1.5times.Thissuggeststhatincomesecurityforolderpersonsisnotonlyessential,butatthepresentinsufficient.Amongstakeholderssurveyed,theissueofsocialprotectionofolderpersonswasrankedasoneofthetopthreemostimportantgoalsoftheRoadMap.

______________________________________________________

35WorldBank(2015):WorldDevelopmentIndicators.http://data.worldbank.org/country/armenia


19

Pension

Armeniahastakendedicatedstepstoensurethesocialprotectionofolderpersons,particularlythosewhocannotearnincomeduetooldageordisability.Pensionremainsakeymeansofsupportforolderpersons,andinsomeinstancestheonlymeansofsupport.From2012-2014,pensionspendingremainsthebulkofsocialsectorspending inArmenia, landingbetween17-19percent.AsapercentageofArmenia’sGDP,pensionspendingisaround5percent.36

Armenia’s pension systemwas formerly a pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) systemwhere benefits to olderpersonsarepaiddirectlyoutofcurrenttaxesandsocialsecuritycontributions.Labourpensionincludesmenandwomen37aged63withatleast25yearsofcoveredemployment.38Socialpensionincludesmenandwomenaged65withlessthan5yearsofcoveredemployment.Thefundingforpensionsisfinancedthroughgovernmentcontributionsandmandatorysocialcontributions(socialtax).

In2011,thebasicpensionwasAMD10,500(about28USD)permonth.Thisamountsto20percentofaverageincomesinArmenia.Withintheregion,pensionsinArmeniaareonlyabouthalfoftheaveragepensionsamongcountriesintheregion.

In2013,91.6percentofpeopleover65receivedapension,andin2015,thenumberjumpedto100percent.39InArmenia,thereisonepensioncontributorperpensionbeneficiary.Othercountriesintheregionhavea1.5ratioofcontributortoreceiver.Comparatively,moreeconomicallydevelopedcountrieshavea2.0ratioofcontributortoreceiver.40Giventheshareofworkerscontributingtothepensionsystemtopensionersreceivingbenefits,thecurrentsystemisfiscallyunstableandunsustainable.

Pensionreform

In2010,apensionreformwasintroducedwiththeaimoffiscalsustainabilityamidsttheeconomiclandscapeandchangingdemographicstructure.In2014,stepsweremadetomovetowardtheWorldBank’smulti-pillar systemthat requiresanobligatorydeductionof funds fromworkers’ salaries fora government-run pension fund. Its implementationhoweverwas unsuccessful due to nationwideprotestsontheconstitutionalityofthereform.Pointsofcontentionincludeitsmandatorynature,thecapongovernmentsubsidiesandtheimpositionofcontributionswithouttaxdeductibility.Asaresult,themandatorypension systemappliedonly to thepublic sectorworkers, and remained voluntaryfortheworkers intheprivatesector.41Todate,aresolutionhasnotbeenmade. InMay2016,theGovernmentapproveddraftamendments to the lawwhichwouldextend thedefermentuntil July2018.ItattributedthemovetoitsongoingeffortstoreformArmeniantaxlegislation.42

Integratedsocialservices

Income security is not only dependent on a reliable source of income (whichmaybe in the formof pension), but alsoon the availability of and access to social services, includinghealth care andinstitutionalcare, for freeorat lowcost. In thisview, toprovideamorecomprehensive responsetoensuring the socialprotectionofolderpersons,Armeniapassed legislationon the“AdoptionoftheProgrammeonIntroductionoftheSystemofIntegratedSocialServicesin2012”.Thelegislation______________________________________________________

36NationalStatisticalServiceoftheRepublicofArmenia(2015):SocialSnapshotandPovertyinArmenia.37In2011,theretirementageforwomenwasraisedtoage63.38Inaddition,benefitswouldbeavailabletowomenandmenaged59withatleast25yearsofcoveredemploymentofwhichatleast20yearswereinarduousorhazardouswork;oraged55withatleast25yearsofcoveredemploymentofwhichatleast15yearswereinextremelyarduousorhazardouswork.39 Help Age International: Social Pension Database. http://www.pension-watch.net/about-social-pensions/about-social-pensions/social-pensions-database/.40WorldBank(2014):RepublicofArmeniaPublicExpenditureReview:ExpandingtheFiscalEnvelope.41ILO(2012):DecentWorkCountryProfile:Armenia.42Azattyun:ArmeniaPensionReformDelayedFurther,5May2016.http://www.azatutyun.am/a/27717766.html.


20

outlinesacommitmenttowardtheincreasedaccessibilityandqualityofsocialservicesaccordingtotheneedsofthepopulation,withaviewtopromotesocialcohesionanddecreasesocialexclusionofvulnerablegroups,includingolderpersons.

Currently,pensionerswholiveinthecapitalcityofYerevanareatlowerriskforpovertyincomparisonwiththosewholiveinvillages(1.5times)andothercities(1.7times).Notsurprisingly,thehighestrateofseverepovertyinArmeniawasamongpensionerswholiveinvillages.43ThereishoweverevidencethattheGovernmenthasputinplacemeasurestoensurethatthesehigherriskgroupshaveaccesstotheappropriatesocialservices.Onemeasureinvolvesplacingcommunitysocialworkersintheseruralor remote communities toensure that theneedsandprioritiesof all groups, includingolderpersons,inthesecommunitiesareaddressed.ThisiscurrentlybeingimplementedinTavushandLoriregions.Moreover,theevaluationfoundthatsomeactionhasbeentakentowardtheintegrationofpublicsocialservicesandthecreationofterritorialservicecenters,whichwillserveasoutpostsintheprovisionofintegratedsocialservicesthroughouttheprovinces.Thishoweverdoesnotguaranteethatruralcommunitiesandvillagesettlementswillbeequallyreachedgiventhatthecenterswillbeplacedintheurbanhubsoftheprovinces.

Informalcare

WhilethereisaformalcaresysteminArmenia,theevaluationfoundthatculturallythecareofolderpersonsisprovidedbyfamilies.Accordingly,themajorityofolderpersonsinArmenialivewiththeirchildreninmultigenerationalhouseholds.However,informalcarecannotbereplacedbyformalcare,rathertheyshouldbecomplementary.Theburdenofcareoninformalcaregivers–emotional,physicalandfinancial – canbeoverwhelming,particularly in ahouseholdwithbothpensioners and youngchildrenwhocannotcontributetohouseholdincomes.TheevaluationfoundthattheGovernmenthastakenstepstoaddressthisimbalancedburdenthroughsocialsupportprogrammes,suchastheFamilyBenefitsProgramme.

The Family Benefits Programme is the second largest social assistance programme under socialprotection spending. The programme relies on a household’s vulnerability score which takes intoaccount income levels,numberof familymembersby social group (children,disabledpersonsandolder persons), housing conditions, and geographical area of residence. Households receive anaverage29,350AMDpermonth.44AccordingtotheNationalStatisticalServiceofArmenia,abouthalfofpensionersalsoareeitherFamilyBenefitsProgrammerecipientsorliveinhouseholdswithfamilieswhoarerecipientsoftheprogramme.Apartfromthisstate-fundedinitiative,theevaluationdidnotfindanyothersupportservicesforfamiliescaringforolderpersons.

Othersocialsupportservices

At the community level, the evaluation found that non-state actors have instituted alternativeinitiatives toaugmentsocial services forolderpersons.Forexample,MissionArmeniaoperates32CharityCanteenswhichservefreemealsdailytoolderpersonsintheircommunity.Thesoupkitchenrunsasresourcesallow,beingpartiallysubsidizedbytheGovernment.Similarly,ArmenianCaritashasafoodprogrammeinShirakprovince,“DryFoodfor200BeneficiariesLivinginGyumri”,toimprovethelivingconditionsandwell-beingofolderpersonsinthesecommunities.

These non-governmental organizations among others also provide access to information aboutpensionandotherrelatedsocialservicesforolderpersonsaswellasothervulnerablegroupsinthe

______________________________________________________

43NationalStatisticalServiceoftheRepublicofArmenia(2015):SocialSnapshotandPovertyinArmenia.44WorldBank(2014):RepublicofArmeniaPublicExpenditureReview:ExpandingtheFiscalEnvelope.


21

community,includingrefugeesfromUkraineorAzerbaijan.Typicallythereisasocialworkeronstaffwhoactsasacasemanagerforolderpersons,andsomehavelawyersorlegaladvocatesonstaffthatprovide informationon their civil rightsand the legal codeas relevant toolderpersons.Generallyspeaking,theevaluationfoundthatinformationonsocialprotectionandrelatedbenefitsseemedtobesharedinformallyamongolderpersons,throughsocialnetworksaswellasthehomecareandday-carecenters.

Homelessnessandsociallyvulnerablegroups

HomelessnessisalsoagrowingissueafflictingolderpersonsinArmenia.AccordingtothedataprovidedbytheMinistryofHealth,therearemorethan300homelesspersonswhere20percentofthemare63yearsoldorolderinthecitiesofYerevan,Gyumri,andVanadzor.Thestatehaspassedlegislationthatregulatestheproceduresforprovidingtemporaryhousingwithoutchargetosociallyvulnerablegroupswhich includespersons65orolder.45Alongside this, several internationalactorshave takenactiontoaddressthis issue.Forexample,theArmenian-DanishfoundationHansChristianCooedprovidestemporaryshelterforhomelesspersons,includingolderpersons,inthecityofYerevan.In2008,theMinistryofLabourandSocialAffairsincollaborationwiththeSwissGovernmentintroducedthemodelof“SocialHouses”.Thefacilitieswereintendedforhomelesspensionerswhodonothavechildrenaswellasrefugeefamilies.ThefirsthousewaserectedinGyumri.Theevaluationhowevercouldnotfindanyfurtherinformationiftheprojectwasexpanded,orongoingforthatmatter.

3.6.5. Economic Participation and Opportunities

Goal 5: To develop and implement economic strategies with the aim of sustainable economic growth and development.

Goal 6: To reduce obstacles and increase options for older persons to be economically active both when approaching retirement and beyond retirement age should they wish to do so.

Goal 7: To increase overall capacities and training levels among the population in all age groups.

Acountry’sagestructureisaninfluencingfactortoitseconomicgrowth.Researchhasshownthatonaveragetheratioofconsumptiontoproductiontendstobehighforyoungerandolderpersons,andlowfortheworkingagepopulation.46InArmenia,thecurrentunemploymentrateis18percentanditalsohasalowlabourforceparticipationratewhereanestimated2/3ofworkingagepopulationisunemployedorlookingforwork.47Manywhoareemployedhavelowproductivityjobsthatarelowpaid,payinglessthan2/3oftheminimumwage.48Inaddition,theArmenianeconomyfacesseveralchallengeswithinthecontextofitsagestructure,includinganincreasingout-migrationofitsworkingagepopulationandagrowingpensionpopulation.

Tofullyaddresstheconsequencesofdemographicageingontheeconomy,economicstrategiesneedtonotonlypromotegrowthandjobcreation,butalsobeequitableacrossallgenerationsandgender.Inthefigurebelow,theunemploymentratesinArmeniaarebrokendownbyagegroupsillustratingtwothings:(i)theneedtoenhancelabourparticipationacrossallagegroups;and(ii)theparticipationofolderworkersinthelabourmarketisverylow:10.8percentofpeopleaged55–59,6.7percentofthoseaged60–64,and2.9percentofthoseaged65-69.

______________________________________________________

45DecreeoftheGovernmentoftheRAN1069(September102015).SeeAnnex7fordetails.46 Bloom,David,DavidCanningandGuntherFink(2011):ImplicationsofPopulationAgingonEconomicGrowth.47TradingEconomics:ArmeniaUnemploymentRate1998-2016.www.tradingeconomics.com.48WorldBank(2014):TheJobsChallengeintheSouthCaucasus–Armenia.


22

Figure 7: Economically Active Population by Age Group (2014)

Source:NationalStatisticalServiceoftheRepublicofArmenia

Tothefirstpoint,collectivelyenhancingthelabourparticipationacrossallagegroupscancontributetolesseningtheconsequencesofpopulationageing,whichincludeanover-burdenedpensionsystem,lowproductivity,andstagnantgrowth.Tothesecondpoint, increasedlabourforceparticipationbyolderpersons,andperhapsthere-entryofthosewhohavealreadyretired,couldalsohelpalleviatethe stresses of Armenia’s current economic situation. Apart from the economic benefits of thisapproach, studieshave shown thepositiveeffectsof continued cognitiveandphysical activity andsocialengagementonolderadults,whichincludepotentiallypostponingphysicalandmentaldecline.49 This approachhoweverwouldbedependentona varietyof factors including the legal framework(healthcareandpensionprovisions)aswellastheaccesstoresources,servicesandtrainingforolderpersons.

Legalframework

Therehavebeensomedevelopmentsintheprotectionforolderworkers.InApril2009,theConstitutionalCourtofArmeniaruleditwaslegallypossibletocontinueworkafterofficialretirement.

In2015,anamendmentwaspassedontheLabourCodeoftheRepublicofArmeniatowardsaddressingagediscriminationagainstolderworkers.Theevaluationhowevercouldnotfindspecific legislationeliminatingdiscriminationagainstolderworkers.

Notably,Armeniawasamongthefirstcountriesintheregiontograduallyintroduceequalretirementageforwomenandmen.In2011,theretirementageforwomenwasincreasedfrom62.5to63sothatlabourpensionforoldageincludesbothmenandwomenaged63withatleast25yearsofcoveredemployment.50

Asdiscussedundergoal4,theGovernmentofArmeniahasmadeattemptsatpensionreformwiththeaimforfiscalsustainability.In2010,pensionreformlawwasintroducedtoaddanotherpillarto______________________________________________________

49Williams,KristineandSusanKemper(2010).ExploringInterventionstoReduceCognitiveDeclineinAgeing,JournalofPsychosocialNursingandMentalHealServices,vol.48,no.5,pp.42–51.50Inaddition,benefitswouldbeavailabletowomenandmenaged59withatleast25yearsofcoveredemploymentofwhichatleast20yearswereinarduousorhazardouswork;oraged55withatleast25yearsofcoveredemploymentofwhichatleast15yearswereinextremelyarduousorhazardouswork.


23

thecurrent‘pay-as-you-gosystem’whereaslidingscaleofcontributions(basedonincomeearned)would bemade to individual pension accounts that would replace income after retirement. Thecontributions would be tax-free, but would not include government matching contributions. Thenewsystemwasmandatoryforallemployeesbelowtheageof40andvoluntaryforolderworkers.This spurred nationwide protests in 2014 stalling its implementation. To date, the reform remainsunresolved.InMay2016,theGovernmentapproveddraftamendmentstothelawwhichwouldextendthedefermentuntilJuly2018. Itattributedthemoveto itsongoingeffortstoreformArmeniantaxlegislation.51

Enablingenvironmentandaccesstoresourcesandtraining

Withregardtoflexibleemploymentarrangements,therewerenospecificpoliciesinplacetoensureaccommodationsweremadetopromotetheparticipationofolderworkersinthelabourmarkets.Theevaluationalsoobservedastrongperceptionamongstakeholdersthatthelowparticipationofolderpersonsinthelabourforcewasnotduetoalackofopportunityoranenablingenvironment,ratheralackofinterestormotivation.

Researchhas shown thatbyequipping awork forcewith supplementary knowledgeand technicalskills,itnotonlymakesthemmoreeffective,butalsomoreflexibletothechangingneedsofthelabourmarket.WhilethereisawideningrecognitioninArmeniatoreducetheobstaclesandincreasethecapacitiesandoptionsforolderpersonstobeeconomicallyactive,therehasbeenstalledprogressintheprovisionofsuchservices.52

Withregardtovocationaltrainingforolderworkers,theevaluationfoundnoevidenceofsystematicprogrammes in place. There are vocational training programmes that are undertakenby the StateUnemploymentAgencywhichareinclusiveofallagegroups,exceptforpersonspasttheageof63.Mostrecently,theMinistryofEducationdraftedits“DevelopmentofEducationfor2016-2025Programme”whichhighlightsfive targetsbutdoesnot address theeducationalneeds forolderpersons, ratherfocusingontheeducationalneedsforchildren.Whenresourcesareavailable,non-stateactorshaveattemptedtofillthisgapbyprovidingcourses,suchascomputerliteracy,toolderpersons.

Onasimilartrend,theevaluationfoundthattherehasnotbeenmuchprogressintermsofcontinuingadulteducationorlifelonglearninginitiatives.Supplementaryeducation,whichisonecomponentoflifelonglearning,isdefinedbytheRALawonEducationasanintegralpartoftheeducationsystem.However,actionstowardsupplementaryeducationhavenotbeenfullyimplementedyetduetothelackoflegislativeregulations.

WhileArmeniahasnotyetapprovedthestrategyforlifelonglearning,therehasbeensomeincreasedvisibilityandsupportonthetopicfromactorsoutsideofthestate.Apublicawarenesscampaignforlifelonglearningwaslaunchedin2012.Severalinternationaldonorshavemadeinvestmentsinadulteducation,e-learningandVocationalandEducationalTraining (VET)reforms, includingtheGermanFederalEnterpriseforInternationalCooperation(GIZ),EuropeanUnion,UnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP)andtheUnitedStatesAgencyforInternationalDevelopment(USAID).Likewise,therehasbeenasimilarmovement incivilsocietywhereatthe local leveltheyarepromotersandimplementersofthefundedinitiatives.Notably,theArmenianLifelongLearningLeaguewasestablishedconsistingofaunionof12NGOsactiveinadulteducationandcontinuedlearning.

______________________________________________________

51Azattyun:ArmeniaPensionReformDelayedFurther,5May2016.http://www.azatutyun.am/a/27717766.html.52Evaluationsurveyresultsreportedthatgoals6andgoal7weretopprioritygoals.


24

Fundingremainstobeakeychallengetolifelonglearning,andmoreoverpubliceducationatlargeinArmenia.Expenditureforeducationacrossalllevelsin2011comprised2.8percentofGDPwhichisalittlemorethanhalfofthepublicspendingoneducationinOECDcountries,whichonaverageis5.1percentoftheirGDPoneducationalinstitutionsatprimary,secondaryandtertiarylevels.53

3.6.6. Gender Equality

Goal 8: To ensure gender equality in all aspects of national life, increase public awareness.

WhileArmeniadoeshaveaStrategyandActionPlanonGender2011-2015inplace,itisnotevidentfrom thedocuments available if amendmentsor revisionshavebeenmade to include the specificconcernsandaddressthespecificneedsofolderpersons.Asitstands,“theelderly”arementionedonlyonceinthegenderpolicy.

Withregardtoageingpolicies,theevaluationfoundthattheissueofgendercouldalsobemainstreamedmoreeffectively.Inmanycaseswheregenderisidentifiedasaconsiderationorcomponentoftheseframeworks,itisnotmainstreamedinfull;meaningthatthereisalimitedunderstandingorreflectiononthecoreissuesthatsurroundgenderinageing,particularlywithrespecttoinequalitiesinthewaysolderwomenandoldermenaccessservices,resources,opportunitiesandrights.Partofthiscouldbeaddressediftherewassystematicdatacollectionontheinteractionsbetweengenderandageing.Demographicdatashouldalsobedisaggregatedbysexsothatthegenderdimensioncanbefurtherunpackedandexplored.

Despitethedatalimitations,theevaluationdididentifysomeareasoftheRoadMapthathavemadegainsinsuchunderstandingandhavebeenabletotranslatethisunderstandingintotangibleactions.Oneexampleinvolveslabourmarketparticipation.From2012to2014,theemploymentrateofwomenandmenaveragedaround46.6percentand64.7percent,respectively.Inresponse,theGovernmentinstitutedseveralmechanismstopromotetheparticipationofwomen,including:improvedaccesstochildcarefacilities,developingskillstoeffectivelycombinefamilyobligationswithworkandcareer,andanextendedfemaleretirementage.54

3.6.7. Social Cohesion and Intergenerational Solidarity

Goal 9: To promote and support cohesion and solidarity within and between generations.

InArmenia,intergenerationaltiesarequitestrongandthecareofolderpersonsiscustomarilytakenupbytheiryoungerfamilymembers.AccordingtoasurveyconductedbyHelpAgeInternationalin2013,54percentofArmenianpersonsover50reportedtheyhaverelativesorfriendstheycancountonwhenintrouble,andin2015,thisincreasedto63percent.

Inthiscontext,theevaluationexaminedsupportsystemsandmechanismsforfamiliesthatundertakethesecareroles.LimiteddatawasfoundontheactivitiesthattheGovernmenthasinitiatedtosupportfamiliesprovidingcaretoolderpersons.Aspreviouslydiscussedunderthesectionregardingsocialprotection,Armeniadoeshaveastate-fundedprogramme,the“FamilyBenefitsProgramme”,whichprovidesfinancialsupporttolargefamilieswithspecialconsiderationgivenforfamilieswithpensioners.

Withregardtoolderpersonswhodonothavefamilies,thereweresomemoreinnovativeinitiativesinthisarea introducedbynon-stateactors. Notably,MissionArmeniaestablishedaprogrammetopair older persons with no families with single-mother households. The logic behind the pairing

______________________________________________________

53NationalStatisticalServiceoftheRepublicofArmenia;OECD(2016):PublicSpendingonEducation:https://data.oecd.org/eduresource/public-spending-n-education.htm54ILO(2012):DecentWorkCountryProfile:Armenia


25

was to facilitate reciprocal benefits for both participants. The older persons could benefit fromthe social interactionwith the single-mother family aswell as the ability of the singlemothers toundertakehouseholdactivitiesthatolderpersonswouldnotbeabletodootherwise.Ontheotherendofthepairing,thesinglemotherscouldbenefitfromtheopportunitytoliveinwhattypicallyareaccommodationsdedicatedforolderpersons,theinteractionwitholdercommunities,aswellaschildcareservicesthattheolderpersonmaybeabletoprovide.

The evaluation also found other initiatives, previously mentioned, that promote solidarity acrossgenerationsincluding:Jubileepartycelebratingtheartisticachievementsofolderpersons,exchangesbetween boarding houses and primary schools, family sporting competitions where teams arecomposed ofmultiple generations fromacross family lines. Apart from the Jubilee festival, theseactivities however did not appear to be regular ongoing activities, rather one-off activitieswhereresourceswereavailable.Apotentialkeyactorinleadingtheseefforts,theMinistryofSportandYouth,didnothaveanyspecificinitiativesaddressingthisgoalwhichimplicatessomemissedopportunitiestopromoteintergenerationalcohesion.

3.6.8. Coordination and Partnerships55

Goal 10: To encourage partnerships between all stakeholders on all levels to address the challenges of the ageing society.

In2008,aregionalintergovernmentalbody,theWorkingGrouponAgeing,wasestablished.ItismadeupofnationalfocalpointsonageingrepresentingthememberStateswithintheregion,includingArmenia,alongwithrepresentativesfrominternationalorganizations,NGOsandacademia.TheWorkingGroupmeetsregularlyreviewingeffortsattheregionallevelaswellasineachoftherespectivecountries.AreportingmechanismhasbeensetupfortheimplementationofMIPAA/RIStowhichallrelevantmemberStatesparticipate,includingArmenia.

Atthenationallevel,theGovernmentofArmeniasetupanofficialcoordinatingbody,theInter-agencyCommitteeonAgeing,in2012tosuperviseandmonitortheimplementationoftheRoadMap.Membersincludeofficialsfromrelevantministriesaswellaskeyrepresentativesofinternationalorganizations,civilsociety,andtradeunion.TheMinistryofLabourandSocialAffairschairstheCommittee,whichmeetsregularlythreetimesayearandconvenesonanadhocbasis,asneeded.Themeetingsprovideaspaceformemberstosharetheprogressmadeintheirrespectiveareas,discusschallengesandissuesthattheymayhaveencounteredinimplementation,andpresentupcomingprojectsandinitiatives.

Itisnotclearhowtheprovincesandlocalcommunities(apartfromtheYerevanMunicipality)arerepresentedinthesemeetings,althoughtheMinistryofTerritorialAdministrationandDevelopment,whichwasrecentlyestablishedearlierthisyear,isanactivememberoftheCommittee.Figure8presentssurveyresultswheretherespondentsindicatedthatcoordinationandpartnershipsprimarilyhappenedatthenationallevel.Toalesserextent,coordinationandpartnershipsintheimplementationoftheRoadMapoccurredatthelocalandprovinciallevels.Broadlyspeaking,theinfrastructureforcollaborationisweakbothbetweennationalandlocalauthoritiesaswellasatthelocallevelbetweenmunicipalities.

______________________________________________________

55 Thissectionalsoaddressesevaluationquestion7-HastheRoadMapfacilitatedincreasedcoordinationorpartnershipsbetweenArmenianministriesandotherkeystakeholdersatthenational,provincialandlocallevels?


26

Figure 8: Survey Results on Coordination and Partnerships by level (National, Provincial, Local)

OutsideoftheInter-agencyCommittee,non-stateactorshaverecentlyestablishedaformalnetwork-theElderlyProtectionNetwork.Priortotheestablishmentofthisnetwork,thesevenmembersdidwork inpartnershipwitheachother,albeit inamore informalway. Formalizing thenetworkalsoservestoestablishamorestrategicpartnershipamongtheentitiestomoreeffectivelyadvocateandinfluencesocialpolicyatthenationallevel.

TheextenttowhichcoordinationmovesbeyondtheCommitteeandthesetmeetingsismixed.Asseen in figure 9, 70 per cent of survey respondents agreed that the RoadMap had facilitated in-creasedcoordinationbothbetweengovernmentauthoritiesandamongkeystakeholders.Similarly,a majorityofrespondentsagreedthattheRoadMaphelpedfacilitatenewpartnerships(70percentagreed)formedbetweengovernmentauthoritiesandamongkeystakeholders(83percentagreed).However, from the interviewsandgroupdiscussions, theevaluation found that somegovernmentagencieswereunawareofwhattheirsisteragenciesweredoing.Itwasalsoevidentthatthedivisionoflabourbetweenministrieswasclearlydefined,yetsomuchsoitseemedtopreventanyinitiativeforcollaborationacrossentities.GiventheinterconnectednessoftheRoadMap,thereseemedtobesomemissedopportunitiesforcollaborationacrossagencies,andwherecollaborationdidoccuritwaslimitedandadhoc.

67%

50%

45%

43%

22%

38%

36%

34%

11%

12%

18%

23%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Increasedcoordinationbetweengovernmentauthorities

Newpartnershipsbetweengovernmentauthorities

Increasedcoordinationbetweenkeystakeholders

Newpartnershipsbetweenkeystakeholders

NationalLevel ProvincialLevel LocalLevel

67%

50%

45%

43%

22%

38%

36%

34%

11%

12%

18%

23%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Increasedcoordinationbetweengovernmentauthorities

Newpartnershipsbetweengovernmentauthorities

Increasedcoordinationbetweenkeystakeholders

Newpartnershipsbetweenkeystakeholders

NationalLevel ProvincialLevel LocalLevel



27

Figure 9: Survey Results on Coordination and Partnerships


3.6.9. Data, Monitoring and Communication

Goal 11: Monitoring and Communication System to enable stakeholders to follow up on results and provide feedback on policy decisions.

Goal 12: To improve education (demography & sociology), research and relevant data availability .

At the global level, the evaluation found Armenia has provided data to other international dataaggregationplatformsworkingonpopulationageing,suchasHelpAgeInternational,whichprovidesglobalageingdata.56

Attheregional level,asamemberoftheUNECEWorkingGrouponAgeing,Armeniaisresponsibleforpreparingandreportingontheirfollow-uptoMIPPAA/RIS intheircountry.ThenationalreportsareacorecomponentofthereviewandappraisalcyclesforMIPAA/RIS.Inlargepart,theinformationcontainedinthenationalreportswouldhavebeenusefultoprovidebaselinedataforthisevaluationtodemonstratetheprogressmade,however,thedatacontainedinthereportsforthefirsttwocyclesarelimitedandattimesoutdated.

Atthenationallevel,theInter-agencyCommitteeonAgeingpreparesanannualreportforthePrimeMinister that reflects the activities of the group. The evaluation could not assess the quality or______________________________________________________

56 HelpAgeInternational:GlobalAgeingIndex.http://www.helpage.org/global-agewatch/population-ageing-data/global-rankings-table/

70%4%

26%

New partnerships among government authorities?

Yes

No

Notsure

78%

0%

22%

Increased coordination between key stakeholders?

Yes

No

Notsure

83%

0%17%

New partnerships between key stakeholders?

Yes

No

Notsure

70%4%

26%

Increased coordination between government authorities?

Yes

No

Notsure


28

the follow-upof these reports as theywerenot available for review.According to the survey, themajorityofrespondentswerenotsure(73.9percent)iftherewerearrangementsinplacetomonitortheimplementationoftheActionPlan; lessthanathirdofrespondentsconfirmedthattherewerearrangementsinplace.TheevaluationcouldnotfindrecordsofmonitoringreportsorreportingofanysortfortheimplementationoftheRoadMap.

TheGovernmenthas adedicatedentity, theNational Statistical Service, thatprovidesquantitativeinformationonsocialandeconomicdevelopment,demographics,health,andenvironment.Insomereports,dataisdisaggregatedbyagegroup.ThemostrecentandkeypublicationsaretypicallyavailableinArmenian,Russian,andEnglishandaresharedpublicly.Theevaluationhoweverfoundnodataonstrengthening theeducationofnationaldemographersandbuildinga labourmarket thatprovidesincentivesfortheircareerdevelopment.

29

4. CONCLUSIONS

4.1. Management-relatedConclusion 1: Integration of ageing varies across areas of work of the national strategic framework

While there was much momentum and support for the RoadMap at its inception, progress hassomewhatstalledastheprioritizationofageingatthenationallevelwasnotconsistentlyprominentinallareasofthenationalstrategicframework.Theintegrationoftheissuesofolderpersonsintotheareasworkofeachministrywasmixed-wheresomeentitieswereabletomainstreamtheiractivitiesinameaningfulwaywhileotherswereunawareofthegoalsoftheRoadMapornot interested inadvancingthegoals.Therecognitionthatageingcutsacrossallsectorsispresent,howeverthelevelof commitment andmarked efforts to address related issues varies among governmental entities.Notably,therewaseffectiveleadershipbythestateintheoperationalintegrationofolderpersonsintoculturallife.Moreover,non-stateactorsmadepositivegainsinenhancingthequalityoflifeandsocialintegrationofolderpersons.

Conclusion 2: Weak linkages between national vision and local implementation

Amongstakeholders, therewasageneralagreement that theRoadMapwascomprehensive in itsguidanceandclearintherolesandresponsibilitiesofimplementingpartners.Evenso,itwasperceivedthat there was a weak link between the strategic direction at the national level to the activitiesimplementedattheregionalandprovinciallevels.Keyinformantspointedtoamyriadoffactorsthatmayhavecontributed to thevariationpresent in local implementationacrossprovinces, including:remoteness of the region, age composition of the community, financial and human capacities orresourcesavailable,proximitytoborderareas,leadershipandmotivationoflocalgovernmentbodies,levelofactivenessofNGOsand local implementingpartners, andunderlying culturalbarriers. Theevaluationconcludedthattheinfrastructureforcollaborationisweakbothbetweennationalandlocalauthoritiesandatthelocallevelbetweenlocalmunicipalities.

Conclusion 3: Partnerships and coordination have strengthened during the course of implementation

GiventheinterconnectednessoftheRoadMap,wheremanyactivitiescutacrossseveralareasofwork,theopportunitiesforcollaborationexist.Coordinationisevidentamongawiderangeofstakeholdersbothinternallyandexternally,buttovaryingdegrees.TheGovernmenthasplayedanimportantroleinthecoordinationoftheimplementationoftheRoadMap,wherethecreationofanInter-agencyCommitteeonAgeinghasfacilitatedthecontinuedengagementofkeystakeholdersintheRoadMap’simplementation.WhiletheCommitteeconvenesregularlythroughouttheyear,coordinationbeyondcommitteemeetingsvaries,andithashadmixedsuccesstobrokerjointactivitiesamonggovernmentministries,developmentpartners,andcivilsocietyactors.Amongnon-stateactors,therehavebeenrecentadvancestowardsastrongerallianceandmorestrategiccoordinationwiththeestablishmentofaformalnetworkofNGOsworkingspecificallyonageingissues.Non-stateactors,particularlyatthelocallevel,playacriticalroleinservicedeliveryandhaveawealthofexpertiseandknowledgeofwhatworksandwhatdoesn’tworkintheirlocalities.Whilenon-stateactorsdidacknowledgeagoodworkingrelationshipwiththeGovernment,theevaluationfoundmissedopportunitiesforcollaborativestate-fundedorcost-sharedactivities.

Conclusion 4: Limited documentation and sharing of results and learning

The evaluation found that therewas limited systematic documentationof key aspects of effectiveimplementation especially at local level. Specifically, there was limited reliable evidence: (i) todemonstrate the effect of different approaches and interventions on service quality, equity and


30

access;and(ii)tovalidateandcommunicategoodpracticesoftheRoadMap.Whilestakeholdersmaybeawareoftheirownresultsachieved,thereisalowdegreeofsharingofexperiencesandlessonslearnedacrossgroups.Consequently,theexistingmonitoringsystemsthattrackRoadMapresultsaswellasthemodalitiesonhowresultsarecommunicatedandsharedhamperimplementationlearning,transparencyandaccountabilityamongpartners.

4.2. Programme-relatedConclusion 5: Positive gains in the integration of older persons into social and cultural life

There has beenmuch progress towards efforts in the integration of older persons into social andcultural life.Keytoensuretheinclusionofolderpersonsinsocial life iscreatingenvironmentsthataremore“age-friendly”.TakingYerevanmunicipalityasanexample,ithastakenupgoodpracticestoadaptitsstructuresandservicestobeaccessibletoandinclusiveofolderpeoplewithvaryingneeds.WhileYerevan isnotrepresentativeofall thecitieswithinthedifferentprovinces, itsefforts inthisregardshouldberegardedasgoodpracticetobesharedattheregionalandprovinciallevels.Inalikemanner,theMinistryofCulturehastakengreatstridesinaddressingageingandmainstreamingtheissuesofolderpersonsintoitscoreactivities.Inmanyways,theMinistryhasinstitutedinitiativesthatcanbetakenforwardbysisterministriesorotherimplementingpartners.Oneexampleofthisisitsinnovativemeasurestoprovideservicestoolderpersonswithlimitedmobility(e.g.mobileexhibitionsandpartneringwithNGOstoprovidetransportationtoculturalsites).

Conclusion 6: Challenges in the access to affordable and quality health care

FundingcontinuestobethemainchallengeintheprovisionofaffordableandqualityhealthcareforolderpersonsinArmenia.Thereareprovisionsforout-patientservices,dentalcare,andmentalhealthservicesforolderpersonsatnocost,butthisisnotextendedtothein-patientlevel.However,olderpersonswhofallunderoneofthegovernment-defined“sociallyvulnerablygroups”mayqualifyforfreein-patientservices.Healthcarespecifictoservingtheneedsofolderpersonsiswidening,yetstilllimited.Whilespecialists ingeriatric/gerontologyarepresent insomehealthfacilities, theyarenotpresentinallmedicalcentersthroughoutthecountry.Therehavebeensomeattemptsinprovidingpalliativecare,butlimitedfundingisanongoingchallenge.Towidentheaccesstohealthcareservicesforolderpersons,therehavebeendiscussionstodeploymobilehealthunitstoreacholderpersonsliving in remoteor rural communitiesandborderareas,yet there isnoevidenceof furthereffortsbeyondthesediscussions.Qualityofservicedeliveryisunclear.

Conclusion 7: Comprehensive package of services available in institutional care, but quality varies and access is limited

AnintegralpartofthesocialprotectionsystemforolderpersonsinArmeniaisinstitutionalcare,whichincludesboardinghouses,adultdaycenters,andhome-basedcareservicestosupportindependentliving.Thesefacilitiesarelocatedprimarilyinurbancentersandthuscoveronlyafractionofthetotalolderpopulation.Thereareseveralstate-runandprivateinstitutionsthroughoutthecountry,butthesefacilitiesarelargelyconcentratedinthecapitalleavingpopulationsnearborderareas,andremoteandruralcommunitiestoeitherrelocateorbeexcludedfromthesebenefits.Whiletheappropriatemixandcapacity(expertiseandtechnicalcapacity)ofstaffisevidentinthesefacilities,thelimitednumberofstaffperolderpersoninthesefacilitiesisaninherentrisktolowerstandardsandqualityofcare.Notsurprisingly,therehavebeenmixedresponsesonstandardsofcare.Whilethestate-runfacilitiesreportedthattheyadheredtospecificstandardsonquality,thefacilitiesoperatedbynon-stateactorsreportedtheyoftenadheretodifferentstandards(dependentonthedonorfundingtheinitiative).Todate,whiledevelopingnationalstandardsonqualitycarehasbeendiscussed,follow-upactioninthisregardisstillpending.


31

Conclusion 8: Limitations to social protection and need for pension reform

InArmenia,pensionsarefundamentaltoensuringincomesecurityandthewell-beingofolderpersons.Notably,thecountryhasreacheduniversalpensioncoverageforolderpersons,yetpensionlevelsfallsignificantlybelowaverageincomesinArmenia.Withintheregion,itonlyamountstoabouthalfoftheaveragepensionlevelsamongneighboringcountries.Overtheperiodthatwasevaluated,therehavebeensmallpercentageincreases(7-8percent)inpensions,yetthepalpableeffectshavebeenminimal.Giventheeconomicrealitiesofthecountryandincreasedlivingcosts,pensionsareinsufficienttomeetminimumsubsistencelevels.Non-stateactorshaveworkedtofillinthesegapsthroughcentersthatprovidefreesocialservices,legalaid,andfreemeals.TheGovernmenthasprioritizedpensionreformtooffermoresocialandeconomicprotectionsandpromoteincomesecurity,however,aresolutionhasstillnotbeenreached.Moreover,theshareofworkerscontributingtothepensionsystemrelativetopensionersreceivingbenefits(andthosethatwillreceivebenefitsinthenearfuture),remainsakeyhurdletothefiscalstabilityandsustainabilityofthecurrentsystem.

Conclusion 9: Opportunities for demand creation and awareness raising

Someministrieshavemadesignificanteffortstoraisetheissuesofageingatthenationallevel,howeverwhetherornotthistranslatestothelocallevelisunclear.Despiteengagementwithcommunitylevelorganizations, there are limited efforts toward demand creation of specific services, in particularlifelong learning initiativesand care services forolderpersons suchas assisted living andday-careservicesaswellasboardinghomecare.ThelackofawarenessonthebenefitoftheseservicespairedwiththeculturalstigmaattachedtosomeoftheseservicesposesignificantchallengestoadvancethegoalsoftheRoadMap.

Conclusion 10: Barriers to labour force participation

Againstthebackdropofthefinancialcrisisandausteritymeasures,olderpersonsareincreasinglybeingrecognizedandvaluedasaproductiveeconomicresource.Armeniaisnoexceptionandgivenitslowpensionlevels,theneedforsupplementalincomeduringretirementisinevitable.Theevaluationfoundthatlimitedeffortshavebeenmadetoharnesstheeconomicpotentialofolderpersonsandintegratethemintoworking lifepast65.Additionally,thereareseveralbarriersthat impedeparticipationbyolderpersonsinthelabourforce,includingaperceptionthatpensionersdonotwanttowork.Otherchallenges include aworkforce biased towards youngerworkers andmodern technologies aswellasthelackoftrainingorskillsprogrammesavailabletoenhancetheemployabilityofolderpersons,reinforcingthegrowingstructuralunemployment.Therewasnoevidenceonfutureeffortstowardskilldevelopmentorbetterskillmatchingforolderworkers,ratherthepriorityseemstobemoreplacedontheyoungerworkforce.

Conclusion 11: Limited support for multigenerational households

Inmanypartsof theworld, largely indevelopingcountries, themajorityofolderpersons livewiththeir children inmultigenerationalhouseholds -Armenia included.Where informal carecannotbereplacedbyformalcare,itshouldbecomplementaryandassurelevelofquality.This,however,placesasignificantburdenoninformalcaregivers(varyingfromemotional,physicalandfinancialstresses)thatcanthreatentheirownhealthandwell-being.ThecurrenteconomicsituationinArmeniadoesnotprovideforsufficientsupportformultigenerationalhouseholds,wheremanyarelivingsolelyoffthepensionsof theirolder familymembers. Asa result,many families in these situations cannotensurethattheirolderfamilymembersareprovidedappropriateandqualitycare.

33

RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommendation 1

TheInter-agencyCommitteeonAgeingshouldseizetheopportunitytomainstreamageingacrossallthematicareasof itswork,particularly in viewof its upcomingdevelopmentplans for 2016-2025.In the context of the national plans, it should review opportunities to link ageing initiatives withtheworkofeachministry.Thismayfurthersecure(andincrease)financialresourcesforRoadMapimplementation activities, and moreover, mobilize partners to recommit their efforts to not onlyadvance,butacceleratetheachievementofthegoalsoftheRoadMap.Giventhe limitedfinancialresourcesforimplementation,theInter-agencyCommitteeonAgeingshouldconsidertargetingpriorityareasforaction,inparticularthosethataddressthechallengesandimplementationgapsidentifiedinthisevaluation.Tothiseffect,UNECEshouldprovideoperationalguidancetoensurethatproposedactionsandinitiativesaremeaningfulandmovebeyondsocialassistanceprogrammes.Wherepossible,accountabilitymechanisms shouldbeestablishedwithinministries so that a certainpercentageoftheirbudgetisdedicatedtoissuessurroundingageingandolderpersons.Moreover,thereshouldalsobemonitoringmechanismsthattracktheeffectofmainstreamingageing,particularlyonimprovingserviceaccessandqualityaswellasservicedemandanduptake.

Recommendation 2

GiventheglobalfinancialclimateandtheeconomicrealitiesinArmenia,theInter-agencyCommitteeonAgeingshouldidentifypriorityareasforactionforthenextphaseofimplementationoftheRoadMap.Whilecomprehensive,thescopeofactivitiesoftheRoadMapisfar-reaching,andultimatelynotfeasible,giventhefinancialandhumanresourcesavailableforRoadMapimplementation.Whilecost-effectivemeasurescouldhelpadvancetowardthesegoals,thescarcityofavailablefundingfortheseactivitieshasresultedinslowandscatteredprogress.Amoreconcentratedeffortonpriorityactions,pairedwithsufficientallocatedfunding for implementation,couldharnessthesuccessesaswellasaddressthegapsinimplementationfoundinthisevaluation.

Recommendation 3

The Inter-agencyCommitteeonAgeingshould increase theirengagementwithprovincialand localauthorities responsible for the implementationof theRoadMap. This is particularly important forprovincesthatarelargelycomposedofruralcommunitiesandvillagesettlements,whichoftenhavedifferentneedsandprioritiesthanthepredominantlyurbancommunitiesofYerevan.Tothispoint,theRoadMap shouldbeflexible in its implementation toappropriately respond to theneedsandcontextofeachcommunity.Moreover,thereshouldbestrongereffortsthatstrengthenthecapacityofprovincialand localmunicipalitiesto improveimplementationaswellasthedocumentationandreportingofeffortstowardRoadMapgoals.Thisincludesidentifyinganddocumentinglessonslearnedandgoodpractice,conductingperiodic surveysorquestionnaires,andestablishing systematicdatacollectiononresults.Moreover,representativesfromtheprovincesandlocallevelsshouldregularlyparticipateintheInter-agencyCommitteemeetingsonageing,andwhereappropriate,travelsupporttoYerevanshouldbeprovided forbytheGovernment. Inaddition, thereshouldbemoreeffectivemechanisms established to increase communication and enhance coordination among and acrosslevelsofimplementation.

Recommendation 4

TheInter-agencyCommitteeonAgeingshouldoptimizethecomparativeadvantageofnon-stateactors,given that they are better placed to implement activities at the local level given their knowledge,experience,relationship,reputation,andreachinthesecommunities.Thisrequiresstrengtheningthe


34

infrastructureforcollaborationbothbetweennational,provincialandlocalauthoritiesaswellasatthelocallevelbetweenmunicipalities.Partnershipsshouldbereviewedperiodicallywithinandacrossorganizationstoseewhatpotentialopportunitiesmayhavebeenoverlooked.Tothisend,implementingpartnersshouldtakestockof theirstrengthsandareasofexpertiseto identifywhichorganizationsmaybebetterplacedintakingtheleadintheimplementationofspecificareasoftheRoadMap.Inaddition,theCommitteeshouldexplorecollaborativestate-fundedorcost-sharedactivitiesbetweengovernmentalandnon-stateactors.

Recommendation 5

TheInter-agencyCommitteeonAgeingshouldreviewandredesignexistingmonitoringstructuresonageingtoensurethatdataissystematicallycollected,documented,andshared.Thiseffortshouldbeatalllevels–national,provincial,local–andthereforeincluderelevantactorsfromeachlevel.Thereshouldalsobesomeagreement,andmoreoverclearunderstanding,amongstallrelevantstakeholderson common monitoring indicators so that panel data can be collected and compared over time.Ideally, the creationof amore robustmonitoring and evaluation system should help demonstratethecontributionsofdifferentapproachesandinterventionsonservicequality,equityandaccessaswellasvalidateandcommunicategoodpracticeintheimplementationoftheRoadMap.Moreover,asystematicandregularcollectionofdatawouldenablefutureevaluativeexerciseandcontinuetopromoteacultureoflearningandaccountability.

A N N E X E S

37

ANNEX 1

TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE EVALUATION

EVALUATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ROAD MAP FOR MAINSTREAMING AGEING IN ARMENIA

TERMS OF REFERENCE

1. Background and ContextArmeniawasthefirstcountrytoparticipateinthepreparationofaUNECERoadMapforMainstreamingAgeing.Theprojectwasundertakenin2009-2010andtheresultingfinalreportpublishedinMay2011.ThegoalsandobjectivesoftheRoadMapwereoutlinedinaStrategyanddetailsonspecificactionstoachievethesegoalswerepresentedinanaccompanyingActionPlan.InAugust2012,theActionPlanwasformallyadoptedbytheGovernmentofArmenia.TheActionPlanenvisionedanevaluationduringtheimplementationoftheRoadMaptomeasureprogress.Tothiseffect,theActionPlandevelopedspecificmonitoringandevaluationindicatorstoenableasystematicreviewofitsimplementation,andallowforremedialactiontotakeplace,ifneeded.

Thisevaluationcomesatanopportunetime tobeable to inform thepreparation for thenationalreportsforthethirdreviewandappraisalcycleoftheimplementationoftheMadridInternationalPlanofActiononAgeinganditsRegionalImplementationStrategy(MIPAA/RIS).ThisdocumentservesastheTermsofReferencefortheevaluation,providingdetailsonthepurposeandscope,themethodologicalapproachaswellasoperationalmodalities for theexercise.Theevaluation teamwill consistofanevaluationconsultant(s)whowillworkunderthesupportandguidanceofUNECE.Theevaluationwillbeparticipatoryand isexpected toconsultwithall relevant stakeholders,particularly theWorkingGrouponAgeing,ineachstepoftheevaluationprocess.

2. Purpose and Objectives of EvaluationThe purpose of the evaluation is to enhance the learning and accountability of the organization,governmentalcounterparts,andotherrelevantstockholdersontheimplementationofArmenia’sRoadMapforMainstreamingAgeing.Theevidence-basedfindingsandrecommendationsgeneratedbytheevaluationwillbeusedtoinformthepreparationofArmenia’snationalreportonimplementationofMIPAA/RISforthethirdcycleofreviewandappraisal.

Theprincipalobjectivesoftheevaluationare:a. toidentifythemainareasinwhichrecommendationsandplannedactionshavebeenachieved,

andwheresuccessfulimplementationisongoing;b. to identify the main areas in which recommendations and planned actions have not been

achieved,eitherasaresultoflimitedsuccessinactionsundertaken,orbecausenoactionhasbeenundertaken;

c. to identifyandunderstand the reasons for the successes, setbacksandareas lackingactivityidentifiedinpointsaandb;and

d. todistillessonslearnedfromtheaboveinordertomakefurtherprogressinimplementation.


38

3. Scope of EvaluationRatherthanrevieweachrecommendationindividually,57theevaluationwillconsiderthetwelvegoalsidentifiedintheRoadMap,withspecificattentiontothegoalsprioritizedbyArmenianstakeholders.Itwilllookattheeffortstowardtheachievementofthesegoalsduring2012-2015.

4. Evaluation Criteria and QuestionsThefollowingarekeyevaluationcriteriaalongwithevaluationquestionstobeansweredinthisexercise:

Relevance:DoestheRoadMapdirectlyaddressthechallengesposedbythedemographicchangesinArmenia?

Equity: Does the RoadMap address inequities in the distribution of burdens and benefits acrosspopulationgroups?

Efficiency:WastheprogressinthegoalsofthestrategyoftheRoadMapmadeinatimelyandcost-effectivemanner?

Effectiveness:TowhatextentwerethegoalsofthestrategyoftheRoadMapachieved?Whatwerethekeychallengestotheachievementofthesegoals?

Political feasibility:TowhatextentdogovernmentalpartnersacceptandsupporttheRoadMap?

Administrative feasibility: Do government institutions and/or public service providers have thecapacity(e.g.technicalorfinancial/humanresources)toimplementthegoalsoftheRoadMap?

Partnerships and coordination:HastheRoadMapfacilitatedincreasedcoordinationorpartnershipsbetweenArmenianministriesandotherkeystakeholdersatthenational,provincialandlocallevels?

5. Evaluation MethodologyTheproposedmethodologyisbasedontheinitialscopingofrelevantdocuments,aswellastheinitialassessmentof the resourcesand thedataavailable to support theevaluation. Theevaluationwillutilizeamixed-methodapproachconsistingofbothquantitativeandqualitativetechniquestofurthertriangulatethedataandassureitsvalidity.

Theproposedmethodsoftheevaluationinclude:a. Deskreview;b. Fieldmissionvisitingthesitesofrepresentativeprojectsorinstitutionsrelevanttoolderpersons

inArmenia,asidentifiedinconsultationwithlocalpartners;c. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with key informants that include a

representativesampleofkeystakeholders;andd. Surveyquestionnaire.

Theinterviews,focusgroupdiscussionsandsurveyquestionnairewillservetocollectinformationonthenatureandextentofeffortstowardtheachievementofeachgoal,anychallengesorunintendedconsequences, good practices and lessons learnt, and suggestions on how to enhance futureimplementation.

______________________________________________________

57 Thereare62individualrecommendationsintheRoadMap,and141actionsindentifiedinthePlanofAction


39

Datasourcestobeconsideredinthisevaluationinclude:relevantdocumentationsuchas,theRoadMapforMainstreamingAgeinginArmeniaandthePlanofActionadoptedbytheArmenianGovernment,theMadridInternationalPlanofActiononAgeinganditsRegionalImplementationStrategy,the2012ViennaMinisterial Declaration onAgeing, and the guidelines for the national reports on the thirdreviewandappraisalofMIPAA/RIS.Inaddition,otherrelevantprimaryandsecondarysourceswillbereviewedtotriangulatethesesources.Awiderangeofkeystakeholderswillalsobeconsultedintheevaluationtocollectqualitativedata.Theseinclude,butarenotlimitedto,Armeniangovernmentalcounterparts,ArmenianNationalFocalPointsonAgeing, localpartners,WorkingGrouponAgeing,relevantUNECEprogrammestaff,andotherrelevantparties.

6. Evaluation Timeframe and DeliverablesThedeadlineforthepreparationofnationalreportsonMIPAA/RISimplementationisOctober2016.Inordertoinformthisexercise,thisevaluationprocessisscheduledtobecompletedbyMay/June2016.

Phase1:PreparationandPlanning(August-November2015)

UNECEwilldraftaconceptnotefortheevaluation. Moreover,UNECEwillcoordinatetheselectionand recruitment of the external evaluation consultant(s). Once the recruitment of the evaluationconsultant(s)isfinalized,he/shewillconductarapiddeskreviewofrelevantdocumentstodevelopatermsofreferenceoftheevaluation.

UponapprovaloftermsofreferencebytheWorkingGroup,theevaluationteamwillmoveforwardwithanInceptionReport,whichshouldincludethefinalizationoftheevaluationtools,theidentificationofkeystakeholderstoparticipateintheexercise,andpresentationofanypreliminaryfindingsbasedonthedatacollectedthusfar. Inparallel,consultationsonthelogisticalplanningforthefieldmissionshould begin among UNECE, the Armenian National Focal Point, AgeingWorking Group and localpartners.

Phase2:DataCollectionandFieldMission(January-April2016)

Theevaluationconsultant(s)willpilotthetoolsinternallywithUNECE,anduponapproval,disseminatethesurveytorelevantstakeholders.ThequestionnairewillbesenttotheArmenianNationalFocalPoint on ageingwith a request for it to be completed collaborativelywith theMinistry of LabourandSocialIssues.Selectedpartsofthequestionnairewillbesenttootherstakeholders,principallythoseconsultedinthepreparationoftheRoadMapforMainstreamingAgeinginArmenia.ANationalWorkingGroupmaybeestablishedtooverseethisportionoftheexercise.

UNECE,theevaluationconsultant(s),representativesoftheWorkingGrouponAgeing,58willundertakeafive-dayfieldmissiontoArmenia.Themissionwillentailfieldresearchintheformofsemi-structuredinterviewsandfocusgroupdiscussionswithkeystakeholders.Visitswillalsobearrangedtothesitesofrepresentativeprojectsand/orinstitutionsrelevanttoolderpersonsinArmenia.In-countryteamsareexpectedtoprovidesupporttothefieldresearchthroughtheidentificationofkeystakeholdersandsitesaswellastheprovisionofadditionalrelevantdocuments.Theevaluationconsultant(s)willprepareabriefof thepreliminaryfindingsandconclusions tobepresentedat theendof thefieldmission.

Phase3:DataAnalysisandReportDrafting(April-May2016)

Aninitialanalysisandsynthesisofthesurveyresponseswillbeundertakentoidentifykeytrendsandlearningsfromthequestionnaire.Dataanalysiswillalsoincludethedatacollectedinthedeskreview

______________________________________________________

58 Representatives of theWorkingGroup should includeNational Focal Points from countrieswishing to provide support to thework programme,preferablywithdifferentsubstantivebackgroundse.g.health,socialservices,etc.


40

and inceptionreport.AdraftreportwillbecirculatedtoUNECEandtheWorkingGrouponAgeingforreview,inputsandfinalclearanceforpublication.UNECEmayprovideamanagementresponseifdeemedappropriate.ThefinalreportwillbetranslatedintoArmenian.

Phase4:DisseminationandFollow-up(May–June2016)

Oncefinalized,UNECEwilldisseminatethereporttoallrelevantstakeholders,internallyandexternally.Therewillbeafollow-uptherecommendationsoftheevaluationreportwithregardtoagreedactionsmovingforward.Specifically,theGovernmentofArmeniawillbestronglyencouragedtotakeownershipofthefollow-uptotherecommendationsoftheevaluation.

Thefollowingisasummaryofthekeydeliverablesoftheevaluation:

Date DeliverableAugust2015 FinalizationofConceptNoteofEvaluation

IdentificationandRecruitmentofConsultant(evaluationpreparation)November2015 FinalizationofEvaluationTermsofReferenceDecember2015 FinalizationofInceptionReport(includingfinalmethodologyandtools)

IdentificationofKeyStakeholdersJanuary2016 DisseminationofSurveyQuestionnaireFebruary2016 IdentificationandRecruitmentofConsultant(datacollectionandanalysis)

FinalizationofScheduleofActivitiesforFieldMissionApril2016 FieldMission

PresentationofPreliminaryFindingsandConclusionsFinalizationofDraftEvaluationReport

May-June2016 FinalizationandDisseminationofEvaluationReportFollow-uptoRecommendationsofEvaluationReport

7. Management ArrangementsTheevaluationconsultant(s)willreporttoUNECE,whowillmanagetheevaluationprocessandprovidelogisticalsupportworkinginconsultationwiththeWorkingGrouponAgeing.

The evaluation consultant(s) must not have been involved in the design and/or implementation,supervision and coordination of and/or have benefited from the policy under evaluation. TheconsultantsarecontractedbyUNECE.ThequalificationsandresponsibilitiesforeachteammemberarespecifiedintherespectivejobdescriptionsattachedtotheseTermsofReference.

41

ANNEX 2

LIST OF DOCUMENTS CONSULTED

AsianDevelopmentBank(2012):SocialProtectionforOlderPersons.

Azattyun: Armenia Pension Reform Delayed Further, 5 May 2016. http://www.azatutyun.am/a/27717766.html.

Bloom,David,Canning,DavidandGuntherFink(2011):ImplicationsofPopulationAgingonEconomicGrowth.

Europe XXI Foundation (2013): Lifelong Learning Policy and Practice in the Republic of Armenia:BaselineAnalysis.

Help Age International: Global AgeWatch Indexes 2013 and 2015. http://www.helpage.org/global-agewatch/population-ageing-data/global-rankings-table/.

Help Age International: Social Pension Database. http://www.pension-watch.net/about-social-pensions/about-social-pensions/social-pensions-database/.

HumanRightsWatch(2015):CancerandStruggleforPalliativeCareinArmenia.

ILO(2012):DecentWorkCountryProfile:Armenia.

OECD(2016):PublicSpendingonEducation.https://data.oecd.org/eduresource/public-spending-on-education.htm.

RepublicofArmenia,NationalStatisticalService(2015):ArmeniainFigures2015.

RepublicofArmenia,NationalStatisticalService(2015):SocialSnapshotandPovertyinArmenia.

RepublicofArmeniaNationalStatisticalService(2015):TheDemographicHandbookofArmenia.

RepublicofArmenia,MinistryofEducationandScience(2014):EducationforAll2015NationalReviewReport:Armenia.

RepublicofArmenia,MinistryofLabourandSocialIssues(2012and2007):ReportsonNationalFollow-uptoMIPAA/RIS,2012and2007.

RepublicofArmenia(2009):StrategyoftheDemographicPolicyoftheRepublicofArmenia.

RepublicofArmenia:ConstitutionoftheRepublicofArmenia:Article38.

RepublicofArmenia:GovernmentProgramme2008-2012.

RepublicofArmenia:SecondActionPlanoftheRepublicofArmenia2014-2016.

RepublicofArmenia:StrategyandActionPlanonGender2011-2015.

RepublicofArmenia:DecreeoftheGovernmentoftheRAN1069(10September2015).

RepublicofArmenia:DecreeoftheGovernmentoftheRAN952(4September2014).

RepublicofArmenia:DecreeoftheGovernmentoftheRAN17(2May2013).

RepublicofArmenia:DecreeoftheGovernmentoftheRAN318(4March2004).

Richardson,Erica(2013):Armenia–HealthSystemReview,HealthSystemsinTransition,vol.15,no.4.

Sung, Kyu-Taik and Bum Jung Kim (2009): Respect for the Elderly: Implications for Human ServiceProviders.


42

Tonoyan,TamaraandLusineMuradyan(2012):HealthInequalitiesinArmenia,InternationalJournalonEquityHealth,vol.11,no.32.

TradingEconomics:ArmeniaUnemploymentRate1998-2016.www.tradingeconomics.com.

UnitedNations(2002):Madrid InternationalPlanofActiononAgeing,ReportoftheSecondWorldAssemblyonAgeing,Madrid8-12April2002.A/CONF.197/9.

UN DESA, Population Division (2015): Profiles of Ageing 2015. https://esa.un.org/unpd/popdev/Profilesofageing2015/index.html.

UNDESA,PopulationDivision(2013):WorldPopulationAgeing2013.ST/ESA/SER.A/348.

UNDESA,PopulationDivision(2002):WorldPopulationAgeing:1950-2050.http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/worldageing19502050/pdf/036armen.pdf.

UNDESA,PopulationDivision:WorldPopulationPoliciesDatabase,2011and2013.

UNDP(2015):HumanDevelopmentReport2015.http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/ARM.

UNECE (2015): Preparation of National Reports for the Third Review and Appraisal Cycle of theImplementationofMIPAA/RIS2012-2017.GuidelinesforNationalFocalPointsonAgeing.

UNECE(2015):InnovativeandEmpoweringStrategiesforCare,PolicyBriefNo.15.

UNECE(2012):RoadMapforMainstreamingAgeinginArmeniaandPlanofAction.ECE/WG.1/12.

UNECE(2012):2012ViennaMinisterialDeclaration.ECE/AC.30/2012/3.

UNECE(2002):RegionalImplementationStrategyfortheMadridInternationalPlanofActiononAgeing.ECE/AC.23/2002/2/Rev.6.

UNESCO,InstituteforStatisticsData:CountryProfileArmenia.http://www.uis.unesco.org/DataCentre/Pages/country-profile.aspx?code=ARM&regioncode=40505.

UNFPA:2013Conference“DemographicChallengesinArmenia”organizedbyRAMinistryofLabourandSocialIssuesandUNFPAArmeniaCountryOffice.

UNFPA(2010):EmergingPopulationIssuesinEasternEuropeandCentralAsia,ResearchGapsinUNFPAAgeinginthe21stCentury.

Williams,KristineandSusanKemper(2010).Exploring InterventionstoReduceCognitiveDecline inAgeing,JournalofPsychosocialNursingandMentalHealServices,vol.48,no.5,pp.42–51.

WorldBank(2014):RepublicofArmeniaPublicExpenditureReview:ExpandingtheFiscalEnvelope.

WorldBank(2014):TheInvertingPyramid:PensionSystemsFacingDemographicChallengesinEuropeandCentralAsia.

WorldBank(2014):TheJobsChallengeintheSouthCaucasus–Armenia.http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2014/12/16/the-jobs-challenge-in-the-south-caucasus-armenia.

WorldBank(2012):Armenia–QualityandAffordableHealthCareforAll.

WorldBank(2011):Armenia–DemographicChange.ImplicationsforSocialPolicyandPoverty.

WorldBank:DataBank–Armenia.http://data.worldbank.org/country/armenia.

WorldHealthOrganization(2015):AgeingandHealth,FactSheetNo.404.

WorldHealthOrganization(2015):WorldReportonAgeingandHealth.

WorldHealthOrganization(2013):Armenia–HealthSystemReview.

WorldHealthOrganization(2007):GlobalAge-FriendlyCities:AGuide.

43

ANNEX 3

LIST OF PERSONS CONSULTED

UNECE and Working Group on Ageing

VitalijaGaucaiteWittich,UNECE,ChiefofthePopulationUnit,StatisticalDivision

BirteIfang,UNECE,PopulationUnit,StatisticalDivision

AnnaGralberg,RepresentativeofSwedenintheWorkingGrouponAgeing

AlionaCretu,RepresentativeoftheRepublicofMoldovaintheWorkingGrouponAgeing

Governmental Partners

Anahit Martirosyan, Head of the Department of International Cooperation and DevelopmentProgrammes

JemmaBaghdasaryan,DeputyMinisteroftheMinistryofLabourandSocialAffairs

AnahitGevorgyan,DeputyHeadoftheDepartmentofDisabledandSeniorPeopleAffairs,MinistryofLabourandSocialAffairs

AstghikMiniasyan,HeadoftheSocialAssistanceDepartment,MinistryofLabourandSocialAffairs

ArmanSargsyan,DirectoroftheNationalInstituteofLabourandSocialResearch

ArmineMkhitaryan,HeadofSocialAssistanceDivision,NationalInstituteofLabourandSocialResearch

VahagnHovhannisyan,StateEmploymentAgency

TsaghikVardanyan,HeadoftheMedicalDepartment,MinistryofHealth

Arkady Papoyan, Deputy Head of the Department of Development Programmes and Monitoring,MinistryofEducationandScience

Armine Khachatryan, Deputy Head of the Department of Cultural Programmes and Monitoring,MinistryofCulture

AnnaGevorgyan,MinistryofTerritorialAdministrationandDevelopment

TamaraTorosyan,MinistryofSportandYouth

HasmirAzatyan,SeniorSpecialist,DepartmentofHealthandSocialProtection,YerevanMunicipality

MherBaghdasaryan,DepartmentofHealthandSocialProtection,YerevanMunicipality

GagikMakaryan,PresidentofRepublicanUnionofEmployersofArmenia

LilitAghajanyan,DirectoroftheCenterforHomeCareofAloneDisabledandElderlyPeople,MinistryofLabourandSocialAffairs

MartinZakaryan,DeputyDirectoroftheCenterForHomeCareofAloneDisabledandElderlyPeople,MinistryOfLabourandSocialAffairs

RuzannaBalasanova,SeniorSpecialistoftheDivisionofSocialProgrammes,MinistryofFinance

Implementing Partners

GoharGevorgyan,HeadoftheMedicalService,YerevanN1BoardingHouse

KarenMargaryan,DeputyHeadofNorkElderlyCareHouse


44

HripsimeKirakosyan,DirectorofMissionArmenia

AnnaGrigoyan,ConsultantonSocialWork,MissionArmenia

MeriDavtyan,ConsultantonSocialWork,MissionArmenia

LusineKhachactiyan,ConsultantonSocialWork,MissionArmenia

MargaritHovhanaisyan,ConsultantonSocialWork,MissionArmenia

TigranPetrosyan,ArmenianCaritas

AniMaghakyan,ArmenianCaritas

LusineKocharyan,MedicalProgrammesCoordinator,ArmenianRedCross

VeronikaHunanyan,Directoroftheolderpeople’shome“HomeofHope”inVanadzor

ManushakOhanyan,Directorofthe“Vanadzor’sElderlyHome”Foundation

GarikHayrapetyan,AssistantRepresentative,UNFPAArmeniaCountryOffice

AnnaHovhannisyan,ProjectCoordinator,UNFPAArmeniaCountryOffice

AnnaGyurjyan,UNDP

VardanGevorgyan,SocialProtectionProjectsImplementationSpecialist/Consultant,WorldBank

TatulHakobyan,WHO

45

ANNEX 4

SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

IntroductionThePopulationUnitoftheUnitedNationsEconomicCommissionforEurope(UNECE) isconductinganevaluationontheimplementationofArmenia’sRoadMapforMainstreamingAgeingtoenhancethe learningandaccountabilityof theorganization,governmentalcounterparts,andotherrelevantstockholdersontheimplementation.TheevaluationwillassesstheprogressmadeonthetwelvegoalsidentifiedintheRoadMap,withspecificattentiontothegoalsprioritizedbyArmenianstakeholders,duringtheimplementationperiodfrom2012to2015.

Thepurposeofthissurvey is tocollect informationonthenatureandextentofeffortstowardtheachievementofeachgoal, challengesorunintendedconsequences thatmayhaveemergedduringimplementation, good practices and lessons learned, and suggestions on how to enhance futureimplementation.

Pleasenotethatallresponseswillbekeptstrictlyconfidentialandwillonlybeusedaspartofaggregateddatainthisevaluation.

Weestimate itwill take you20-30minutes to answer the survey. Should youhaveanyquestions,[email protected].

Basic information1. Youcurrentlyworkfor: GovernmentofArmenia InternationalorNon-governmentalOrganization PrivateSector TradeUnion Academic/ResearchInstitution

2. Please describe how your work is related to the implementation of Armenia’s RoadMap forMainstreamingAgeing.

Design and Planning3. Inyouropinion,doestheRoadMapdirectlyaddressthechallengesposedbythedemographic

changesinArmenia? Yes No Notsure

4. DoestheRoadMapaddressinequitiesinthedistributionof:4a.socialbenefits(e.g.socialprotection,continuingeducationprogrammes)acrossallpopulationgroups?

Yes No Notsure

4b. social burdens (e.g. increased taxes, redistributionof public spending) across all populationgroups?

Yes No Notsure


46

5. WastheresufficientplanningfortheimplementationoftheRoadMap? Yes No Notsure

6. DoestheRoadMapclearlyidentifythekeyimplementationsteps? Yes No Notsure

7. AretheresponsibilitiesofdifferentinstitutionsandorganizationsthatimplementtheRoadMapclearlydefined?

Yes No Notsure

7a.Ifno,pleasedescribewhatisunclear:

Resources and Capacity 8. Dotheentitiesresponsibleforimplementation(e.g.governmentinstitutions,publicservice

providers,NGOs,localpartners)havesufficienthumanresources? Yes No Notsure

8a.Ifno,pleaseprovideexamplesofwherehumanresourcesislacking:

9. Dotheentitiesresponsibleforimplementation(e.g.governmentinstitutions,publicserviceproviders,NGOs,localpartners)havetheexpertise/technicalcapacitytodoso?

Yes No Notsure

9a.Ifno,pleaseprovideexamplesofwheretechnicalcapacityislacking:

10. WhichstatementbestdescribesthefundingavailabletoimplementthegoalsoftheRoadMap? Thereisnotenoughfunding Fundingissufficient Thereistoomuchfunding Notsure

10a.Ifthereisnotenoughfunding,pleasespecifiyareaswherethefundingisnotsufficient:

11. Fromtheperiodof2012to2015,weretheactivitiestowardimplementationcost-effective? Yes No Notsure

11a.Ifno,pleasedescribekeychallengestothecost-effectivenessofimplementation:

12. Fromtheperiodof2012to2015,weretheactivitiestowardsimplementationcompletedinatimelymanner?

Yes No Notsure

12a.Ifno,pleasedescribekeychallengestothetimelinessofimplementation:

Implementation 13. Duringtheimplementationperiodfrom2012to2015,pleaseassesstheprogressofeachofthe

goalsoftheRoadMap,where0%=noprogressand100%=goalfullyachieved.


47

Goal Description 0% Under50% 50% Over

50% 100%

1 Tomainstreamageingandtopursueinternationally-agreedpolicyprinciples.

2 Toensurefullparticipationandintegrationofolderpersonsinsociety.

3Toachievehighqualityoflifeatallages,enhancetheabilityofolderpersonstoliveindependently,enhancehealthandwell-being

4

Toensureaminimumsocialprotectionlevelatpov-ertythresholdtoallinneed,includingthosewhocannolongerearntheirownincomeduetooldageandrelateddisability.

5

Todevelopandimplementeconomicstrategieswiththeaimofsustainableeconomicgrowthandde-velopment,whilecontrollingnegativesocialconse-quencesofthetransitionandtheglobaleconomiccrisiswithdueregardtotheimplicationsofdemo-graphicageing.

6

Toreduceobstaclesandincreaseoptionsforolderpersonstobeeconomicallyactivebothwhenap-proachingretirementandbeyondretirementageshouldtheywishtodoso.

7 Toincreaseoverallcapacitiesandtraininglevelsamongthepopulationinallagegroups.

8 Toensuregenderequalityinallaspectsofnationallife,increasepublicawareness.

9 Topromoteandsupportcohesionandsolidaritywithinandbetweengenerations.

10Toencouragepartnershipsbetweenallstakeholdersonalllevelstoaddressthechallengesoftheageingsociety.

11MonitoringandCommunicationSystem:toenablestakeholderstofollowuponresultsandprovidefeedbackonpolicydecisions.

12 Toimproveeducation(demography&sociology),researchandrelevantdataavailability

14. Pleaseidentifyandrankthethreegoalsthatyouconsidermostimportant,where1=mostimportant.

Goal Rank


48

15. WerethegoalsimplementedaccordingtothestrategyoftheRoadMap? Yes No Notsure

16. Werethegoalsimplementedconsistentlyacrosscommunities? Yes No Notsure

16a.Ifno,whywasitlacking?

17. Whatdoyouthinkwerethekeyfactorsfacilitatingtheimplementationofthesegoals? 17a.Internalfactors

17b.Externalfactors

18. Whatdoyouthinkwerethekeychallengeslimitingtheimplementationofthesegoals? 18a.Internalchallenges

18b.Externalchallenges

19. Inyouropinion,hastheimplementationcontributedtoanincreaseinthesocialwell-beingofolderpersons?

Yes No Notsure

20. Inyouropinion,hastheimplementationcontributedtounintendednegativeeffectsonothergroup(outsideofolderpersons)?

Yes No Notsure

20a.Ifyes,pleasedescribe:

Accountability and Oversight 21. ArethereaccountabilitymechanismsinplacetoensureimplementationoftheRoadMap? Yes No Notsure

21a.Ifyes,arethesemechanismseffective?Whyorwhynot?

22. HowistheRoadMapprioritizedbytheseniormanagement/officialsoverseeingpolicyimplementation?

Yes Medium Low Notsure

23. AretherearrangementsinplacetomonitortheimplementationoftheRoadMap? Yes No Notsure

23a.Ifyes,arethesearrangementseffective?Whyorwhynot?

Partnerships and Coordination24. Inyouropinion,hastheimplementationcontributedtounintendednegativeeffectsonother

group(outsideofolderpersons)?

0%-25% 26%-50% 51%-75% 76%-100%NationalRegionalLocal


49

25. Inyouropinion,isthistheoptimaldistributionforimplementationbygovernmentauthorities? Yes No Notsure

25a.Ifno,whatwouldbetheoptimaldistributionforimplementationoftheRoadMapamongnational,regional,andlocalauthorities?


26. HastheRoadMapfacilitatedincreasedcoordinationbetweengovernmentauthorities? Yes Medium Low Notsure

26a.Ifyes,wheredidthisoccur(e.g.atthenational,regional,orlocallevel)?

27. HastheRoadMapfacilitatednewpartnershipsbetweengovernmentauthorities? Yes No Notsure


28. WhatisthecurrentdistributionforimplementationoftheRoadMapamongstakeholders(outsideofgovernmentauthorities)atthenational,regional,andlocallevels?


29. Inyouropinion,isthistheoptimaldistributionforimplementationbystakeholders? Yes No Notsure

29a.Ifno,whatwouldbetheoptimaldistributionforimplementationoftheRoadMapamongstakeholders(outsideofgovernmentauthorities)atthenational,regional,andlocallevels?


30. HastheRoadMapfacilitatedincreasedcoordinationbetweenkeystakeholders? Yes Medium Low Notsure


31. HastheRoadMapfacilitatednewpartnershipsbetweenkeystakeholders? Yes No Notsure



50

Additional Comments32. Pleaseshareanyothercommentsorrecommendationsyoumayhaveontheimplementationof

Armenia’sRoadMapforMainstreamingAgeing?


51

ANNEX 5

INTERVIEW / FOCUS GROUP GUIDE

EVALUATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ROAD MAP FOR MAINSTREAMING AGEING IN ARMENIA

INTERVIEW/FOCUS GROUP GUIDE

ObjectiveTheinterviewsandfocusgroupswillserveto:

• Addressalltheevaluationquestionsandhelpprovideanoverviewofwhatprogresshasbeenmadeinimplementationofthestrategytodate

• Develop a better understanding of the operationalization of the strategy, the modes ofengagement, monitoring of implementation, and coordination mechanisms that have beenestablished

• Furtherinvestigatesurveyresults

IntroductionExplainobjectivesoftheevaluation,thepurposeofthemeeting,andoutlinethetopicsfordiscussion,including:

• Howthestrategywasoperationalized,howitcurrentlyoperates,andwhatareitskeypriorities

• Thekeyachievementsandinnovationsaswellaschallengesandconstraintsofimplementation

• How the programme alignswith and responds to changes in national (and local) needs andpriorities

• HowtheGovernmentofRA,implementingagenciesandotherpartnerscoordinatetoachieveresultsandmakebestuseoftheircapacities

• Howtheevaluationcanfind,accessandusethequantitativeandqualitativeinformationincludingdocuments,databasesandkeypersonnelthatareneededtocompleteahighqualityandusefulevaluation.

• Howtheevaluationteamcanbestmeettheneedsofallkeystakeholdersduringthecountryfieldvisit

Brieflyaskparticipantstoreflectonhowthestrategywasinitiallyoperationalized,howweretheseeffortsledandcoordinated,howprioritiesweremade/whatwerethey,andhowitfunctionstoday.


52

QuestionsPart One: Origin, Structure and Operations

1. Howwasthestrategyintroduced/integratedincurrentArmeniandemographicandageingpoliciesandwhatroledidyourorganization(s)playinestablishingitsdirectionandpriorities(forinstanceselecting priority communities or identifying needs and opportunities for integration of elderpersonsinsocial/economic/culturalspheres,etc.)

2. Howistheprogrammeplannedandmanaged?HowistheneedtosupportgoalsoftheRoadMapidentifiedandhowareprojects/investmentsselectedforputtingintheworkplan?Theroleofyourorganization(s)inthisprocess?

3. Howaregoalsandresultsmonitoredagainstplansandhowarechangesmadewhenrequired?Aretheremechanismsinplacetomonitorthecost-effectivenessofactivities(achievementsofoutputsinrelationtoinputs)?

4. HowdotheGovernmentofRA,implementingpartnersandotherkeyactorscoordinatetheireffortstomakesuretheymakethebestpossiblecontributionandthatthereisareductionofoverlap/maximumcoverageofareasandpeople?

Part Two:Achievements to date

1. Howhastheimplementationcontributedtochangesinattitudes,polices,orpracticesthataddressdemographic changes in RA? In what sectors (economy, health, cultural) and at what levels(national,district)?

2. Have the experiences gained in support of specific regions or communities contributed toimprovementsinthenationalresponsetochallengesofageing?How?(Isthereaclearexampleandevidence?)

3. How have improvements (in access and integration)met the needs of vulnerable groups (e.g.rural poor,women, families in border areas, older persons livingwith disability both physical/mental)?Whatstrategiesareinplaceinensuringtheseservicesreachthesecommunities?Whatarechallenges?

4. Has implementation fosteredany innovativewaysof strengthening theprovisionordeliveryofservices?

5. How are the results of implementation documented and shared? In RA and amongst keystakeholders?

6. Other achievements? And are the achievementswe have discussed sustainable in the future?How?Whathasbeenlesssuccessfulinyourview?Why?Wasthereanopportunitytochangetheprogrammealongtheway?Whatarethelessonslearnedfromtheprocess?

Part Three:Responsiveness to National and Local Needs and Priorities

1. Fromthesurvey,itwasreportedthatthestrategyrespondedtonationalplansandpriorities.Havethedifferent investmentsandactivities in implementationalignedwellwithnationalplansandpriorities including commitments toMIPAA/RIS?Does it also alignwithneeds andpriorities atdistrictlevel?

2. Whatarethemajorconstraintsandchallengesfacingimplementationoverthelastseveralyears?Arethereeffortsmadetoaddressanytheseproblems?Whichones?How?


53

3. Howhastheprogrammerespondedtoimportantchangesinthenationalcontext–e.gchangesinpoliciesorpriorities?Has itbeeneffective inrespondingtochange?Asneedschange, is theapproachflexibleenoughtorespondandadapt?

Part Four: Coordination and Partnerships

1. How do ministries/departments of Government of RA make sure that their efforts are wellcoordinatedamongthemselves?Atnational,regional,locallevels?Arethesearrangementsagoodplatformforcoordinatedactionmovingforward?

2. HowdotheGovernmentofRAandkeyimplementingpartnersensurethattheireffortsarewellcoordinated? At national, regional, local levels? Are these arrangements a good platform forcoordinatedactionmovingforward?

3. Aspartnersworktogetherinamorecoordinatedway,havetheycontributedmoretothenationalandlocalresponsetoageingprioritiesthantheywouldhavewithouttheRoadMap?Orhavetheycontributedinadifferentway(usingdifferentmodalities)thantheywouldhavewithouttheRoadMap?

ConclusionIftimeallows,broaderquestionstowrapupcouldinclude:

1. Looking back over the last several years, what are the most important contributions andachievementsofimplementation?

2. Ifyoucoulddoitagain,whatwouldyouchange?

3. Thinkingaboutthefuture,whatarethecriticalprioritiesforthestrategyandwhatit invests itseffortsin?

AllowforQ/A(onprocess)andexplanationofnextsteps.

55

ANNEX 6

ROAD MAP GOALS

SYNTHESIS: GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goal 1 : To mainstream ageing and to pursue internationally-agreed policy principles.

Goal 2 : To ensure full participation and integration of older persons in society.

Objective2.1:Ensurefullintegrationandparticipationofolderpersonsinthesocial,cultural,economicandpoliticalspheres

Objective2.2:Ensureaccessibilityandnon-discriminatoryprovisionofservicesintheareasofhealthcare,transport,housingandcommunication.

Objective2.3:Ensuretheimplementationofequalrightsofallagegroupsandcombatdiscriminatoryandabusivepractices

Objective2.4:Enhanceintegrationandparticipationofolderpersonsbybuildingactivitiesintheareaofvolunteering

Objective2.5:Encourageandpromoteapositiveimageofolderpersonsandageing

Goal 3 : To achieve high quality of life at all ages, enhance the ability of older persons to live independently, enhance health and well-being.

Objective 3.1 : Promote healthy lifestyles and disease prevention, including physical activity andbalanceddiets,preventionofalcoholanddrugabuseandsmoking

Objective3.2:Ensureadequatehealthstatusandqualityoflifeforoldercitizensbymeansofprovidingadequatescope,typesandqualityofhealthcareandsocialservices

Objective3.3:Ensureahousingsituationforolderpersonsthatallowsthemtoliveindependently,healthilyandindignity

Objective3.4:Ensurehousingthatenablesolderpersonstostayintheirownhomesaslongastheywishtoandthatpermitsthemtoremainintegratedintheirfamiliarenvironments

Objective3.5 :Enhancetheaccessibilityofexistinghouses forolderpersonsandmakesurenewlyconstructedbuildingscomplywithcertainminimumstandardsofaccessibilityforolderanddisabledpersons.

Goal 4 : To ensure a minimum social protection level at poverty threshold to all in need, including those who can no longer earn their own income due to old age and related disability.

Objective4.1 : Implement thepension reformprogrammeasdecreedby theGovernment, closelymonitoritsconsequencesandeffectivenessandmakeadjustmentsastheneedarises

Objective4.2 : Provide social assistance to families taking careof older personswithout sufficientincomeoftheirown.


56

Objective4.3:Providesocialprotectionmoreeffectivelytogroupswithspecialneeds,includingwarveteransandinvalids.Moreeffectivelyprovidesocialprotectionservicestoolderpersonsnotfallingintothesecategoriesbutneverthelesshavinganeedforsupport

Objective4.4:Provideinformationforindividualsonhowtopreventdependenceinoldageandhowtoaccessservicesifneeded

Goal 5 : To develop and implement economic strategies with the aim of sustainable economic growth and development, while controlling negative social consequences of the transition and the global economic crisis with due regard to the implications of demographic ageing.

Goal 6 : To reduce obstacles and increase options for older persons to be economically active both when approaching retirement and beyond retirement age should they wish to do so.

Objective6.1:Reducelevelsofundesiredunemploymentamongolderpersonsapproachingorbeyondpensionage

Objective6.2:Facilitatemoreflexibleemploymentarrangementsforpersonsapproachingorbeyondpensionage

Objective6.3:Increaseawarenessamongemployersandthewiderpublicaboutbenefitsandavailableoptionsforolderpersonsinthelabourmarket

Goal 7 : To increase overall capacities and training levels among the population in all age groups.

Objective7.1:Promoteandencouragelifelongeducation

Objective 7.2 : Create conditions for acquiring knowledge which offers broader employmentopportunities

Objective7.3:Stimulateengagementofelderlypeopleinnon-vocationallearningactivitiestargetedtoimprovementoftheirphysicalandpsychologicalconditions

Goal 8 : To ensure gender equality in all aspects of national life, increase public awareness.

Objective8.1:Provideequalopportunitiestoachievefinancialindependence,participateinthelabourmarketandreconcileworkandfamilyduties

Goal 9 : To promote and support cohesion and solidarity within and between generations.

Objective9.1:Supportfamiliesthatprovidecareforolderpersonsandpromoteintergenerationalandintragenerationalsolidarityamongtheirmembers

Objective 9.2 : Identify and address the needs of older personswho cannot receive support fromyoungergenerationsinsideoroutsideoftheirfamilies

Goal 10 : To encourage partnerships between all stakeholders on all levels to address the challenges of the ageing society.

Goal 11 : Monitoring and Communication System: to enable stakeholders to follow up on results and provide feedback on policy decisions.

Objective11.1:EnsurethatproblemsencounteredduringtheimplementationoftheAgeingStrategyareidentifiedandresolvedinatimely,participatoryandsustainablemanner


57

Objective11.2:Implementationoftherelevantsocialpolicymeasuresprovessatisfactorytoallmainstakeholdersintermsofquantity,qualityandtimeliness

Objective11.3 : Buildmonitoring and evaluation (M&E) capacities for public officials and involvedstakeholders

Objective11.4:IntegratereportingformatsontheGovernmentandsectorallevels

Objective11.5:Communicatetargetsandoutcomestostakeholders

Goal 12 : Cross-cutting issues.

59

ANNEX 7

LIST OF AGEING-RELATED LEGISLATION ADOPTED

DuringtheimplementationperiodoftheActionPlan(fromAugust2012toMarch2016)thefollowinglegalactsrelatedtoageingwereadopted.

Legal act Description1 Protocol decree of the Government of

theRAN51dated20December2012“OnApproval of the 2013 State Programmeon Improvement of the DemographicSituationintheRepublicofArmeniaandListofActivitiesonitsImplementation”.

The protocol decree envisages implementation ofactivities by means of which living conditions ofpersons belonging to different age groups will beimproved;intheresultthedemographicsituationinArmeniawillbecomestabilized.WiththedecreeofthePrimeMinisteroftheRAN776datedSeptember4, 2013, for the purpose of coordination of thementioned activities, an Inter-agency Committeewas established, which submits regular reports ontheworkcarriedouttotheGovernmentoftheRA.

2 TheGovernmentoftheRAon26July2012approvedthedecreeN952“OnAdoptionoftheProgrammeonIntroductionoftheSystem of Integrated Social Services”,according to which the integration ofthe public social services and creationof complex territorial centers started in2013.

According to the decree the followingmain objec-tivesoftheintegratedsocialserviceswerespecified: Increase accessibility and quality of social

services. Conduct an efficient policy aimed at satisfaction

of the social needs of the population. Ensure assessment and monitoring of social

services. Decrease social exclusion of vulnerable groups

(including older persons). Strengthen social cohesion.

3 Decreeof thePrimeMinisterof theRAN20 dated 17 January 2013 “On Estab-lishment of an Inter-agency CommitteeandApprovalofitsWorkOrderandIndi-vidualComposition”.

Theaimofthecreatedcommitteeistoensureimple-mentationoftheActionPlanandcoordinationofre-latedactivities.

The Inter-agency Committee carries out its activi-ties through regular sittings. Annually 2-3 meetings were held, during which draft legal acts related to the issues of older persons were discussed, suggestions were submitted, reports on works implemented were presented by different agencies, various issues con-nected with protection of the rights of older persons, provision of quality health care and attendance ser-vices, improvement of dwelling conditions, introduc-tion of new models of care and social services were identified.


60

Legal act Description4 ProtocoldecreeoftheGovernmentofthe

RAN17dated2May2013“OnApprovalof the Concept Paper on ProvidingAlternative Care and Social Services toPersons with Mental Health Problems”,themainaimofwhichisintroductionofalternativeservicesonmentalhealth.

The concept paper introduces care services forpersonswithmentalhealthproblemsintheRepublicofArmenia,atthesametimementioningthattheyarenotsufficient.DuringtheSovietandearlyPost-Sovietperiod insufficientattentionwaspaid to thesphere of mental health, mainly in-patient carewasprovidedtothosepersons,theywereexcludedfromthesocietyandcareserviceswereconsideredsecondaryandnotimportantones.

In the concept paper the following issues of thespherearementioned: Absenceorlackofpreparedsocialworkersand

otherspecialistsofthementalhealthsphere. Imperfectionofthelegalfieldofthesphere. Absence of rehabilitation and relevant

employmentcentersforadolescentandyoungpersonswithmentalhealthproblems.

 Insufficientnumberofcommunitydaycenters. Absenceof special carehousesor centers for

olderpersonswithmentaldisorders. Limitations on rendering home attendance

services to older personswithmental healthproblems.

 Absence of supporting dwelling for personswithmentalhealthproblems.

 Limitations on providing services to personswithmentalhealthproblemsatthetemporaryshelterforhomelesspersons,etc.

Taking into consideration the existence of theaforementioned issues, the concept paper aims tointroducemodelsofalternativeservicesinthementalhealth sphere. These are based on new principles,whichare important from thepointof viewof theageingstrategytotheextentthatthereareprovisionswhicharerelatedtocareservicesforolderpersonswith mental health problems. The concept paperalsospecifiesthatmentalhealthservicesshouldbeorganizedonthebasisofthefollowinginternationallyacceptedprinciples: Availabilityandaccessibility. Targeting. Streamlinedandcontinuouscare. Confidentiality. Transparency. Equality. Respectofhumandignityandrights. Cooperation.


61


the RA N36 dated 13 September 2013“OnApproval of the 2013-2017ActivityPlan on the Implementation of theConceptPaperonRenderingAlternativeCareandSocialServicestoPersonswithMentalHealthProblems”.

Bymeans of which along with a number of otheractivitiesitisenvisagedtoestablish24-houranddaycentersforolderpersonswithmentalhealthproblemsorsupportcapacitybuildingofsuchcenterscreatedbyNGOs, aswell as organize homeattendance forlonely older persons with mental health problemsand/orsenilepsychosis,whoareinstablecalmstate.

6 Withthedecreesof theGovernmentoftheRAN1035dated13September2013and N1264 dated 13 November 2014,amendmentsweremade to the decreeof the Government of the RA N1874dated7December2006“OnApprovaloftheProcedureofProvidingCaretoOlderPersons and Persons with DisabilitiesandListofDiseasesServingasBasis forRefusingtoProvideCaretoOlderPersonsandPersonswithDisabilities”.

Thementionedamendmentsaimedatclarifyingandregulatingformsandtypesofcareservices,aswellasmaking the process of using care servicesmoreaccessibleforolderpersons,alsoaprecisetimeframeandconditionsforprovidingcareandsocialservicestoolderpersonswerespecified.

7 LawoftheRA“OnMakingAmendmentstotheLawoftheRA“OnEducation””(21June2014).

Thislawincludesaprovisionaccordingtowhichad-ditionallifelongeducationalprogrammesareimple-mented in order to satisfy vocational and personaleducationalneedsandisconsideredawayofensur-ingnon-formallearning.Thisamendmentallowstheolder persons to get additional education withoutagelimitations.

8 Decree of the Government of the RAN952, dated 4 September 2014 “OnApproval of the List ofMedical, Dental,Pharmaceutical and Public Health CareProfessionsoftheHealthCareSphereoftheRepublicofArmenia”.

Accordingtothisdecreegeriatricswasaddedtothelistofmedicalprofessions.

Itiscommonthatinconnectionwithageinganumberofveryimportantissuesariseanditisassumedthattheyshouldbesolvedthroughthesystemofsocialprotection of older persons, particularly throughits subordinate system of social services, which ischaracterized by a number of issues requiring aconceptualsolution,amongwhichisalsoabsenceorimperfectionofthesystemofservicesongerontologyandgeriatricsinPost-SovietArmenia(formerlytherewasanadvancedsystem).

Hence,theaforementioneddecreeisastepforwardtowardsthesolutionofthisissue.Atthesametime,training courseson geriatrics are introduced in thesystemofpost-graduatestudies,andgeriatriciansorfamily doctorswhopassed special trainingwork atboardinghouses.


62


the RA N39 dated 18 September 2014„On Approval of the Concept Paper onRendering Social Services to the Elderlyin the Republic of Armenia and 2015-2019 Action Plan-Timeframe on its Im-plementation“

The goal is the introduction of a system of socialservicesforolderpersonsintheRepublicofArmeniain line with modern advanced approaches andmodelsbasedoncomprehensiveassessmentofrealneedsoftheolderpersons.In the mentioned Concept Paper the currentsituationandtheproblemsrelatingtothesphereofolderpersonsarepresented,and it is suggested tocreateanetworkofinstitutionsprovidingadditionalsocial services to older people by introducing newmodelsofsocialandhealthcareservices, includingthefollowingones: Carehouseforolderpersons. Paid service of home attendance of older

people. Provision of 24-hour care to older persons at

homeoracaregivingnurse. Entertainment and culture club or day center

forolderpersons. “Schoolofactivelongevityandhealthylifestyle”. Developmentofthemodelofsocialdwelling. Lifelongrentcontract. “ServiceofSocialAssistant”. Introduction of the system of indicators on

comprehensive assessment of the needs andpayingcapacityofolderpersons.

 Introduction of the system of services ongerontologyandgeriatrics.

 ApprovalofthelistsofminimumandadditionalsocialservicesforolderpersonsguaranteedbytheState.

10 Decree of the Government of the RAN1220 dated 6 November 2014 „OnMaking Amendments to the Decree oftheGovernmentoftheRAN318dated4March2004“.

Decreeenlargedthelistofpersonshavingtherighttoreceivemedicalaidandtreatmentfreeofchargeandonpreferential termsguaranteedby theState.According to this decree, particularly homelesspersonsinadifficultlifesituationgettheopportunitytoreceivefreeofchargemedicalaidandtreatmentintheframeworkofthestateorderevenwithoutanidentification document, and among such personsthere are also older persons and persons withdisabilities.


63

Legal act Description11 LawoftheRA„OnSocialAssistance“

(17December2014).TheLawspecifiesthenotionsofsocialservices,socialassistance and integrated social services, primarysocial services, thebasis for their classificationandrendering subjects, main principles of provision ofsocial services and social assistance, right to socialassistance, objective, the system of governance ofsocial assistance, rights and obligations of personsentitled to social assistance, financial sources ofsocial assistance; it regulates social cooperation intheRA,implementationoflocalsocialprogrammes,provisionofsocialassistanceandotherrelations.

12 Decree of the Government of the RAN1069 dated 10 September 2015 “OnSpecification of the List of Persons Cat-egorized as Socially Vulnerable and Be-longing to Special Groups Having theRighttoObtainDwelling,ProcedureandConditionsofProvidingtheDwelling”.

The decree regulates the procedure of providingdwellingtospecificcategoriesofpersonsbelongingto special groups (singleolderpersons, veteransoftheGreatPatrioticWar).

Thedecreeregulatestheprocedureofprovidingthedwelling,envisagedbytheLawoftheRA“OnSocialAssistance”,which assumesprovisionof temporarydwellingtothebelowmentionedpersons(families): Foraperiodofupto10yearsonacontractual

basis without charge and after that onrental basis to a person (family) residing in atemporary dwelling, other facilities for publicuse, not having living space with ownershipright,exceptthecaseswhentheperson(family)alienated the flat (house) during the 5 yearsprecedingthedateofregistrationforprovisionofdwelling,

 Forupto90daysasatemporarydwellingtoapersonnothavingaplaceofresidence,

 Forupto12monthsasatemporarydwellingtovictimsofdomesticviolence,

 ToveteransoftheGreatPatrioticWar, Foraperiodofupto10yearsonacontractual

basiswithout charge andafter thaton rentalbasistoapersonover65yearsofagehavinganhonorabletitleoftheRepublicofArmeniaand(or)formerArmenianSovietSocialistRepublicinthefieldsofscience,education,journalism,art, health care, economy, architecture,jurisprudence,physicalcultureorsport.

13 Decree of the Government of the RAN1078 dated 10 September 2015 “OnApprovalofCasesandProcedureofCer-tificationofSocialServicesProvision”.

The enforcement of this decree will contribute toenhancing the efficiency and responsibility of theorganizationsrenderingsocialservices.Itisenvisagedtostartthecertificationprocessfrom2017.


64

Legal act Description14 Decree of the Government of the RA

N1044dated24September2015„OnEs-tablishmentof theMechanismof Inter-agencySocialCooperation“.

Thedecreeregulatestherelationshipsofthepartiescooperating in the process of providing socialassistance, the rightsandobligationsof thepartiesin the framework of the cooperation, forms andprocedureofinter-agencycooperation,requirementson scope, deadline and forms of data exchangebetweenthecooperatingparties,problematiccaseswhichcandeterminethatthepersonisinadifficultlife situation or the possibility of finding himself/herselfinsuchasituation,monitoringandassessmentprocedures.Thegoalofthemechanismapprovedbythedecreeistheidentificationofpersons(families)requiring social assistance, development andimplementationofindividualsocialprogrammesandtheircontinuoussupervision.

15 Decrees of the Government of the RAN1112 dated 25 September 2015 “OnApproval of the Procedure and Condi-tionsofProvidingCaretoChildren,OlderPersonsand(or)PersonswithDisabilitiesandListofDiseasesServingasBasis forRefusingtoProvideCaretoOlderPersonsand(or)PersonswithDisabilitiesandDe-claring Invalid a Number of Decrees oftheGovernmentoftheRA”

The aim of this decree is regulating the careprovisiontoolderpersons,personswithdisabilitiesand children in a single document. In comparisonwith former regulations this decree specifiesmoredetailedandprecisely theprocedureofapplicationfor care provision in light of the creation of “onewindow”receptions,andclearlydefinesthedecision-makingon careprovision, formsandkindsof care,types of provider institutions, authorizations ofdifferentorganizations,theprocedureofinformationexchange;atthesametimeanewsectionwasaddedabout general requirements for social protectioninstitutionsandsocialcaredaycenters.Furthermorethe introduction of the institute of certificationof organizations rendering social services is alsoenvisaged.

16 LawoftheRA“OnMakingAmendmentstotheLabourCodeoftheRepublicofAr-menia”(AL-96,dated22July2015).

ThisLawenvisagesthatalabourcontractconcludedfor an indefinite period on the initiative of theemployer can be terminated when the employeereaches the age of 63 if he is entitled to old agepension,orelseattheageof65,iftherelevantbaseisprovidedby the labourcontract.Thisdecree isastepforwardtowardseliminatingagediscriminationinthesphereoflabourandemployment.

17 Decrees of the Government of the RAN1292 dated 29October 2015 “OnAp-provalofIndicatorsofStaffUnitsofStateNon-CommercialOrganizationsProvidingCareandAttendanceServicesundertheMinistry of Labour and Social Affairs oftheRepublicofArmenia”.

This decree specifies indicators of staff unitsnecessary forensuringquality careandattendanceforolderpersonsreceivingcareservicesfromstateorganizations.


65

Legal act Description18 Decree of the Government of the RA

N1533 dated 17 December 2015 “OnApproval of the Procedure of ProvidingAlternative Care and Social AttendanceServices to PersonswithMental HealthProblemsat24-hourCareHouses”.

The decree specifies the notion of 24-hour carehouses,theobjectiveandprinciplesofcareprovisiontopersonswithmentalhealthproblemsat24-hourcare houses, and general requirements for 24-hour care houses; it regulates the admittance anddischarge of persons withmental health problemsfrom24-hourcarehouses,theprovisionofalternativecare and social attendance services, aswell as thepromotionoftheirsocialinclusion.

19 OntheinitiativeoftheMinistryofLabourandSocialAffairsoftheRAandpartnerstakeholder organizations (particularlyArmenian Caritas) in December 2015 anetwork of public and private institu-tions dealing with the issues of socialprotectionandprovisionofcaretoolderpersons intheRepublicofArmeniawasfounded

A number of NGOs dealing with issues of olderpersons joined the network, which signed amemorandumofunderstandingandundertook thefollowingresponsibilities: Cooperate and implement targeted projects

or support implementationof projects aimedat protecting the interests of older persons,improving their quality of life, barrier-freeparticipationinsociallife,ensuringaccessibilityand availability of health care and socialservices,etc.

 Contribute to theelaborationofasustainabledevelopment policy in the social protectionsphereandactivitiesonitsimplementation.

 Within their capacity provide necessarysupporttoeachotherfortheimplementationofrelevantmeasuresintheframeworkofthememorandumofunderstanding.

 Carryoutworksaimedatexpandingthescopeofthecooperation,aswellasincreasingpublicawareness and legal consciousness aboutissuesofsocialprotectionandcareprovisiontoolderpersons.Thiscanbeachievedbymeansof TV and radio programmes, creation and(or) broadcasting of social films, publicationof information about social services andinstitutions, rights and responsibilities ofpersons in the social sphere, printing anddissemination of information booklets(brochures)andguidelines,aswellasbyothermeans,whichareavailableandacceptabletotheparties.

 Activelyparticipateintheactivities,discussions,andmeetingscarriedoutbythenetwork.