General info

About us

Freedom of Information Center (FOICA) was founded by journalists and lawyers on July 1st, 2001 in Yerevan, Armenia.

The mission of FOICA is to promote application of the RA Freedom of Information Law, contribute to the transparency and openness of the Armenian government system and to stimulate civic society's involvement in the governance system.

Main objectives of FOICA for 2023 are:

promoting beneficial ownership transparency reform recently launched in the country;
advancing access to information strategies and implementation practice;
assisting the government in establishing strategic policies and papers aimed at the fight against disinformation;
establishing access to information self-assessment instruments for government entities;
fostering judicial system's external and internal communication;
protecting rights and interests of the civil society and media in their search for information.

The main directions of the FOICA activities are:

Open Government Partnership Initiative

Freedom of Information Center of Armenia is a pioneer in fostering Open Government Partnership objectives in Armenia by setting up a productive dialogue and cooperation between the Government and civil society. On June 14, 2013, the FOICA jointly with the Government of Armenia organized “Open Government Partnership-Armenia” the first international conference in Yerevan.

FOICA plays an active role in the development of the OGP Armenia Action Plans, implementation and monitoring of the implementation process against the commitments. Under 27 January, 2012 50-Ա decision of the RA Prime Minister about “Creating a workgroup in order to elaborate the Action Plan for Armenia’s participation in the OGP”, the FOICA was included in the working group. Taking into consideration the importance of the Action Plan and the necessity of actions ensuring its further implementation, the FOICA has developed more than 25 suggestions/recomendations, in order to include them in the Armenia’s Action Plan. Most part of FOICA’s suggestions has been included in the 1st Action Plan and in the 2nd Action Plan.

In 2013 FOICA launched OGP/Armenia web site www.ogp.am with USAID/Armenia funding to ensure access to OGP related information for the society, to provide regular updates on the progress of the Armenian government in meeting its commitments of Action Plan. The site provides information about ongoing projects and initiatives, as well as future plans of the government in promoting open governance, transparency and a greater degree of public engagement.

The FOICA has organized a series of public debates on the draft National Action plans thus ensuring public participation in the development process of this important document. The debates and public discussions organized by the FOICA provided a unique forum for a constructive dialogue between the NGOs and the Government, where they engage in a collaborative debate..

The FOICA pubilisizes monthly electronic newsletter on OGP/Armenia to regularly inform the public about international and local developments around OGP.

Fight against corruption

Freedom of Information Center, using freedom of information as a tool to fight against corruption, is actively involved in the anti-corruption struggle since 2001.

In 2009, within the framework of the project "Support to the Expert Group of during the Development of a New Anti-Corruption Strategy", FOICA implemented an assessment of achievements in the implementation phase of the anti-corruption strategy 2003-2007 in the following areas: education, healthcare, judicial and banking systems, tax and customs services, etc. Expert advice was provided on the development of the content of the new anti-corruption strategy.

The organization is involved in various anti-corruption activities, including providing trainings for civil society groups and public officials, organizing public education campaigns, supporting development of anti-corruption national strategies as well as monitoring of their implementation, monitoring political parties campaign financing and public procurement. In 2014-2016 FOICA is fully involved in the anti-corruption struggle through its 3-year "Multi-Faceted Anti-Corruption Promotion" ongoing project funded by EU. FOICA is a member of the Anticorruption Policy Council since 2013 and reelected again in July 2019. FOICA is a member of UNCAC Coalition.

Beneficial ownership initiative

For ensuring a realistic fight against corruption and against money laundering, in 2018 the FOICA initiated public consultations on beneficial ownership and worked closely with the RA Government to adopt a new commitment on beneficial ownership field in the 4th National Action Plan of the Armenian Government in OGP. This commitment was approved by the government in November 2019 and became a part of the 4th NAP. FOICA is currently actively raising public awareness and capacity building of Business Comunity and CSOs on this ambitious reform.

With the support of the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), FOICA initiated and carried out thematic research, developed a special educational module for business representatives, organized capacity development trainings and advisory meetings for representatives of the private sector, carried out individual consultation and support of business representatives related to the IP declaration process.

In order to promote the Beneficial Ownership Transparency initiative, FOICA implements separate programs for CSOs as well. With the support of the "Open Ownership" organization, FOICA has conducted course of trainings for CSOs and journalists, developing the capabilities of analyzing BO data and promoting their use in research and journalistic activities. FOICA also implements thematic programs with other international partners, continuing the constant work towards the implementation of the reform and ensuring the active participation of the main actors in its framework.

Fight against disinformation

FOICA supports the fight against disinformation by developing and implementing strategic documents regulating the sector, as well as by organizing targeted capacity building training on fact-checking and access to information for various stakeholders. FOICA also disseminates information and documents essential to crucial public spheres.

From 2019 to 2022, the FOICA jointly with the Public Journalism Club implemented "Access to Information: New Challenges, New Solutions" project. This initiative was aimed at enhancing access to information and transparency, as well as empowering youth with practical knowledge and skills to fulfill their role in active citizen control, improving the flow and quality of public information.

During 2020-2021, the FOICA implemented the "Combating Disinformation Virus" project, focusing on empowering media literacy and fact-checking skills of youth by creating fact-checking laboratories in 5 Universities and schools of Armenia.

From 2021, the FOICA by the support of the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) engaged the business community. in the fight against disinformation Within the framework of the "Empowering the Private Sector to Combat Disinformation" project, FOICA developed and implemented capacity building courses on fact-checking for private sector representatives.

In order to implement systemic changes in the sector, within the framework of the "The National Strategy to Combat Disinformation in Armenia" project, FOICA has developed the National Strategy Аgainst Disinformation 2023-2025 and the Roadmap. The documents define the strategic directions of the fight against disinformation, which the Government of Armenia should be guided by in communicating with the public, media and civil society. It envisages a complex of urgent and immediate actions to protect the Republic of Armenia, its institutions and citizens from disinformation.

Legal counseling, Advocacy and Strategic Litigation

During its 18 years of operation FOICA has provided legal consultations on FOI-related issues to more than 7000 persons (citizens, media, CSOs, journalists and legal persons). The FOICA helps civil society groups to appeal unjustified information refusals in courts, hence making positive court precedents in the FOI field in Armenia. In 2006-2018 the FOICA brought 54 court cases with 80% positive outcome against national and municipal bodies for illegal refusals of information requests.

Trainings

By organizing country-wide trainings for over 7477 people including 3122 civil and community servant on the implementation of the FOI legislation. Training modules developed by the FOICA team have been approved as mandatory by the RA State Civil Service and the Minister of Territorial Administration for ongoing trainings of civil and community servants.

Public Campaign

FOICA actively advertises the public’s right to know and the Armenian "FOI Law". It exposes cases of violation of access rights through broadcast and print media, as well as Internet. Dozens of TV talk shows and programs, investigative articles, conferences, FOI Annual Award Ceremonies were organized. Since 2001 the center has been publishing the “You have the right to know” Bulletin which is the only Armenian periodical specialized in freedom of information. Each issue of the Bulletin contains a “black-list”of those officials who have violated the access to information right of citizens, journalists, NGOs and juridical persons. The FOICA’s website www.foi.am is a professional resource for everyone to get knowledge and news on freedom of information, including local and international practice. As a substantial part of public campaign, since the adoption of the Armenian FOI law in 2003, each year on September 28 – the International Right to Know Day, the FOICA organizes the Golden Key FOI Annual Award Ceremony since 2003 to assess the openness and transparency of the government and to criticize closed and secret work style.

Legislation reforms

The FOICA has played an active role in the elaboration and adoption of the Armenian law on “Freedom of information”. The FOICA has initiated the drafting and adoption process of the second generation of the freedom of information legislation reforms. The reform package was developed together with the Armenian Ministry of Justice; Member of the National Assembly Viktor Dallakyan and the civil society. At present the package is included in the agenda of the National Assembly’s session.

Improvement of mechanisms for proactive publication of information by the central and local government bodies

In 2008-2009 FOICA established mechanisms for log-in, tracking and addressing FOI requests in 5 regional central government bodies and 5 municipalities. In 2008- 2012 FOICA has placed 270 information billboards in the most crowded places of 57 targeted communities of Armenia to help local government administrations proactively publish information to be widely available for the community people.

E-Government Reforms

The FOICA implements a number of activities aimed at establishing new electronic government mechanisms in the government system. In 2011 the Freedom of Information Center has fully modernized the official websites of the Armenian Ministry of Territorial Administration and the 10 regional administrations. The FOICA is also supporting the Government to effectively use “Mulberry” electronic documentation sharing system in the governance system. For this purpose a series of training sessions and working discussions were organized in 2009-2010. In addition to this, computers were provided to municipalities and regional administrations.

Monitoring

The FOICA carries out a constant monitoring of the implementation practice of FOI legislation in the state agencies and local self-government bodies. Every year the Freedom of Information Center of Armenia sends over 1000 information requests to state agencies and local self-government bodies, which makes the Centre one of the organizations that most actively use the Armenian Law on Freedom of Information. During past 17 years the FOICA carried out a number of monitoring projects to find out the state of freedom of information in Armenia.

In 2014 the Freedom of Information Centre developed and launched a Rating system to assess openness and transparency of information holders (particularly state and self governmental bodies) - the FOI Index. Based on the developed more than fifty criteria the Freedom of Information Center's experts will assess the level of transparency and freedom of information in state and self governmental bodies and every year will compile the annual FOI index.

FOICA is a member of:

UNCAC Coalition
Freedom of Information Advocates Network (FOIA Network), Global
Access Info Europe (founder member), Global.
FOICA is an honored member of the American National Coalition of FOI Centers, which associates 25 FOI Centers in the United States.
Eastern Partnership National Platform founder, 2010 June.

FOICA Board Members are:

Shushan Doydoyan- FOICA President, PhD in Communication, Lawyer

Gevorg Hayrapetyan- Lawyer, Former Head of Personal Data Protection Agency,

Liana Doydoyan- Programme Manager, FOI Expert

Mane Madoyan-Communication Specialist,

Papin Muradyan- Media expert,

Juliet Arushanyan- Data pretaction Specialist, Personal Data Protection Agency.

FOICA chart

FOICA Statute