About us
General info
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.
Beneficial ownership initiative
Fight against disinformation
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.
Trainings
Public Campaign
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.