“IDEAS: Inclusive Decisions for Equal and Accountable Society” is a three-year regional project, funded by European Commission and British Council, which involves six countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Jordan, Georgia, Lebanon and Ukraine.The partner of the project is Unison NGO for support of people with special needs. The goal of the project is to strengthen the role and capacity of disability focused civil society organisations to work with local government in local decision making processes and in monitoring the promotion of the rights and experiences of people with disabilities.

Through various activities, organised within the framework of the project the following objectives and goals will be reached:

			To establish a framework for local government decision-making and action that strengthens the ability of government to recognise and address the needs and rights of people with disabilities;
			To provide disability focused Civil Society Organisations (CSO), local authorities and the media with skills and tools to raise awareness and to represent the diverse needs and issues facing people with disabilities more effectively to local government and wider society;
			To strengthen the involvement of disability focused civil society organisations and of people with disabilities in government decision-making processes and in monitoring actions taken by local government;
			To strengthen national and cross-border cooperation to promote international standards in understanding disability and the rights of persons with disability.

The development of a functional participatory decision making framework will ensure that persons with disabilities participate equally with others in any activity and service intended for the general public, such as education, health, employment, social services, and others. The project envisages organising a series of activities, involving local authorities, and other CSOs and media outlets.

For more information about the “IDEAS: Inclusive Decisions for Equal and Accountable Society” project, please contact Lusine Ghukasyan, Projects Coordinator.