12 Armenian local government officials and business community representatives took part in one-week training program, carried out by FLGR, September 12 - 18, 2004. The main goal of the program were to increase the knowledge and capacity of selected Armenian officials to lead pro-active economic development policy.

Training Program objectives were:

- Identify different practical approaches, mechanisms and techniques used in economic development of cities in Bulgaria and outline those that can be effectively applied to the Armenian environment;

- Develop an outline of the economic development strategy or an Action Plan that is appropriate to the participant s city;

- Develop a plan to share the knowledge and experience with other colleagues to help build a coalition for change in their communities;

- Develop professional contacts with Bulgarian counterparts.

The participants were local government officials and business community representatives, who have already leadership experience within their communities and have begun to improve in many different areas such as locally generated revenues, capital planning implementation, assets management, etc.

The Training Program was also aimed at exchange of experience, know-how and successful practices in the field of Local Economic Development (LED), Strategic Planning and Transparent Governance. It was specifically designed for the Armenian participants to provide them with knowledge on how to: assess the community resources and prioritize the economic sectors of importance for the city/municipality; elaborate and implement economic development strategy; promote the municipal recourses and attract prospects as well as retain and be responsive to the existing industry; and to introduce open and transparent service provision to citizens and businesses.

Within the training program participants had the chance to be exposed to best practices and hear success stories from: Bulgarian central government agencies that are fostering the local economy, regional government representatives, regional agencies for economic and tourism development, municipal specialists, NGOs and private business leaders and entities as well as learn about existing models and approaches in Bulgaria, concerning effective mechanisms for quality of life improvement.

The site visits had been selected among Bulgarian most successful examples, demonstrating targeted economic policies, partnership, local government commitment and business-friendly environment (Sevlievo, Gabrovo, Tryavna, Dobrich, Stara Zagora). Creation of jobs and local economic growth was the key issues in all cases. A diversity of local actors who had initiated and implemented partnerships for change shared practical knowledge and advice to facilitate understanding of LED concept.