The concepts and principles of open government —transparency, accountability, inclusiveness, and innovation —are essential for local governments to deliver services and create trust. The municipality of Yerevan, in Armenia, has implemented the Green Seal-Green Deal initiative, upholding open government principles to fight climate change.
Background
Yerevan joined the Local Open Government Partnership initiative in May 2022. Their 2023-2024 Action Plan outlined a vision to improve public service delivery, promote sustainable, social, and environmental development, and foster a green economy with open government principles. They established mechanisms at the local level based on democratic, fair, and broad participation.
Through meetings and hearings, stakeholders prioritized increasing citizen participation and developing accountable public administration via community-resident dialogue. Building integrity among community servants was a key action plan commitment.
The municipality created the “Green Development” platform to promote integrated sustainable development at all levels. It includes green action, green seal, and green procurement, and updates climate action information, such as greenhouse gas reduction in the city. The platform encourages organizations to comply with sustainability standards through a ‘green seal’ and helps them purchase eco-friendly goods and services.
Credit: Municipality Yerevan
What is Green Seal-Green Deal initiative
In Yerevan, over 400 municipal organisations previously operated without green procurement practices, resulting in financial and environmental impacts. A municipal study revealed a high energy consumption and a low tendency to be driven by a green agenda.
Under the action plan, the Green Seal-Green Deal initiative encouraged municipal organisations to implement green procurement and energy-saving measures through a co-creation process. Every year, municipal organisations submit proposals to adopt green procurement. Participants who emerge as winners receive a “green seal” certificate, a symbol of accountability, innovation, and a shared commitment to a greener future.
This initiative received the 2023 Open Government Award, which recognised its efforts to advance the open government agenda.
Credit: Municipality of Yerevan
Co-creating solutions
The initiative is a data-driven co-creation process. Baseline energy consumption data were collected from all municipal organisations to identify needs and priorities. A public tender invited municipal institutions to submit proposals outlining measures, justification, objectives, and expected results. Winners receive small grants to implement energy-saving actions.
In 2023, Kindergarten No. 92 won, with its budget largely spent on utilities due to heat loss from old doors and windows. The school proposed replacing them with energy-efficient options, sparking a ripple effect that promoted mindful spending, community awareness, and enthusiasm for energy-saving solutions.
Credit: OGP Local
Significance
The initiative encourages responsible spending and increases awareness of energy efficiency within municipal organizations. With the annual grant, organizations are motivated to innovate continuously and adhere to green procurement standards.
The issuance of the “Green Seal” certificate in this format is unprecedented in Armenia, providing a replicable model for other municipalities to encourage green practices and uphold institutional integrity.
Lessons learnt
The Yerevan case offered important lessons on local open government for sustainable development.
- Co-creation fosters ownership. Engaging municipal staff and community members in designing solutions fosters shared responsibility and long-term commitment.
- Transparency strengthens public trust. Open communication regarding project selection, results, and certification enhanced trust between the municipality and citizens.
- Accountability mechanisms can motivate rather than penalize. The “Green Seal” certificate turned accountability into a positive motivation, recognizing achievement rather than just enforcing rules.
The Green Seal–Green Deal initiative demonstrates how open government principles can transform sustainability goals into collective local action, creating a city that is more transparent, accountable, and resilient.
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