Economic Consulting Service of Gyumri (ECS) is a registered non-governmental organization (NGO) founded on September 10, 1996. The core organizational goal of ECS is to support the economic and social development of Shirak province by serving as a link between its inhabitants, the government, the local business community, and other related parties. The activities of ECS are focused on promoting the socio-economic development of Shirak province by encouraging public participation in the economic policymaking process and enhancing public literacy of relevant economic, social, and democratic issues.

The founders of ECS and its Board of Directors consist of scientific professionals, experts, and consultants that have experience in government and community structures, international organizations and the Armenian private sector. Areas of specialization include economics, sociology, ecology, jurisprudence, engineering, as well as research and analysis of socio-economic processes in the rural regions of Shirak province.

Currently ECS is carrying out a number of socio-economic development projects with the support of International and local organizations. ECS holds seminars, lectures and trainings for representatives of Local Self Government (LSG) bodies, farmers and businessmen on such themes as: Strategic Planning of Rural Communities and Local Organizations, Development of Farms and Small Business in Shirak province, Marketing Research, and the Monitoring Activities of LSG bodies. From 2000 to present with cooperation and support from the Academy for Educational Development, Competitive Armenian Private Sector Program, Eurasia Foundation, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Business Advisory Services (BAS) Programme, TACIS, and other organizations. In 2008-2010, ECS has carried out research and educational programs addressed to private sector assessment for developing Technopark in Gyumri and development of business sector in regions of Armenia, to ecology problems, poverty reduction, the removal of social barriers for local inhabitants, as well as the development of the rural regions and communities of Shirak province.

Examples of ECS� past operations over the past decade include some of the following. In 1997 ECS organized the second Armenian National Conference on the theme �Privatization and its Perspectives�. During 1997 to 1998 ECS Specialists, with the support of UNDP, held training sessions for 115 mayors of Shirak province. During 1998 to 1999, the ECS participated in the Conference on Cooperation Between Consulting Companies of the South Caucasian States, which was organized and carried out in Georgia. In September 1999, ECS Community Centers were established in Artik, Amasia, Akhurian, Ashotsk, and Maralik regions. In 2000, ECS together with AED (USA) conducted a conference on the theme: �Development of Regional Business�, and also the same year ECS was awarded a USAID Certificate of Excellence. In 2006 ProSME (GTZ) has awarded the first prize for the developed program of strategic development of organization.

 

The main mission of ECS is to support activities of local inhabitants, entrepreneurs and farmers in questions of democratic and market orientation of the Shirak region. By promoting State, commercial, and community structures to solve problems of the population concerning poverty prevention, ECS organizational activities have the following objectives: strengthen the role of the population in communities, promote inhabitants access and participation in sustainable development, and assist the population of communities by creating employment programs through civil society building in the region.

ECS does not follow political aims or religious affiliations, our main mission and vision is directed towards improvement of the social status of inhabitants, and the fostering of social change in Shirak province. The main activities of ECS are addressed to the removal of social and economic barriers of inhabitants, to support civic initiatives and advocacy of their socio-economic rights, assisting LSG bodies, and promote regional community development programs. ECS seeks to inform and influence public opinion and to foster public discussion on social and economc policy also development issues. ECS�s work covers a broad range of social policy and development areas including poverty reduction, tackling corruption, strengthening of the local non-profit sector, security building, ecology and education issues.