Here is a list of some of the activities implemented by the Italian Government in favour of Armenia in the field of Development Cooperation:
- Implementation of a project aimed at the information systems development of Armenian hospitals by means of linking the Ashotsk Hospital in the Shirak Region to the Medical Network for Distance Consultation and Training of the Italian hospitals in the world, which are specialised in various disciplines of fundamental medicine, such as: oncology, cardio-vascular diseases, neurology and neuro-rehabilitation. Other 3 hospitals located in Yerevan will be linked to the above mentioned network via the Hospital of Ashotsk. This co-operation project is foreseen within the Italian-Armenian Memorandum of Understanding signed in Rome on April 2, 1997 and entered in force on February 16, 2000.
- Co-operation with the Armenian Caritas branch in the field of contrasting trafficking of human beings by means of two large projects which are at present already completed. The first initiative was aimed at raising the awareness of the risks of trafficking among the poor, women, girls, orphans and in the public opinion in general, as well as at setting up contacts between the Authorities and NGO’s, so as to facilitate the information flow. Besides, conferences and seminars dealing with this subject were organized, films and documentaries were screened in various Armenian towns and information materials were printed. The action plan also included the organisation of a competition named ‘The Best Poster Open Exhibition’. Numerous pupils of the primary schools and the art schools of Gyumri who took part in the competition were asked to illustrate and represent graphically the issue of trafficking. The second project was specifically designed to spread among the population detailed information concerning the problem of trafficking of human beings. With this purpose 101 schools were selected in Yerevan and in the regions of Shirak and Gegharkunik where the awareness campaign was carried out. A comprehensive number of 579 lessons were given, attended by a total number of 12.927 fifteen and sixteen-years-old pupils and by about 600 parents. In addition to this, 8100 leaflets and 120 posters were handed out in the selected schools.
- Creation of a Rehabilitation Centre for Refugees in the village of Kasakh, at 10 km from Yerevan in the province of Aragatsotn, in co-operation with the OSCE Office in Yerevan. The Centre was iaugurated by the then Italian Undersecretary of State Margherita Boniver in November 2004.
- Renovation of the municipal kindergarten in the town of Artashat in co-operation with UNDP and the municipality where the building is located. Walls, ceiling, floors, as well as the electricity, heating and water supply systems were either repaired or newly rebuild. The kindergarten was provided with furniture, computers and facilities. The beneficiaries of this initiative are about 100-120 children.
- Deliver of food products to Armenia: wheat flour for the total value of 1,291,142.00 euros in December 2003 and sugar and flour for a total value of 1,000,000.00 euros in 2005.
- Assigning 10 scholarships which allowed young Armenian surgeons to take part in specialization courses in various Italian hospitals, organized by the Italian Society of Surgery and comprised the sectors of abdominal, chest, vascular, hepatic, endocrinologic, laparoscopic and emergency surgery.
- Sponsoring a programme for brucellosis control developed by the FAO Emergency Department, for the total sum of 770,000.00 dollars. The relevant agreement between the FAO and the Armenian Ministry of Agriculture was signed on April 16, 2006.
-In addition to this, the Italian Embassy also found out useful links with the Italian entrepreneurship aimed at sustaining humanitarian actions. Thus, the company ACEA gave a generous financial support for the acquisition of materials and training at the Spitak Art School, located in the "Italian village" in Spitak.
- Participation in the Rural Poverty Eradication Program, an action promoted by the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and aimed at reducing poverty in the border areas of Armenia the Italian Government has allocated a total sum of 500,000.00 euros. For detailed information, see the section ‘Programmes’.
- On October 1, 2007, in Geneva office of the International Committee of Red Cross a meeting to discuss the proposal of a voluntary contribution by the Directorate General of the Cooperation for Development of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in favour of the above mentioned organization. During the meeting it was decided to allocate 200 thousand euros to projects and initiatives to be implemented in Armenia.
- In August, 2008 the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to allocate, through UNDP, 500.000 euros for the realization of an important project of restoration the historic center of Gyumri, the second town of Armenia.