Regulations

REGULATION

Approved by The 9th Congress of the Anti-Corruption Coalition of Civil Society Organizations of Armenia

January 17, 2025

REGULATION OF THE ANTI-CORRUPTION COALITION OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS OF ARMENIA

(New Edition)

YEREVAN – January 17, 2025

GENERAL PROVISIONS

The Anti-Corruption Coalition of Civil Society Organizations of Armenia (hereinafter: Coalition) is formed and operates based on the principles of common anti-corruption values, voluntariness, equality, independence, integrity, and collegial management.
The Coalition is an informal association of civil society organizations and operates in accordance with the current legislation of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the Declaration adopted during the founding assembly of Coalition member organizations on November 28, 2014, and this regulation.
The Coalition’s name is:

In Armenian: Հայաստանի քաղաքացիական հասարակության կազմակերպությունների հակակոռուպցիոն կոալիցիա, abbreviated: Հայաստանի ՔՀԿ-ների հակակոռուպցիոն կոալիցիա, acronym: ՀՔՀԿ
In Russian: Антикоррупционная коалиция организаций гражданского общества Армении, abbreviated: Антикоррупционная коалиция ОГО Армении, acronym: АКОА
In English: Anti-Corruption Coalition of Civil Society Organizations of Armenia, abbreviated: CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenia
- The Coalition has a symbol, which represents a red hand with a gray dot. The red hand symbolizes intolerance towards corruption and the fight against corruption, while corruption is represented by the gray dot in the symbol. Next to the hand, written in gray, is:
In Armenian: Հայաստանի ՔՀԿ-ների հակակոռուպցիոն կոալիցիա
In English: CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenia

The image of the symbol is attached to this regulation.

The Coalition may submit recommendations arising from its goals and objectives to RA state administration bodies, local self-government bodies, constitutional independent bodies, judicial bodies, and other legal entities.
The Coalition may cooperate with both RA state and non-state bodies, foreign, international and local organizations, as well as with individuals.
The Coalition may have international connections, become a member of networks of international non-governmental and non-profit organizations, sign memoranda and agreements with foreign, international, local organizations and state bodies.
The location of the Coalition’s secretariat is: Republic of Armenia, Yerevan city, 7 Nalbandyan street, office space 2.

COALITION OBJECTIVES AND TASKS

Coalition objectives are:

a) To increase the effectiveness of public oversight by civil society organizations (hereinafter: CSOs) over government anti-corruption reforms.
b) To promote the implementation and development of effective policies and mechanisms aimed at eliminating corruption, and to promote the development of a transparent, accountable, professional management system.
c) To promote the formation and establishment of corruption perception as a threat to society, the formation of intolerance towards corruption, an environment of contempt, and demand for honest governance among society, and to raise public awareness.
d) To strengthen CSOs’ capacities related to monitoring, public oversight, and implementation of anti-corruption activities.

Coalition tasks are:

a) To implement public oversight programs in legislative, judicial, executive branches of government, local self-government bodies, including in areas of public service delivery, state reserves and public procurement, to publicize their results and submit recommendations to relevant bodies based on results.
b) To develop the CSO-Government anti-corruption platform for the implementation of anti-corruption organizational mechanisms in Armenia, including criminalization of illicit enrichment, establishment and development of independent anti-corruption body(ies), whistleblowing system and whistleblower protection, confiscation of illegally obtained property, criminal liability of legal entities, beneficial owners and implementation of several other mechanisms and policies.
c) To develop and implement anti-corruption educational programs aimed at raising public anti-corruption awareness and perception, public participation in anti-corruption fight and protection of corruption victims’ rights.
d) To implement anti-corruption and integrity programs in business and public service sectors.
e) To organize seminars, trainings and other events to strengthen CSOs’ capacities related to monitoring, public oversight and implementation of anti-corruption activities.
f) To develop cooperation between Coalition member organizations.
g) To cooperate with the UNCAC Coalition and other sector organizations.
h) To participate in drafting and examining anti-corruption laws.
i) To organize congresses, workshops, schools, seminars, roundtables, courses, meetings, discussions, award ceremonies, implement other work aimed at developing the anti-corruption sector.

3․ COALITION MEMBERSHIP, RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS

Civil society organizations, including social movements, initiatives, business and local government associations, and media outlets that have joined the Coalition Declaration, accept these Rules, contribute to the implementation of Coalition objectives through their activities, and make voluntary financial support payments to ensure the operation of the Coalition Secretariat can become members of the Coalition.

The decision on admission of a Coalition member is made by the Coalition Board of Directors based on a written application with the recommendation of at least two board members.
The Coalition maintains a record of its members and periodically updates their data. The procedure and conditions for maintaining the Coalition membership records are established by the Coalition Board of Directors.
Withdrawal from Coalition membership is done based on the member’s written application or the Coalition Board’s decision to remove the member from Coalition membership for failure to perform or improper performance of obligations set forth in clause 3.6 of these rules.
A Coalition member has the right to:

a) participate in Coalition governance through their representatives,
b) submit proposals, comments, and practical programs regarding Coalition activities,
c) freely express their own views,
d) initiate programs aimed at Coalition development,
e) be informed about Coalition activities,
f) benefit from Coalition’s legal, technical, informational and other support,
g) freely withdraw from Coalition membership.

A Coalition member is obligated to:

a) uphold and promote anti-corruption values,
b) participate in and support Coalition activities,
c) contribute to Coalition development,
d) inform Coalition members about anti-corruption grant competitions announced by various organizations and, when participating in such grant competitions on behalf of the Coalition or within the framework of cooperation with the Coalition, form consortiums composed of Coalition member organizations where possible,
e) inform Coalition members about their participation in various anti-corruption grant competitions and share results with them,
f) not act on behalf of the Coalition without authorization from the Coalition’s competent body,
g) act in accordance with these rules, fulfill the requirements of Coalition rules and decisions of Coalition governing bodies,
h) make voluntary financial support payments to ensure the operation of the Coalition Secretariat.

Responsibility of Coalition members:

a) A Coalition member bears responsibility for their obligations under these Rules by decision of the Coalition Board of Directors or by decision of the Coalition Assembly upon the Board’s recommendation,
b) The measures of responsibility for Coalition members are:

Restriction of participation in programs and events implemented by the Coalition,
Restriction of provision of information about Coalition activities,
Restriction of participation in the Coalition Assembly,
Restriction of representation on the Coalition Board of Directors,
Revocation of Coalition membership.

c) A Coalition member is not responsible for the obligations of the Coalition or its other member organizations, and the Coalition is not responsible for the obligations of its members.

4․ COALITION STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE

The Coalition’s governance structure consists of the Assembly, Board of Directors, and Secretariat.
Oversight of Coalition activities is carried out by the Coalition Assembly.
The supreme body of the Coalition is the Assembly of its members, which has the final authority on any matter of Coalition governance and activities.
The Coalition Assembly may be convened through representative delegates according to quotas set by the Board of Directors. The Board determines the date, time and place of the Assembly, as well as the draft agenda, and notifies coalition members electronically no later than 10 calendar days before the Assembly.
The Coalition Assembly organizes its work in the form of sessions, which are convened as needed but not less than once a year.
An extraordinary Coalition Assembly is convened by the Coalition Secretariat within 15 calendar days upon the reasoned decision of the Coalition Secretariat, Coalition Board, or at least 1/3 of Coalition members. Extraordinary assemblies are convened with the agenda of the convener.
The Coalition Assembly can discuss issues and make decisions if 1/3 of all Coalition members or Assembly delegates participate. Decisions are made by simple majority vote of Assembly participants. The Assembly can also discuss issues and make decisions through other means of online communication.
The Coalition Assembly:

a) approves the Coalition rules, makes changes to them and/or approves new versions of the rules,
b) determines the number and quotas of the Coalition Board, elects Board members for one-year terms (the organization implementing Secretariat functions is ex officio member of the Board), changes Board composition, terminates Board members’ powers early,
c) discusses and approves decisions on voluntary support payments by Coalition members,
d) discusses and approves reports of the Coalition Board and Secretariat.

Powers of the Coalition Board of Directors:

a) The Board is the governing body of the Coalition between Assembly meetings,
b) discusses and makes decisions on all matters related to Coalition activities, except for matters within the authority of the Coalition Assembly,
c) prepares Coalition Assemblies, sets Assembly delegate quotas based on number of Coalition members, organizes election of Assembly delegates at least 15 days before Assembly convocation,
d) makes decisions on Coalition membership admission and removal,
e) makes decisions on applying responsibility measures defined by these Rules to Coalition members,
f) makes decisions on creating and dissolving permanent and temporary commissions, working and territorial groups and/or other structures of the Coalition, approves their procedures which cannot contradict these rules, appoints and dismisses their coordinators and those responsible, gives them authority,
g) discusses and approves the Coalition’s strategic plan, sustainability and financial plan, monitoring program, visibility plan and other documents.
h) discusses and approves the composition of consortiums formed by Coalition members and programs to be submitted for anti-corruption grant competitions on behalf of or in cooperation with the Coalition, monitors their implementation,
i) elects members of Coalition commissions, working and territorial groups, expert committee and/or other structures,
j) makes decisions on Coalition membership in public and independent councils, commissions and other bodies attached to state bodies, as well as international anti-corruption networks,
k) elects the Board chairperson and terminates their powers early,
l) accepts and issues statements, reports, appeals and observations on behalf of the Coalition.

Procedure for organizing Coalition Board activities:

a) The Coalition Board holds its regular meetings once every two months through the Coalition Secretariat. An extraordinary Board meeting may be convened by the Coalition Secretariat upon:

Written request of at least 1/3 of Coalition Board members,
Written request of the Coalition Board chairperson,
Written request of the Coalition Secretary General.

b) A Coalition Board meeting can discuss issues and make decisions if more than half of total Board members participate. Decisions are made by simple majority vote of participating Board members.
c) The Coalition Board may convene expanded Board meetings with participation of coordinators and those responsible for Coalition commissions, expert committee and territorial groups, as well as other Coalition members,
d) Other individuals and legal entities may also be invited to Coalition Board meetings by its decision.

A Coalition Board member has the right to:

a) be elected as Coalition Board chairperson in accordance with these Rules,
b) submit proposals, comments and practical programs regarding Coalition and Board activities,
c) freely express their own views,
d) monitor and oversee implementation of Coalition Board decisions,
e) be informed about results of monitoring Coalition and Board activities and decisions,
f) benefit from Coalition’s legal, technical, informational and other support,
g) freely withdraw from Coalition Board membership upon their application.

A Coalition Board member is obligated to:

a) regularly participate in Board meetings (authorizing another Organization representative if unable to attend),
b) personally uphold and promote anti-corruption values,
c) participate in and support activities of the Coalition and its Board,
d) contribute to Coalition development,
e) contribute to improving effectiveness of Coalition Board activities,
f) act in accordance with these rules, fulfill requirements of Coalition rules and decisions of Coalition governing bodies,
g) make voluntary financial support payments to ensure operation of Coalition Secretariat,
h) submit a report to Coalition Secretariat at end of their term on work done during reporting period for publication at Coalition Assembly.

Responsibility of Coalition Board members:

a) A Coalition Board member bears responsibility for their obligations under these Rules by decision of Coalition Board or by decision of Coalition Assembly upon Board’s recommendation,
b) The measures of responsibility for Coalition Board members are:

Restriction of participation in Coalition Board meetings for period set by Board decision,
Restriction of provision of information about Coalition and Board activities for period set by Board decision,
Early termination of Coalition Board member powers by Coalition Assembly decision.

Procedure for electing Coalition Board chairperson:

a) The Coalition Board chairperson is elected at first Board meeting convened same day after regular or extraordinary Coalition Assemblies, by Board members formed based on these Rules from among themselves,
b) The Coalition Board chairperson is elected for a one-year term,
c) The same Board member cannot be elected as Board chairperson more than twice consecutively.

Powers of Coalition Board chairperson:

a) The Coalition Board chairperson has all rights of Coalition Board members defined by these Rules,
b) The Board chairperson chairs Coalition Board meetings,
c) The Board chairperson must put to vote during Board meetings any proposal made by Board members regarding Coalition activities,
d) The Board chairperson submits proposals regarding discipline and activity of Board members for subjecting them to responsibility under these Rules,
e) The Board chairperson, together with Coalition Secretary General, signs Board meeting minutes,
f) The Board chairperson represents Coalition Board in relations with third parties with Board’s consent,
g) The Board chairperson exercises other powers provided for the Board chairperson by Coalition Rules.
h) The Board chairperson’s powers terminate in following cases:

Not attending Board meeting at least once without valid reason.
Submitting written resignation to Board.
By Board decision.

i) If Board chairperson does not attend Board meeting and submits written resignation, Coalition Secretary General chairs Board meeting until new Board chairperson is elected.

The Coalition Board chairperson is obligated to:

a) properly fulfill all obligations assigned to Board members by these Rules,
b) regularly organize and conduct Board meetings,
c) regularly attend Board meetings and conduct meetings according to these Rules,
d) personally uphold honor and responsibility of Board chairperson position,
e) contribute to improving effectiveness of Coalition Board activities,
f) act in accordance with these rules, fulfill requirements of Coalition rules and decisions of Coalition governing bodies.

Responsibility of Coalition Board chairperson:

a) The Coalition Board chairperson bears responsibility for obligations of Board member and Board chairperson defined by these Rules by decision of Coalition Board or by decision of Coalition Assembly upon Board’s recommendation,
b) The measures of responsibility for Coalition Board chairperson are:

Restriction of participation in Coalition Board meetings for period set by Board decision,
Restriction of provision of information about Coalition and Board activities for period set by Board decision,
Termination of Coalition Board chairperson powers by Board decision,
Early termination of Coalition Board member powers by Coalition Assembly decision.

Coalition Expert Committee:

a) consists of recognized local and international experts in anti-corruption field, persons elected by Coalition Board,
b) provides expert support for Coalition development and strengthening,
c) strengthens Coalition’s international connections,
d) contributes to ensuring Coalition’s financial sustainability,
e) represents Coalition in key anti-corruption platforms with knowledge and authority of Coalition Secretary General.

Coalition Secretariat:

a) is the executive body of the Coalition,
b) ensures normal course and transparency of Coalition bodies’ work,
c) chairs, records and signs Coalition Assembly meetings,
d) records Board meetings,
e) The Secretariat sends all Board meeting minutes to Board members within four working days, after which if members have no objections or additions within two working days, minutes are signed by Board chairperson and Coalition Secretary General.
f) manages Coalition archives,
g) coordinates Coalition’s ongoing and organizational work, including representing Coalition in relations with third parties.
h) submits proposals and other documents prepared by Coalition to competent bodies and organizations on behalf of Coalition, signs bilateral documents with third parties on behalf of Coalition,
i) coordinates work to raise funds necessary for organizing Coalition work,
j) maintains records of Coalition members, registry of new membership applications,
k) submits reports on work done by itself and expert committee to Coalition Board and Assembly.
l) The functions of Coalition Secretariat are carried out by the Armenian Lawyers’ Association NGO, whose president ex officio or person authorized by president serves as Coalition Secretary General.
COALITION MEASURES

The coalition has no separate property.
The funds of the Coalition are raised by the decision of the Management Board of the Coalition through the member organization(s) of the Coalition, and the raised funds are used exclusively for the implementation of the goals and objectives of the Coalition.
The funds of the coalition also come from other sources not prohibited by law.

FINAL PROVISIONS

The coalition can be terminated by the decision of the conference, if 2/3 of the total number of members of the conference are in favor of that decision.
Termination of the coalition does not create obligations for the member organizations.
With the adoption of this regulation, the rotation procedure for the election of the Chairman of the Management Board of the Anti-Corruption Coalition of Civil Society Organizations, approved by the Management Board of the Anti-Corruption Coalition of Civil Society Organizations on June 30, 2016, is invalidated.

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