Overview of Think Tanks in Armenia A THINK TANK is a research institute, other organization or group providing ideas, analysis, and advice on any aspect of future planning and strategy. Common themes are issues of policy, commerce, social and military interest. Think tanks are frequently associated with universities, corporations, military laboratories, political interests, or other academic institutions. Think tanks often use multi-disciplinary teams of theorists, researchers and intellectuals who endeavor to produce analysis and/or policy recommendations. Think tanks may also advocate for policy positions. Research and positions developed by think tanks foster public dialogue on important issues. Government, private corporations, industry associations, foundations, or donors may provide funding for or commission work by think tanks. CAPS aims to cooperate with non-partisan Armenian think tanks involved in the economic sphere in general, and in issues of competitiveness, CAPS focus clusters, workforce, and gender specifically. Strong, sustainable Armenian think tanks are crucial to foster an environment where policy making is based on informed public-private dialogue and international best practice. CAPS also aims to foster productive relationships between the work of think tanks and the research needs (for advocacy and other purposes) of business and industry organizations. Armenia has a large number of non-government organizations, some of which are involved in advocacy, but few of these conduct policy research and should be classified as think tanks. A limited number of research grants from CAPS will be provided to Armenian think tanks in order to both build the capacity of Armenian organizations to effectively research and advocate on topics related to competitiveness, and to provide industry clusters with sound research to address their specific needs. Research grants are intended for not-for-profit research organizations legally registered in Armenia. Research topics will be announced and open competition solicited for them. Below is a list of think tanks involved in issues of competitiveness and economic development in Armenia, organized in a stratification developed by CAPS. This list was compiled based on CAPS investigation of available databases and other information sources. Accordingly, the list may be incomplete and interested organizations with demonstrated experience providing policy research may contact CAPS to have their contact details added to this list.
Think Tanks Providing Economic or Policy Research and / or Serving CAPS Target ClustersThis groups may include not-for-profit organizations, foundations, and intellectual networks, but not projects which are funded directly and solely by bilateral or multilateral donor agencies. Economy and Value Research Center - The Center’s activities are focused on promoting competitiveness agenda, educating and advising leaders in ethics and strategy, as well as exploring value and cultural foundations of development. “Armenia 2020” Project - Armenia 2020 is a scenario-building initiative that focuses on the identification of alternative development models for the Republic of Armenia until the year 2020 and the elaboration of development scenarios for the country. International Center for Human Development - The Center is aimed to support strengthening the democratic mechanisms and fostering free market values. As a distinctive think tank, it pays particular attention to research and attempts to develop a unique vision for tackling the main problems of economic development and social safety. Economic Development and Research Center (EDRC) - The EDRC focuses on supporting economic freedom and democracy as decisive conditions for the successful development of the Armenian economy. Armenian International Policy Research Group (AIPRG) - AIPRG is a research network, with offices in Armenia and US, which researches and encourages the discussion of public policy issues in Armenia and the Diaspora. Center for Regional Development/Transparency International Armenia (CRD) - This organization's activities are aimed at fostering transparency, accountability and participation; promoting the enabling environment for political, economic and social reforms; assisting in cross-boundary cooperation directed to confidence-building and regional integration. Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) - Founded in 1994 by Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K. Hovannisian and supported by a global network of contributors, ACNIS, the nation’s first independent research institution, serves as a link between innovative scholarship and the public policy challenges facing Armenia and the Armenian people in the post-Soviet world. It also aspires to be a catalyst for creative, strategic thinking and a wider understanding of the new global environment. Scientific and Educational Foundation “Noravank” - Noravank Foundation was established with the purpose of elaboration of the programs, which are aimed to facilitate the development of both the state and society of Republic of Armenia. Institute for Civil Society and Regional Development (ICSRD) - ICSRD is a Yerevan-based independent, not-for-profit, non-governmental think-tank with a research agenda covering the major political, economic and social issues facing Armenia, Caucasus and its neighborhood. Foundation for Small and Medium Business (FSMB) - This group’s purpose is to improve the business environment by higher standards of practice, better methods, increased efficiency and broader knowledge. Advanced Social Technologies NGO - The mission is to contribute to social development of Armenia by means of designing and enacting effective technologies to address urgent needs of Armenian society. Information Technologies Foundation (ITF) - The main mission of the Information Technology Foundation is to assist in the diffusion of Information Communication Technologies in the spheres of economy, culture, education etc. Center for Information Law and Policy (CILP) - The main areas of CILP’s research activities are information law and policy. Center for Socio-Economic Research and Analysis (CSERA) - The main goal of CSERA is improvement of social status of Armenians through sustainable and long-term economic development of the country. Social Policy and Development Center (SPDC) - SPDC promotes social policy that enables the building of secure, just, free and harmonious societies offering opportunities and higher standards of living for all. Strategic Development Agency NGO - "Strategic Development Agency" (SDA) NGO is a non-government organization founded in 2002 by a number of professionals from different sectors: economics, law, agriculture, NGO sector, journalism, international development organizations etc. who have decided to join their efforts (as a “think tank”) to contribute to the country socio-economic development. “Centre of Independent Analysis, Productivity and Competitiveness” Foundation - Assistance through independent analysis and research to creation of favorable environment for business, establishment of dialogue between government and society. Formation of policy regulating environment for development of productivity and competitiveness in the country. Institute for Political and Sociological Consulting - IPSC – Institute for Political and Sociological Consulting is a research institute in Armenia, specialized in marketing researches, sociological surveys, and public opinion polls, qualitative and quantitative researches and consulting.
University-Affiliated Think Tanks and Research Groups This group includes research groups/centers formal (registered legal entity within university structure) or informal within universities doing research on economic issues focusing on competitiveness agenda and tourism and IT clusters. These groups/centers consist usually university professors and post graduate students. American University of Armenia, Turpanjian Center for Policy Analysis - The Turpanjian Center for Policy Analysis (TCPA) was established ten years ago by the AUA School of Political Science and International Affairs (PSIA) with the central mission of promoting knowledge and understanding through objective and independent research and policy analysis employing the latest methodologies. American University of Armenia, Center for Business Research and Development (CBRD) - CBRD carries out organized research and development projects through teams of faculty, local experts, and graduate assistants. It will focus on developing reliable economic business and industrial information about Armenia and the region. Russian-Armenian State Slavonic University, Chair of Finance and Economy - The goal is to conduct researches and develop projects related to economic policy, financial market, transitional and institutional issues. Russian-Armenian State Slavonic University, Department of Education Programs and Development of Relations - The goal is to introduce systems and strategic programs for the development of the education system and SMEs, as well as joint education programs with higher education institutions in Russia and Europe. Russian-Armenian State Slavonic University, Department of Information Technologies - The goal of the organization is to conduct scientific-education activities French University in Armenia - French University of Armenia aims to promote scientific research through establishment of scientific centers, organization of conferences, trainings, publication of scientific materials, distance education, and career training. The University seeks to educate, train, and advance professional skills by endorsing a system of education in which ideas are creatively, critically, and comparatively examined. The University’s unique expertise has helped to develop high-quality research and teaching in various spheres.
Research Groups Affiliated with GovernmentThis group includes research organizations which are legally located directly within government structures, or were founded directly by government decree, or who receive substantial funding for general operations from the public sector. Business Service Providers Who Provide Research on Policy and Legal IssuesThis group includes research organizations which are legally located directly within government structures, or were founded directly by government decree, or who receive substantial funding for general operations from the public sector. This list is not comprehensive, and interested firms with demonstrated experience providing policy research may contact CAPS to have their contact details added to this list.
Donor Financed Projects Mainly Focused of Policy and Legal Reforms in Economic FieldThis group includes research organizations which are legally located directly within government structures, or were founded directly by government decree, or who receive substantial funding for general operations from the public sector. | 
