January 30-31, 2020 in the framework of the “ArmenianCaritas” BNGO’s “ARAMAZD: SMART” project a meeting-discussion by “Open Space” format on the topic “Intergovernmental Partnership as a Community Development Guarantee” was held in Dilijan. Ashot Giloyan, Head of the Department of Local Self-Government of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia, Armine Simonyan, Head of the Territorial (Capital) Program Support Division, Artak Aghbalyan, Head of the Primary (Vocational) and Intermediate Vocational Education Department of the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Sport and Culture, MPs Nazeli Baghdasaryan and Hrant Ayvazyan, representatives of Gegharkunik, Lori and Shirak Marzpetarans (regional administrations), representatives of local governments, CSOs and business sector participated in the meeting. The main goals, activity directions, as well as current results of “Aramazd: SMART” project, were presented in the first half of the meeting. The panel discussion with the participation of sector leaders and experts took place in the following areas: “CSOs as the initiator and the consolidating power of community development processes”, “Local Self-Governments as key stakeholders in community development processes”, “Challenges and development opportunities for agribusiness in Shirak, Lori and Gegharkunik provinces of RA”, “Social Entrepreneurship as a Successful Prototype for Inter-sectoral Cooperation”, “State subsidies as an effective resource for addressing priority issues of community development.” The second part of the meeting started with the discussion in the “Open space” format, which is a long coffee break. As it is widely known that the best ideas arise during discussions in a relaxed atmosphere during coffee breaks, a similar format of the discussion was used to create and strengthen inter-sectoral connections. The participants offered and led group discussions on 10 topics, including volunteering, equal community development, entrepreneurship and the role of CSOs, investment policy improvement and more. It was very important to have the opportunity to discuss important issues in the groups with intersectoral representatives and offer solutions, so the participants could find supporters on the spot, partners for further cooperation. As a result of the discussion, they were able to develop interesting and innovative ideas, which would later have a chance to become competitive project-proposals. On the second day of the meeting, successful examples of the inter-sectoral partnership were presented to the participants. To sum up, the manager of the project Zara Aghanyan announced the launch of the “Aramazd: Smart” grant competition aimed at promoting the cross-sectoral partnership. The terms and details of the competition were also presented. The grant programs will be aimed at addressing priority issues in rural communities of Gegharkunik, Lori and Shirak provinces, creating a common platform for inter-sectoral partnership and economic development.