Armenian Delegation Explores Sweden´s Decentralisation Model
From February 2 to 5, a high-level delegation from Armenia gathered in Stockholm for an intensive study visit aimed at strengthening the country’s ongoing decentralisation reforms. Bringing together senior decision-makers from the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Finance, the Union of Communities of Armenia, and Yerevan Municipality, the visit created a rare space for strategic reflection, dialogue, and learning at the highest level.
The delegation visited Flen Municipality, Sweden. Photo: Flen Municipality
The study visit is a cornerstone of Sweden’s support to Armenia’s preparations for fiscal and education decentralisation and broader local government reform. More than a technical exchange, it offered an opportunity to experience how decentralisation works in practice in a country with a long tradition of strong local self-governance—and to reflect on what elements could be adapted to the Armenian context.
"An important result of the visit is that it opens up horizons, and the understanding of what operationalization can look like in Armenia” says a participant from the Armenian delegation.
Sweden’s journey can give lessons for Armenia’s roadmap
Throughout the week, participants explored the historical evolution and current scope of Sweden’s system of local self-governance. Sweden’s model, built on a clear division of political, administrative, and fiscal responsibilities between national, regional, and municipal levels, provided a concrete framework for discussing Armenia’s own decentralisation roadmap.
A key focus was fiscal decentralisation, including revenue sharing and equalisation systems that enable municipalities to maintain strong and predictable financial foundations. Discussions highlighted how local fiscal autonomy can drive economic development and improve public services, while also raising important questions about which elements of the Swedish model could be adapted to the Armenian context.
Education reform was another central theme. Meetings with representatives from Stockholm City and visits to Flen and Botkyrka municipalities illustrated how Swedish municipalities govern education in close cooperation with national authorities to achieve better school outcomes.
”The education system in the Armenian communities needs urgent support, many children are not accessing the education system at all, and many schools are in dire need in terms of staffing, so reform is really a pressing issue” says a representative of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia (MoESCS during the study visit.
The delegation also engaged in in-depth discussions with the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR), focusing on why the role of the Association is important in the Swedish system for local self-governance.
Beyond institutional learning, the visit created space for internal reflection among Armenian stakeholders, strengthening shared understanding and coordination across sectors. While Sweden’s experience is not a model to be replicated, it offers practical inspiration and trusted expertise to support Armenia’s continued journey toward stronger, more effective local self-governance.