Freedom of Information Center

The Freedom of Information Center (FOICA) is an Armenian non-governmental organization founded on July 1, 2001, in Yerevan by a group of journalists and lawyers. Its mission is to promote the application of Armenia's Law on Freedom of Information, enhance transparency and publicity in public administration, reduce corruption risks in the public sector, and foster civil society participation. The organization's founding president is Shushan Doydoyan. FOICA has implemented over 60 programs with local and international partners since 2001. It is a member of the UN Convention against Corruption Coalition and the Freedom of Information Advocates Network, and since 2019 has been part of Armenia's Anti-Corruption Policy Council. The organization also works on combating disinformation, developing Armenia's 2023-2025 National Strategy against Disinformation and its roadmap. Since 2018, it has cooperated with the Armenian government on beneficial ownership transparency to combat money laundering and tax evasion. FOICA is known for its annual "Golden Key, Rusty Lock" awards, which recognize government agencies and officials for compliance with freedom of information laws (Golden Key) or for secrecy and non-disclosure (Rusty Lock). It also publishes a blacklist of officials and organizations that fail to respond to information requests. The organization provides legal advice, strategic litigation, and educational modules for various groups, including businesses. It operates the e-Draft.am platform and eMonitor+ digital tool. FOICA is funded by donations from international organizations such as USAID, OSCE, UNDP, the World Bank, the European Union, and others.

The Freedom of Information Center (FOICA) was founded on July 1, 2001, in Yerevan, Armenia, by a group of journalists and lawyers. The founding president is Shushan Doydoyan. Since its establishment, FOICA has been dedicated to promoting freedom of information and government transparency in Armenia. In the early 2000s, FOICA played a key role in drafting Armenia's Law on Freedom of Information, which was adopted by the National Assembly on September 23, 2003. The law regulates the procedure for obtaining written information in Armenia. Following its adoption, FOICA has regularly monitored the state of freedom of information in the country. Over the years, FOICA has implemented more than 60 programs aimed at developing the field of freedom of information, in collaboration with local and international partners. It has also undertaken projects to combat corruption and raise awareness about corruption in Armenia. The organization is a member of the UN Convention against Corruption Coalition and the Freedom of Information Advocates Network, and since 2019 has been part of Armenia's Anti-Corruption Policy Council. FOICA has developed Armenia's 2023-2025 National Strategy against Disinformation and its implementation roadmap, a document aimed at protecting state bodies and citizens from disinformation. Since 2018, it has cooperated with the Armenian government on beneficial ownership transparency as a means to combat money laundering and tax evasion. FOICA organizes the annual "Golden Key, Rusty Lock" awards. The Golden Key is awarded to government agencies, officials, NGOs, local self-government bodies, and journalists who best comply with the Law on Freedom of Information. The Rusty Lock is given to agencies that violate the law or fail to provide information. A blacklist of officials and organizations that responded incompletely, left requests unanswered, or unjustifiably refused to provide information is also published. FOICA continues to be involved in the development of the legislative framework in the field and provides legal advice, strategic litigation, and educational modules for various groups, including businesses. It operates the e-Draft.am platform and the eMonitor+ digital tool.

• Founded in Yerevan, Armenia by a group of journalists and lawyers.

• Armenia's Law on Freedom of Information, drafted with FOICA's involvement, is adopted by the National Assembly.

• FOICA begins cooperation with the Armenian government on beneficial ownership transparency.

• FOICA becomes a member of Armenia's Anti-Corruption Policy Council.

• FOICA develops Armenia's 2023-2025 National Strategy against Disinformation and its roadmap.

1. 1ԻԱԿ - FOICA — Freedom of Information Center of Armeniafoi.am
2. 2Աջակցություն ԻԱԿ-ին - FOICA — Freedom of Information Center of Armeniafoi.am
3. 3Կապ մեզ հետ - FOICA — Freedom of Information Center of Armeniafoi.am
4. 4Գործընկերներ - FOICA — Freedom of Information Center of Armeniafoi.am
5. 5Freedom of Information Centerwikidata.org
6. 6Ինֆորմացիայի ազատության կենտրոնhy.wikipedia.org