Eurasia Partnership Foundation in Armenia (EPF-Armenia)
Eurasia Partnership Foundation-Armenia's (EPF-Armenia) guiding vision is a South Caucasus that is peaceful, conflict-free and cooperative with civically engaged citizens, socially responsible businesses, and sustainable, accountable and effective third sector organizations.[1]. Because our operating landscape is one of political unrest, military confrontation, economic crisis and limited regional cooperation, we must harness the potential of community activism and local philanthropy to make a contribution to peace- and confidence-building[1]
EPF’s mission is to empower people to effect change for social justice and economic prosperity through hands-on programs, helping them to improve their communities and their own lives.[1]
EPF is at the core of building civil society in Armenia. Over the 20 years of its existence, it has built several hundreds of NGOs. EPF has built networks of young leaders and community CSOs all over Armenia. Within its programs (human rights, conflict transformation, civil society building and others) EPF is working on alternative education methods and critical thinking.
Having a group of highly motivated civil society leaders and public figures engaged in organization's everyday activities, EPF tries to break up propaganda myths and build a picture of the proper way forward for the Armenian society. It works on such major areas of change as anti-corruption and anti-discrimination.
As a ‘think and do tank’, which works the full circle, from policy advice to implementation, and whose remit covers a very significant part of civil society and the media of Armenia, EPF is well situated to boost the critical thinking agenda in the society. Being sustainable, having its own office and conference space, and working with a clear strategic perspective, EPF advances Armenia’s civil society and democracy perspectives while Armenia balances between abandoning democracy and/or still building a state of a European quality.
Our work[edit]
Through USAID funded “CSO DePo: Civil Society Organizations’ Development Program” EPF and its partners foster sustainable civil society development through strengthening the capacity of CSOs as critical actors to advance and oversee reform, improve services and contribute to the development of more effective governance in the economic, democratic, and social spheres. Since 2014 more than 200 Armenian CSOs have received a unique combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills on organizational development, communications, fundraising, partnership- and network-building either through participation in the EPF-run CSO Management School or through organizational capacity measurement, capacity building grants and individual consultancies.
As a part of the CSO DePo a web portal (www.hkdepo.am) was developed. The portal is a place where all interested civil society actors can get useful information and opportunities, share experiences and advocate together.
For many years now EPF implements Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue programme. The Conflict Transformation Schools (CTS) as part of that project are taking place twice a year with a follow-up meeting in Tbilisi. They contain significant elements of critical thinking skills. Previously EPF produced a Manual for conflict-sensitive reporting in Armenian and a Glossary of hate speech in Armenian and Azerbaijani media[2]. EPF’s and its partners work effected in a more balanced coverage of Azerbaijan in Armenia.
As part of its programming, EPF has supported production and dissemination of films on the issues of past and recent history, such as on the events of 1948 (repatriation and Stalin’s purges); on dissidents and freedom of speech in USSR; on the downwards in women’s rights after independence (on silent housewives); on the four presidential elections in Armenia; and on March 1, 2008 events. EPF has produced several films on tolerance.
As a ‘think and do tank’, EPF has developed numerous methodologies to urgently and strategically address the challenges that Armenia faces. See, for instance, its policy advice on Armenia’s ways forward after the Russia-Georgia war of 2008, and other policy and educational materials: http://www.epfarmenia.am/en/thought-leadership/policy/
In 2010 EPF together with partner organizations launched the Support to Armenia-Turkey Rapprochement (SATR) two-year USAID funded program. The program aimed to support the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey through engagement facilitation between civil society groups, establishment and development of business partnerships and regional professional networks as well as enhancement of understanding between people.
EPF continued its efforts towards the normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations through EU funded Support to the Armenia-Turkey Normalization Process (ATNP) program implemented by a Consortium of eight civil society organizations from Armenia and Turkey. Since the start of the program in January 2014, members of the Consortium have carried out a considerable number of activities including media exchanges, cultural performances and art exhibitions contributing to better mutual understanding, as well as business forums, workshops, trainings and exchanges for young people, teachers, artists and film-makers enhancing and organizational contacts. In 2014-2015 ATNP directly targeted around 2,000 people from the two countries, while the number of people who benefited from numerous activities and events is estimated at about 10,000. More information about the Program and its outcomes is available on its website.
In 2014 EPF conducted a research on the need of an anti-discrimination law. Since then EPF, in collaboration with relevant CSOs and the Ministry of Justice of Armenia, has commenced the elaboration of a “Law on Equality”. Currently the draft law is under the consideration of the Government and it is anticipated to be adopted in the near future.
EPF's network of Information Centers (InfoTuns) is comprised of eight multimedia hubs located in different parts of Armenia. InfoTuns aim to promote media literacy, provide opportunities and help to access and create alternative media content for thousands of both local and regional residents.
Other areas of recent experience include EPF's engagement in
- decentralization reform
- support to youth engagement and empowerment
- support to local media
- advancement of religious tolerance
- building awareness on corruption and conflict of interest.
Our Network[edit]
EPF is a member of Eurasia Partnership Foundation and Eurasia Foundation networks.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "About us I EPF". EPF Armenia. 28 August 2018.
- ↑ "Glossary of Hate Speech in the Media of Armenia and Azerbaijan I EPF". EPF Armenia. 28 August 2018.
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