Improving the capacity of local organizations through practical knowledge sharing – supporting the NGOs displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh

July 2023 - Present / Armenia

The overall goal of the two phased project is to provide essential theoretical and practical skills in fields such as grant writing, project management, strategic planning, communications and other relevant areas and increase the capacities of representatives of the NGOs and other non-profit organizations operating in less advantaged communities of Armenia, as well as non-profit representatives displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh. The project is implemented with the financial support of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Armenia.

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Expand The Efforts

Non-profit organizations are key actors in ensuring advocacy, tracking transparency of actions in their communities and local self-governments and fostering development and innovation. To support NGOs, local active groups (LAGs) and non-profit representatives displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh in their mission to improve various fields, ISSD implements a set of capacity development activities focusing on enhancing their essential skills. These include skills such as grant writing and donor relations, project and financial management, strategic planning, public relations and communications. Through a series of group hands-on trainings and individual consultations, the team enhances the skills of the selected stakeholders.

120+

Trainings and individual consulting sessions

60+

NGOs/active groups benefited

2

NGOs received funding

ISSD implements a set of capacity development activities focusing on enhancing essential skills.
These include skills such as:

Grant Writing

Donor Relations

Project and Financial Management

Strategic Planning

Public Relations and Communications

In 2023 after Armenia...

... faced a tremendous humanitarian crisis due to which over 100,000 people have been internally displaced, it was decided to adapt the project and support the NGOs and other non-profits displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh. Building upon this success, ISSD has expanded the initiative into 2024, focusing on improving the capacity of NGOs and other organizations from Nagorno-Karabakh by also offering small subgrants to implement new projects.

Upon participation in a set of training sessions under the project titled 'Improving the Capacity of Local Organizations Through Practical Knowledge Sharing, Phase 2 – Supporting NGOs Displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh' the non-profit representatives had an opportunity to apply for project grants with a total amount of 2,100,000AMD per grant. During the first closed grant competition two new projects were funded.

"Mission Artsakh" Educational NGO

received funding for its "Arusyak Children's Development Center" programme. This six-month initiative, implemented in Abovyan, Kotayk region, focuses on improving the quality and continuity of services provided by the center to children displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh.

"Power of Mind" Scientific and Educational NGO

was awarded a grant to assess, classify and raise awareness of the needs of displaced individuals from Nagorno-Karabakh and to propose appropriate solutions through various awareness raising and research activities.

The second call for proposals has been announced in December 2024 and the selected projects will receive the funding in early 2025. The updates about the selected projects will be available in February, 2025.

Project results

The project has been implemented in Tavush, Lori and Shirak regions, as well as in Yerevan. While the trainings in the regions focused on improving the capacity of the local organizations, the trainings in Yerevan targeted displaced non-profits from Nagorno-Karabagh. To further support these organizations, ISSD launches a number of calls among the stakeholders who participated in the trainings in Yerevan and provides assistance with their transition activities.

The project fosters a sense of ownership, empowers local non-profits and enables them to gain greater control over their own development opportunities both locally and nationally. Additionally, the project has facilitated the creation of a network of dedicated non-profit representatives operating in Armenia, including NGOs from Nagorno-Karabagh.

Upon completion of the course, the participants report:

  • Enhanced skills
  • Raised awareness
  • Improved work processes
  • Fostered coalitions/networks
  • Formulated strategy/approach
  • Implemented actions

Testimonials

Aramais

Aghabekyan

“The Power of Thought” NGO (Artsakh)

“The capacity building trainings organized by ISSD holds significant importance for NGOs relocating from Artsakh, serving as a foundational step for commencing activities in the Republic of Armenia from the right start. We're grateful for the opportunity to join an event of this level. Thank you for recognizing its importance”.

Arina Gabrielyan

“Education for Future” NGO (Artsakh)

“ISSD’s trainings were very informative, the staff were very professional and the environment was amiable. During the training, we received important knowledge about strategic project planning and financial management, which will certainly be applied to future activities of our organization”.

Arina Gabrielyan

“MilaGri” Foundation (Artsakh)

"I can definitely say that each of us should think about continuous self-education. This course was an unprecedented opportunity to enhance professional skills."

Media

“Arusyak Children's Development Center” program