Civil society organizations currently have serious problems of capacity building in the spheres of public oversight, expertise, formation of networks and other areas. Members of the Governing Board of the CSOs Anti-Corruption Coalition, who represent a number of key civil society organizations of Armenia. On 29 March the regular meeting of the focus group took place in the scope of “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project
Mr. Karen Zadoyan, the President of Armenian Lawyers; Association presented that the objective of the project is development of CSOs’ capacity. The project shall have 9 target areas, of which three areas have already been approved. The remaining six areas are currently being identified and studied.
A 34 months “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project, which is supported by the European Unian is implemented by a consortium of 6 organizations, which consists of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association; “AGORA CE” NGO (Czech Republic), Armenian Center for Democratic Education (CIVITAS), International Center for Human Development Public Organization, SME Cooperation Association, and Union of Communities of Armenia.
Training, based on the methodology developed by specialized university teaching will be conducted in the marzes and in Yerevan City aimed to build the capacity of CSOs.
The project envisaged creation of incubators in the marzes as well. Corresponding trainings and courses will be conducted on weekly basis through the internet. Experts of the respective fields shall conduct them. Webinars will held in certain intervals. Local experts or experts of “Agora Central Europe” Czech organization shall conduct them from Yerevan. Representatives of CSOs from marzes shall have opportunity to meet with government officials to discuss the issues raised by them. Those who need office space and access to computers will have that opportunity as well.
