Opening of the second round of CSO incubators in the scope of the “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project was held on May 10. The opening was held simultaneously in Yerevan, Vanadzor, Gavar, Gyumri and Kapan.
During the event held in Yerevan, “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project Manager, President of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association Karen Zadoyan mentioned that Civil society organizations (CSO) incubators are aimed at promoting CSO capacity building and enhancing efficiency of their activities.
According to Karen Zadoyan, all possible support will be provided to incubators, in particular, “Consultations on sectoral legislation, conflicts of interest, whistleblowing system will be held. In addition there will be trainings on fundraising and developmental procedures. Also individual capacity plan development will be practiced to understand what your target will be in public policy development or monitoring areas.”
He also presented CSO incubators’ mission, which is to provide professional and technical assistance to Armenian CSOs to develop their capacities in 9 target sectors and 4 thematic areas below:
- Monitoring of Public Budgets and Policies;
- Evidence Based Policy development;
- Creation and/or Development of Coalition,
- Constructive participation / dialogue with the government and local self-governance bodies in the process of public policy development.
Karen Zadoyan also said that the term for applications for grants CSO coalitions in 2 target areas: justice and public finance management within the framework of the project was extended from April 30 until May 15.
CSO incubators will be held in two stages in the following five cities: Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor, Gavar and Kapan. 36 CSOs, which will be selected, from the CSOs that completed the training organised by the American University of Armenia will participate in each phase. Upon completion of the CSO incubators, a total of 33 grants will be provided on a competitive basis. It is planned to provide 16-17 grants in each stage.
CSOs of Tavush Marz will attend the incubator in Vanadzor; Aragatsotn CSOs, based on their geographical location, will participate in the incubators in Yerevan, Gyumri and Vanadzor cities, and Vayots Dzor CSOs, based on their geographical location, will attend the incubators in Kapan or Yerevan.
