Study Visit to Brussels
04 December 2024, Wednesday |
In October 2024, Rachel Bass, a Program Manager from the Near East Foundation (NEF)’s headquarters, visited NEF’s team in Armenia. The purpose of the visit was to hold a team workshop to inform future projects, as well as to have the chance to monitor and experience the previous and current projects in person.
During this trip, Rachel had the opportunity to visit civil society-led initiatives implemented within the framework of the "Strive for a better future:Communities and Civil Society Resilience in Armenia" ("STRIVE") program co-funded by the EU.
The visits were planned in Yerevan and nearby regions to civil society organizations supported through the "Emergency Response", "Organizational Model Innovation", and "Civic Innovation Journey" components of the STRIVE program.
In Yerevan, Rachel was impressed by the impact of initiatives implemented by the "Disability Rights Agenda" NGO with two sub-grants awarded through the STRIVE Challenge Fund for Emergency Response; the most recent of which is the "Independence and Dignity in Everyday Life through Assistive Devices" project, which provided in-kind assistive devices for dressing and eating and developed related user guides for displaced persons with disabilities. Due to her interest in the rights of persons with disabilities, Rachel also appreciated hearing from the NGO’s president, Mushegh, about DRA’s other work that includes research and legal advocacy.
In Aragatsotn Marz, Rachel visited the "Progress" youth NGO, which recently received a sub-grant through STRIVE’s "Organizational Model Innovation" component. During the meeting, the NGO representatives reflected about their experience participating in the project and shared their insights related to youth programming and advocacy in Aragatsotn. The next visit in the same region was the "TATEVER" project implemented by informal initiative groups within the framework of the "Civic Innovation Journey" component. Here, Rachel and the representatives of the STRIVE team were welcomed with traditional bread served with salt. After a warm greeting, the students from three age groups presented Armenian traditional, national dances organized through the project – while wearing beautiful, handmade costumes.
In Ararat Marz, Rachel attended the opening ceremony of a computer room renovated through the “For the Youth in Sipanik” project implemented by "QEN" and "SIE Yerevan Club" informal initiative groups. The room, which was equipped with the support of the Masis consolidated community, now serves as a youth center for further activities of the new informal group initiated by Sipanik youth during the implementation of the project.
During the event, an interesting conversation took place between the young people and the guests. The young people clearly presented the problems of the community and their willingness to be involved in the solutions. At the end of the event, the young people – who ranged between 11 and 15 years old – received certificates of participation in the courses on various topics of civil society held within the project. One of the young participants also shared his musical gifts by singing two songs to his peers and the guests.
The NEF Armenia team was excited to host Rachel and introduce her to the impact of the work done. The team was particularly thrilled by Rachel's feedback letter, saying: "Shat shnorhakalutyun (“Thanks a lot” in Armenian) for your hospitality, insights, and other support during my recent visit to Yerevan. It was a pleasure to be with you again and to see some of our work in person!"
“STRIVE” project is co-funded by the European Union and implemented by NEF-Belgium (NEF) and four local partners: “Agate” Rights Defense Center for Women with Disabilities NGO, “Blejan” Ecological, Social, Business Support NGO, ''WINNET Goris'' Development Foundation and “YCCD” Youth Cooperation Center of Dilijan NGO.