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Funded by the European Union, three projects implemented by civil society organizations with a total budget of €8.8 million were launched in Armenia on January 23.
These projects aim to address the needs of refugees and host communities.
The launch event was attended by the Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, the Director for the Neighbourhood, Middle East, South-West, and Central Asia at DG ECHO Andreas Papaconstantinou and the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Armen Ghazaryan.
EU Ambassador Vassilis Maragos noted that the EU’s efforts in Armenia have already yielded significant results.
According to the Ambassador, the primary challenges to address are related to the inclusion of refugees. He emphasized that while considerable progress has been made, there remains room for improvement.
Mr. Maragos also shared that the budget support program, announced by the President of the European Commission in October 2023, has been fully allocated to the Government of Armenia. He expressed satisfaction with the agreement reached for the next phase of the €25 million budget support program.
Welcoming the participants, Mr. Papaconstantinou highlighted the EU’s responsibility in addressing the Nagorno-Karabakh refugee crisis amidst numerous challenges in the South Caucasus.
“It is a great honor to be here today, reflecting the European Union’s continued strong commitment to supporting Armenia and those in need. My mission follows visits by numerous high-level EU representatives and underscores our shared determination to address both the immediate humanitarian needs and the long-term development of Armenia’s disaster management system,” he said.
Mr. Papaconstantinou also mentioned his meeting with Armenians displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh, recounting the trauma and suffering he witnessed: “When you talk to these individuals, they show courage and resilience, but they soon become emotional, recalling their losses and the complexity of their future after the collapse of their lives.”
He emphasized the vital role of Armenia’s vibrant civil society in supporting EU initiatives. Additionally, he stressed the need for a sensitive and tailored approach to ensure social cohesion: “Social cohesion is a primary goal and an essential condition for the successful integration of refugees. Our funding will complement the significant initiatives being launched today. These actions are part of a broader, long-term transition strategy.”
The projects, with a total budget of €8.8 million, aim to address the needs of refugees and host communities. Specifically: "Fostering Sustainable Livelihoods, Business Growth, and Employment Opportunities for Displaced and Host Communities" focuses on creating sustainable livelihoods, promoting business growth, and generating employment opportunities; "RISE – Armenia" aims to enhance local social protection systems, broaden access to social care and socio-rehabilitation services, and strengthen the capacity of social workers; "Human Rights for and with Refugees" seeks to protect the rights of refugees and ensure their access to essential resources.