EU-supported three-year project has laid the foundations for effective community–CSO–state cooperation

Within the framework of the three-year project “Partnership for Syunik: Enhanced Community-Based Social Services”, implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and funded by the European Union, new community-based social services have been piloted and introduced in Syunik region by local non-profits and municipalities.

In four communities in Syunik, new services were piloted directly by the municipalities themselves: a social taxi service in Sisian; hydrotherapy services and the construction of a swimming pool in Goris; a temporary accommodation service in Kapan; and an inclusive children’s centre in Meghri –.

The creative team at Armenpress covered these services during a media visit, which presented their impact, sustainability and importance for the communities.

The three-year project has contributed to the development of community-based social services in Syunik region by combining the efforts of the state, municipalities, and civil society. In cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, the project supported the piloting of new social services, the creation of opportunities for their sustainable financing, and the introduction of solutions tailored to local needs. At the same time, the project strengthened the capacities of local civil society organisations (CSOs), promoted the application of participatory approaches, and laid the foundations for effective community–CSO–state cooperation. The project was implemented by People in Need, Armenian Caritas, and Goris Winnet Development Foundation.

As a result of the implementation of the project, more than 15 CSOs improved their organisational capacities, and over 30 social sector staff from CSOs and municipalities enhanced their professional skills. CSOs received state certification for five social services, enabling a smooth transition from EU funding to long-term state financing.

In total, sub-grants worth €706,000 were provided to 19 organisations under the project, and more than 850 residents of Syunik region benefited from the new services.

Armenpress first visited Meghri, where it became acquainted with the activities of the inclusive children’s centre. Deputy Head of Meghri community, Armen Antonyan, noted in an interview that as soon as they saw the announcement, they began working with great enthusiasm, as the project is of great importance for Meghri community.

“We did not have such an inclusive centre, but there were children who needed it. During the project, socio-rehabilitation support was provided for children. Regardless of age, all issues affecting community members are, first and foremost, community issues. Therefore, the municipality, as a body focused on community development, was very willing to support the establishment of this service so that appropriate solutions could be provided to residents’ concerns,” said Antonyan.

He added that, based on the results, the municipality will continue to provide quality services and to support the development of this sector. Antonyan also noted that, according to a decision of the Meghri community council, the municipality is providing financial support through a 15–20% co-financing arrangement.

“The financial resources initially allocated for the establishment and operational phase of the centre have already been provided, and future funding will be ensured jointly by the municipality and the partner organisation,” he said.

At the centre, Lusine Gharakhanyan, a resident of Lehvaz, shared that after learning about the centre, she decided to bring her two children.

“There should be many such centres. My daughter has been attending since November 2025, from the day the centre opened, and my son has been attending for two months. My children feel more confident, have become more independent, and attend with joy because they receive support from a psychologist and a speech therapist. The positive changes are already noticeable,” said Gharakhanyan.

Parents of children attending the centre note that through direct work with the children, their communication skills develop, they express themselves more easily and participate in activities. Preschool-aged children in particular freely engage in age-appropriate activities.

Parents are convinced that significant positive changes are visible in their children: they do not fall behind their peers and integrate easily into mainstream schools. According to parents, the centre’s staff are very kind and caring. All children attend according to their interests and eagerly await each visit, as their enthusiasm is also driven by the warm attitude of the staff.

Paytsar Tumanyan a psychologist at the centre, said they work with 36 children, and that their professional capacities were taken into account from the outset.

“I have always enjoyed working with adolescents. They give me great strength, and together we overcome difficulties. This is a kind of life experience for them. The key to success is that everything here is done with love; staff invest their full potential to benefit the children and make their lives brighter. This is the first centre of its kind, in our community, to provide professional support to children. It is a safe environment, as society also consciously understands that certain challenges can be addressed precisely within this centre,” said Tumanyan.

In her view, the most important factor in daily work is love for children, and if children accept the staff, success is guaranteed. Children are very sensitive and know who they can work with based on warm communication.

“A child’s soul is the purest; therefore, they are able to make the right choices, and adults should respect those choices and give them due importance. We maintain contact with the people who use the centre after they complete the programme. Staff regularly visit them and are pleased to observe

that former children attending kindergarten or school have become significantly more independent and less dependent on their mothers. We also maintain contact by phone,” she added.

Thanks to the operation of the children’s inclusive centre, six of its participants have successfully integrated into social life without falling behind their peers.

The “Partnership for Syunik: Enhanced Community-Based Social Services” project is implemented within the framework of the Resilient Syunik Team Europe Initiative.

The Resilient Syunik Team Europe initiative is the joint undertaking of the European Union, the European Investment Bank and EU Member states Austria, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden, with Switzerland also joining as an external partner. The main objective of this initiative is to contribute to the sustainable socioeconomic and institutional development of the Syunik region in line with local development priorities.