The European Union Launches New Civil Society Actions to Support Refugees in Armenia
On 23 January 2025, the European Union Delegation to Armenia announced the launch of three new projects designed to address the needs of refugees from Nagorno Karabakh. These initiatives, implemented by local and international civil society organizations (CSOs), demonstrate the EU’s ongoing commitment to fostering economic integration, promoting social inclusion, and safeguarding the fundamental rights of refugees.
The “Human Rights for and with Refugees” project is one of these three initiatives. It focuses on empowering refugees by providing essential knowledge about their rights, addressing vulnerabilities, and improving access to user-friendly resources on their entitlements and opportunities. The project is implemented by Democracy Development Foundation, Estonian Refugee Council, Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women, and Commit Global.
During the launch event, EU Ambassador to Armenia Vassilis Maragos and DG ECHO Director for the Neighbourhood, Middle East, South-West, and Central Asia, Andreas Papaconstantinou, reaffirmed the EU’s dedication to fostering sustainable future for refugees and ensuring no one is left behind.
Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Anna Zhamakochyan, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Armen Ghazaryan, and Head of the Migration and Citizenship Service Nelly Davtyan, who attended the event, reaffirmed the commitment of the Armenian government to the integration and inclusion of refugees, highlighting the importance of cooperation between the government, development partners, and civil society.
Alen Shadunts, a representative of the Democracy Development Foundation, presented the objectives and expected results of the three-year”Human Rights with and for Refugees” project, implemented by DDF and partner CSOs. The goal of the project is to contribute to the effective protection of refugees’ rights by ensuring their access to necessary information and services, and through their empowerment.
As a result of the three-year project, it is expected that 200 refugees will be involved in advocacy, the capacity of 220 young refugees will be strengthened, 30 youth-led projects will be developed and implemented, access to necessary services will be ensured for 700 people from different vulnerable groups, access to medical services will be improved, and 20,000+ refugees will have easier access to information, guidance, and services.
Photos: European Union Delegation