EU to allocate EUR 1.5mln to reinforcing civil society in Armenia

The European Union is launching a grant program worth 1.5 million euros designed to strengthen the capacity of Armenian civil society, the head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Piotr Switalski, told journalists on Monday.

Speaking at a news conference Piotr Switalski said the EU strives to strengthen the potential of Armenian civil society, in particular, for monitoring of the EU-funded programs, including effective implementation of budget assistance projects.

He said the grant program will also support the projects that stimulate healthy lifestyle, healthy eating, environmental protection, improving the transport sector and the quality of life. He said the third goal is the strengthening of civil society through the diversification of its financial sources, for example, fundraising, crowd-funding and social entrepreneurship.

He added the program provides for provision of sub-grants to third parties, in particular, small regional NGOs. According to the head of the delegation, the EU is looking for innovative projects that will make Armenia more healthy, secure, clean and stable.

The program “Strengthening the civil society of Armenia” worth 1.5 million euros is part of a major program worth  4.4 million euros, part of which (worth 2.9 million euros) will be presented on Tuesday in the second largest town of Gyumri.