Capacity-Building Support for the “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities” NGO
Objective 1: To contribute to strengthening the transparency and accountability of electoral processes in northern Armenia by monitoring the abuse of administrative resources and external influence, collecting evidence-based data, and presenting it to relevant stakeholders.
Objective 2: To strengthen the capacities of the “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities” NGO to promote electoral accountability and integrity in Armenia by ensuring the inclusion of voters with disabilities.
Sub-objective 2.1: Establishment of an Election Observation System
To develop a comprehensive guide and procedures for conducting election observation, including a methodology for monitoring the participation of voters with disabilities.
Sub-objective 2.2: Improvement of Strategic Planning
To review and update the organization’s strategic plan by clearly defining priorities aimed at promoting inclusion in electoral processes.
Duration: 5 months, February 7 – June 7, 2026
Target group: The staff of the “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities” NGO; residents of Gyumri, Vanadzor, and Tashir, especially voters affected by public programs; local CSOs; activists; independent journalists; members of community councils; staff of community non-commercial organizations; election observers; and other organizations working in the field of democratic development.
Implementation locations: Vanadzor, Tashir, Gyumri
The “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities” NGO is implementing this project jointly with the “Direct Democracy” NGO.
A two-day training will be organized for the staff of the “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities” NGO. As a result, together with an expert, a procedure and guide for monitoring electoral processes and conducting observation missions will be developed.
It is planned that three staff members of the organization will participate in a strategic planning training. Based on the knowledge gained, and with the involvement of other staff members, the organization’s strategy for the next five years will be developed.
Monitoring of the social sector is being carried out in the communities of Vanadzor, Tashir, and Gyumri, including:
monitoring the number of social assistance allocations and beneficiaries;
analysis of the annual plans and strategic programs of the communities;
comparative analysis of social assistance provided, based on data from the previous and current years.
The collected information and analysis are consolidated into a comprehensive report to be submitted to the partner organization for summarizing the research findings.
Results
Guide for Monitoring and Observing Electoral Processes
With the support of the two-day training and an expert, a procedure and guide for monitoring electoral processes and conducting observation missions were developed, strengthening the NGO’s capacity to carry out observation missions.
Review of the NGO’s Strategic Plan
Based on the trainings and the knowledge gained, and with the involvement of the NGO staff, the organization’s strategy for the next five years was developed.
Analytical Report on the Social Sector
Based on the monitoring and data collection conducted in the social sector in the communities of Vanadzor, Tashir, and Gyumri, a comprehensive analytical report was prepared and submitted to the partner organization for the purpose of assessing and improving social assistance programs.
The project is implemented with the financial support of the European Union and Equal Rights and Independent Media (ERIM).