EURASIA FOUNDATION SUPPORTS RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

Armenpress
Sept 26 2006

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 26, ARMENPRESS: More than 190 NGOs and informal
community groups in Armenia’s regions will gain access to trainings
and resources through a program administered by Eurasia Foundation’s
(EF) representative office in Armenia, enabling them to play a more
effective role in the development of rural communities.

An official from the Foundation told Armenpress that a total of
$130,000 was awarded to nine organizations to build their ability to
serve as hubs and resource centers for local NGOs and citizens. The
grants will expand the services provided by these nine resources
centers, allowing them to provide trainings to local NGOs in skills
such as participatory needs assessments, program development and
fundraising, community mobilization, and monitoring and evaluation.

The centers will also provide basic support such as Internet access,
translation, and copy and fax services.

"By strengthening the capacities of local NGOs and citizen groups
to tackle issues of local importance, EF hopes to build local
ownership of the development process and engage community members
in the decision-making processes," says Ara Nazinyan, EF’s Country
Director in Armenia.

In order to ensure the long-term sustainability of each resource
center, the Foundation will also support capacity development
activities for each partner organization so that they can later provide
trainings and other services on a fee-for-service basis to other NGOs,
donors, businesses and community groups.

These organizations were identified by EF through an open grants
competition and selected due in large part to their strong potential
for organizational sustainability. They will be linked through network
of Resource Centers for Community Development to promote the exchange
of information and experiences between centers. The centers are:
NGO Center for Civil Society Development (Lori), Martuni Women’s
Community Council (Gegharkunik), Kaghni Social Ecological Governmental
Organization (Tavush), Huysi Kamar Gyullibulagh NGO (Shirak), Civil
Initiative Center Vahagni XXI NGO (Lori), Goris Youth Union Public
Organization (Syunik), Nvatshum Youth NGO (Tavush), the A.D.

Sakharov Armenian Human Rights Protection Center (Shirak), and Sisian
Development Center Public Organization (Syunik).

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress