In order to ensure continuous operations and enabling environment for network creation between current and emerging CSOs within the center, the CSSP Strategy envisions a number Capacity Building Study Tours involving the CSSP’s personnel, representatives of CSOs and wider circle of civil society actors.

Eurasia Partnership Foundation in Armenia (EPF) has been identified as a hosting agency for the first Study Tour of this kind, due to a) EPF’s extensive experience in supporting the development of civil society in Armenia, in particular through the USAID-funded ‘Civil Society Development Program’ (CSO DePo); b) EPF’s close contacts established with diverse civil society institutions in Armenia, including a network of eight EPF-stablished Information Centers (InfoTuns) and other trusted partners located throughout Armenia; c) EPF’s extensive experience in designing and managing peacebuilding initiatives with involvement of local actors from the region of the South Caucasus and beyond.

Main goals of the Study Tour:

• Learn about EPF’s experience in building its own sustainability (including programme portfolio diversification, team building, fundraising, networking, communication)

• Learn about the strategies and tools that EPF uses to strengthen the internal capacity of a number of key Armenian CSOs to advance their sustainability and their service provision quality, which will include introduction to effective fundraising and programme management, financial management tips, effective communication, importance of internal procedures, etc.

• Learn about the best practices of CSOs in Armenia through site-visits to a number of EPF’s InfoTuns and other trusted CSOs that are engaged in developing civil society in Armenia and/or are focusing on issues such as youth work, disability issues, gender issues, etc. 

• Discuss future opportunities for cooperation between the Center “Prospect” and EPF.

Selection of participants:

Selection of participants was made in a gender-sensitive may, with priority given to women and women/youth-led organizations. Other than that, the participants of the Study Tour have been selected based on the following criteria:

• The respective local CSO is already running its own center in different regions of Abkhazia and/or the CSO demonstrates an extensive outreach work and/or good potential for launching their own centers;

• Willingness to apply new knowledge in daily work;
• Willingness to share information and experience;

Participants of the info-tour visited a number of CSOs:      

• Armenian Association of Social Workers
• Armavir Development Center
• Sakharov Center for Human Rights- Gyumri 
• Shirak Center – Gyumri 
• Martuni Women’s Community Center

In pursuing the objectives of CSSP, the programme, apart from its capacity and networking-building components comprising a series of trainings and study tours, also incorporates the Grant Mechanism aiming to support at least 20 initiatives in all 7 districts in Abkhazia, that address a diverse spectrum of locally identified needs (social, cultural and economic).

CSO Development

The aim of the CSO Development training was to provide CSOs and local civic activists with relevant knowledge on the functions and goals of a robust civil society as well as familiarize them with technical aspects related to registration and management of CSOs.

The Training included 2 series of 2-day trainings in CSO Development to 2 groups (up to 20 beneficiaries in each group).

Project Development

The aim of the Training was to provide CSOs with deeper understanding of project development concept and process and sharpen project proposal development skills.

The Training included:

1. Two 3-day PD training to 2 groups of CSO representatives

2. Two 2-day PPDS training to 2 groups of CSO representatives

Agenda of PD trainings included the topics:

• Introduction to PD skills

• Steps to develop a project proposal;

• Tools for problem assessment and analysis;

• Resources assessment;

• Understanding of Project Design (Logical models; Theory of change; Logical Framework tool)

• Project Strategy;

• Risk assessment/feasibility

• Introduction to M&E

• Result- oriented approach to project development;

• Indicators, Baseline and Targets

• M&E methodologies

• Monitoring of performance (inputs and activities) and results (outputs, outcomes, impact)

Project Planning Trainings

The aim of the Trainings was to provide CSOs, initiative groups, think-tanks, expert communities, public activists and etc.) demonstrating willingness to develop and submit the project proposals for receiving funding under CSSP Grant Mechanism, with knowledge on how to develop quality proposals that are relevant to the objectives of the Call.

The focus of PP trainings was placed on providing guidance and technical assistance to the applicants in identification and collection of relevant information/evidence to be reflected in a project proposal template, to ensure that the latter is clear, concise and meets the defined criteria.

The PP trainings included the topics:

• Situation analysis and selection of objectives;

• Selection of methodology;

• Implementation planning (development of an activity plan);

• Project budgeting

Online consultations were provided by International Trainer to those applicants, who successfully underwent the preselection process.