Rainbow Resilience

From April through this October, Armenian Progressive Youth NGO, in partnership with the local youth initiative Queerlab Armenia and with financial support from the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe, launched the “Rainbow Resilience: Fostering Mental Health of LGBTIQ+ Youth through Non-Formal Education“ – a first-of-its-kind project in the organization’s youth work journey.

The project aims to create a supportive, inclusive, and safer space for LGBTIQ+ (an acronym for persons who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex or queer) young people across Yerevan and 10 regions of Armenia, promoting their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It also seeks to foster meaningful connections and strengthen community resilience.

At its core, Rainbow Resilience focuses on advancing LGBTIQ+ inclusion in youth work and non-formal education throughout Armenia.

The first phase of the project featured the successful Rainbow Resilience Queer Summer Camp, held from July 12 to 17 in the bright, sunny city of Vanadzor in the Lori region. This enriching gathering united 25 young queer community members, youth workers, and activists, offering a range of activities designed to promote mental and emotional well-being.

The program featured a diverse range of activities, including mindfulness practices, yoga, meditation, and relaxation exercises. We also explored practical tools to support the mental health of LGBTIQ+ youth, emphasizing the essential role we play as activists, youth workers, and educators in promoting mental well-being within our communities.

The camp welcomed both newcomers and familiar faces from our past activities. Our time together was dedicated to fostering self-care and building resilience through practices designed to manage daily stresses and the growing uncertainties of the future.

Following the camp, participants have begun transforming their ideas into action through various follow-up initiatives. These include queer yoga and meditation group sessions, peer-to-peer support groups, and the creation of a sticker set featuring messages on mental health. Some are also in the process of developing a mental health awareness campaign, while others are contributing to the creation of a Mental Health Toolkit, which will be released soon.

We decided to highlight some of the testimonies of participants who openly shared their experiences and key takeaways from the camp. Their stories aim to inspire others to join our upcoming camps this winter and next summer.

Here’s what they had to say:

Ruben, a youth worker from Ejmiatsin, Armavir region

Being part of the self-care camp was a truly valuable experience for me as a youth worker. It deepened my understanding of mental health and provided me with important tools for working mindfully with the queer community. Even as a queer person myself, I realized there was so much I didn’t fully grasp about the challenges that many queer people face in Armenia. This camp has given me the knowledge and skills I need to better work with queer people moving forward.

Anush, a social worker, Sexual Assault Crisis Center NGO from Sevan, Gegharkunik

Mental health is a fundamental aspect of our sense of peace. Queer individuals living in patriarchal, traditional, and closed societies like Armenian society face numerous obstacles, including fear, insecurity, anxiety, and a high risk of abandonment and rejection. These challenges contribute to significant mental health burdens. In such circumstances, the role of helping professionals, particularly social workers and psychologists, becomes crucial, especially when they employ sensitive approaches.

Social work is a professional practice focused on helping individuals in risky situations navigate difficult life challenges through professional support. It provides them with the space to be vulnerable, to grieve their losses, to allow themselves to “be sad and do nothing,” and then, together, to rise and move forward. This professional support is often vital in the lives of queer people.

Siranush, a project participant from Yerevan

During the camp, I learned anti-stress exercises, and gained valuable insights during the Healthy Relationships seminar, which helped me re-evaluate the importance of mutual support. The art therapy session impressed me the most. It was about connecting with oneself, understanding self-perception, and embracing self-love. I’m excited to continue exploring it on my own and would love to experience it again.

Such camps as this one offer the opportunity to connect with new and diverse people, explore new tools, and learn to take better care of yourself in a holistic way. You listen to different opinions, and decide whether you agree or not.

Nare, a project participant, painter from Yerevan

Self care is a safe space. This is why APY gathered all of us and took us to Vanadzor. The trip was accessible to everyone so even if you’re struggling financially or didn’t have a safe bedroom at home you could still come and get away from everything. The Vanadzor trip with this group was my longest summer vacation where I met new friends and people I admire. Our facilitators generously shared techniques for managing stress and tapping into your body’s resources.

Emma, a stand-up artist from Gavar, Gegharkunik

Self-care is a topic that we often overlook or push to the background. As we realized during the camp, it’s something we did not learn from our parents. Therefore, it’s essential to explore different self-care practices through camps like this one.

I really enjoyed the body theater and yoga sessions. Overall, the camp was well-organized and very productive.

Ghazar, a youth worker from Yerevan

During those summer days, I experienced one of my most memorable camps in the heart of Vanadzor city. The camp focused on self-care, where we shared our routines and experiences on how we care for ourselves and explored various techniques. In the relaxing atmosphere, we got to know each other better, cared for one another, and released our thoughts and worries, becoming more open to new things. Topics like nonviolent communication, yoga, and body therapy made me consider how to incorporate them into my daily work as a youth worker.

In Armenia, there are very few safe and welcoming spaces for queer people or allies, so this camp was a rare opportunity for me to connect, work, and relax with others from my community who are also actively involved in the youth sector or activism in general.

Araqs, a project participant

I am very impressed with the camp. Since self-care, whether physical or psychological, is very important to me, I was thrilled that this was the camp’s theme. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet new people, share experiences, and finally relieve some of the tension within myself and just breathe. The camp served its purpose, which is exactly why I came.

“Many youth organizations hesitate to openly embrace or include queer youth, often avoiding projects or events centered around LGBTIQ+ inclusion. This mindset needs to change. It’s crucial for youth workers in Armenia to receive training and be prepared to support and work with queer youth, fostering an inclusive environment for all”, says Nelly, the Educational Coordinator of the project.

Media Literacy Ambassadors of Tavush, Gegharkunik and Syunik

In November of last year with the financial support of European Youth Foundation, we have kicked off
“Media Literacy Ambassadors: Advancing Media Literacy and Digital Participation among Regional Youth
in Armenia” project that aims to equip young people in 3 borderline regions of Armenia (Syunik,
Gegharkunik and Tavush) with key media literacy skills: critical thinking, fact checking, online safety,
social media verification, and quality assessment of online information and their sources through a 7-
day dedicated training course, tailored to local youth needs.
After the Training Course our young regional participants started their own small initiatives becoming
young media literacy ambassadors in their communities. We decided to talk to few of them to see how
“far” they have gone.

Laura Mkrtchyan
My name is Laura, I am 17 years old and I study in the 11th grade of Gavar Secondary School. I am
actively involved in volunteering activities and also take part in many interesting projects. I have not
selected the main field of my future studies yet, because I see myself in many different sectors, that is
why I still continue to study different topics to find the one which is the closest to my heart. I want to
develop myself as a self-taught person and I always like to share new knowledge with my friends,
classmates, and young people in my community.
Participating in the “Media Literacy Ambassadors: Advancing Media Literacy and Digital Participation
among Regional Youth in Armenia” project hosted by APY, I gained a lot of knowledge about media. This
project has been very exceptional for me since I have participated with big interest in the topic and I am
delighted to have had the opportunity to participate in the project.
Right after the end of the training, I started organizing local workshops in my community in Gavar,
transferring the knowledge I gained to the youth of my community. In addition, I helped the adults to
distinguish between fake and real social media pages and posts on social networks.
In the future, I’m going to organize more trainings and meetings, because media literacy is a very
demanded topic in our current reality. We are all a part of social media and we often become victims of
fake news and other threats present on social media. Let’s altogether create more media literate
Armenia.

Sona Bakunts
Hello, my name is Sona, I am from Syunik, from the depths of deep mountains. I lived and grew up in the
Verishen community. I am currently a student, studying at the State University of Goris, Department of
Armenian Language and Literature. At the same time, I work in the ‘’Bari Sirt’’ Charitable Foundation as
a programs coordinator. I have many hobbies – dancing, doing sports, reading, etc.
Last year, in November I participated in one-week “Media Literacy Ambassadors” Training activity
organized by my very favorite APY NGO.
As a result of the training, we gained a lot of knowledge about media, we raised important media
literacy issues, got a full understanding of the field, as we had learned to create podcasts, and studied
one of the most important and actual topics of nowadays – cyber security.
After completing the course, I carried out large-scale activities. I have organized numerous knowledge-
based courses for students of Artsakh State University, students of Verishen Secondary School, staff of
Verishen Elementary School, women employees of Faberlic Company and Soft Martakert in the field of
media literacy and cybersecurity.

Heriknaz Arzumanyan
My name is Heriknaz and I am an SMM Specialist. I also deliver trainings of Computer Science and Media
Literacy. I have been working as an SMM specialist for about 4 years. After the “Media Literacy
Ambassadors” TC in cooperation with “The Armenian Center for Human Rights Protection after A. D.
Sakharov’’ NGO in Syunik region, we have conducted 4 trainings and created 2 videos on fact-checking
and media literacy using the presentations of the project.
Several workshops were held in Goris, as well as in the villages of Karahunj and Akner. I also conducted 1
workshop in the border village of Vaghatur.
In the near future, I plan to conduct online training courses for the border villages of the Tegh
community, also in Goris, as I have a preliminary agreement with the youth of Hrant Baghdagulyan’s
Studio, according to which non-formal seminars are allowed to be conducted.

Lilit Shahbazyan
My name is Lilit, I am a social pedagogue by profession. I work as a social worker at the “Little Prince”
social center in Gavar city of Gegharkunik region, which is a branch of the “Armenian Caritas” charitable
NGO. Participating in the “Media Literacy Ambassadors” training course conducted by “Armenian
Progressive Youth” NGO in November of last year, on February 2-7 of of this year, I conducted my own
seminar on “Media Literacy” for the students of the “Little Prince” Center in Gavar of the Armenian
Caritas.
During the training we studied how to navigate through online resources and websites, fact-checking,
digital marketing, podcasts, and cyber ​​security.
Every workshop included practical tasks, expanding participants’ skills and abilities, enriching their
knowledge.

Nona Mirzoyan
I am Nonna from Goris community, I am a literture critic by profession, but I have been working in the
field of public relations and media for 5 years already, working in the public relations and media
department of Goris State University as a person in charge.
Currently, as a volunteer for Sose Women Issues NGO, I work in the public sphere, participating in
various NGO programs aimed at creating a healthy civil society environment in the region, youth
activism, and improving youth participation in community issues.
I am currently taking English language courses as well. I am a life-loving, dreamy person, I like to sing,
dance, recite and travel.
2021 In November 2021, I participated in the ” Media Literacy Ambassadors” program of the “Armenian
Progressive Youth” NGO, being trained by a group of talented young people from different regions of
Armenia by leading specialists in the Armenian media sector. With one of the participants representing
Syunik, Melanya Tosyan, who has been presenting to the program, since December 2021, we have
conducted “Media Literacy” courses in Shinuhair, Halidzor settlements of Tat community, Syunik region.
conveying to them what was enthusiastically accepted by the participants, as I would like to mention
that there were also suggestions from the management of other schools, which, depending on some
technical issues, we have not implemented yet.
We have launched the “Media Literacy on the Border” page on the Facebook social platform (again with
Melania), where we regularly present the courses we have conducted and provide media knowledge to
our followers through various interesting publications, who are mainly media consumers in Syunik
region.
Frankly, due to material means, we have interrupted some of our work, with the intention of continuing
in the future if there are means.
I should mention that the media sphere has big gaps in the region, we became more convinced of that
after the organization of the courses.
In the coming months I am going to continue my volunteer work within the framework of the mentioned
programs, to have a main job in the public sphere, to organize media courses, as well as to continue my
education in this direction.

Աուդիտի Գնանշման հարցում

Գնանշման հարցում։ Աուդիտի իրականացման համար

1․ Ներածություն

«Հայ առաջադեմ երիտասարդություն» հասարակական կազմակերպությունն իրականացնում է գնանշման հարցում՝ աուդիտորական ծառայությունների իրականացման նպատակով։
Հաղթող է ճանաչվում այն անձը/կազմակերպությունը, որը կներկայացնի նվազագույն գին։

2․ Ծրագրի մասին տեղեկատվություն

  • Ծրագրի անվանում՝ Փոփոխության դերակատարները. ուսանողական ակտիվիզմի խթամումը Հայաստանում:
  • Ֆինանսավորող կողմ՝ Չեխիայի, Հունգարիայի, Լեհաստանի և Սլովակիայի կառավարությունների կողմից՝
    Վիշեգրադ միջազգային հիմնադրամ: Հիմնադրամի առաքելությունն է Կենտրոնական Եվրոպայում կայուն
    տարածաշրջանային համագործակցության գաղափարների առաջխաղացումը:
  • Ծրագրի տևողություն (փաստացի հիմնական ժամանակահատված)՝ 10 ամիս։
  • Ծրագրի բյուջե՝ 26,709 (EUR) համարժեք դրամ։
  • Փաստացի կատարված ծախսեր՝ 26,709 (EUR) համարժեք դրամ։
  • Կից հավելվածներով ներկայացվում ենք նաև լրացուցիչ փաստաթղթեր (Audit guidelines, Audit
    report    )    ։

3․ Դիմելու գործընթացը

Հետաքրքրված անձինք [email protected] էլ․ փոստի հասցեին պետք է ուղարկեն կնքված և
հաստատված գնային առաջարկը:

Հաղթող է ճանաչվելու ամենացածր գին առաջարկող մասնակիցը:

Հայտերի ընդունման վերջնաժամկետն է` 18.11.2021:

«Հայ առաջադեմ երիտասարդություն» ՀԿ-ի մասին կարող եք հավելյալ տեղեկատվություն ստանալ հետևյալ հղումով՝ https://apy.am/:

Հետադարձ կապ՝
Հայկ Խաչատրյան
Հեռ. 091-20-56-20

Welcoming 200 New Members at APY, Hosting an International Training Course and Launching 3 Exciting Brand-New Schools in Armenia

The 16th of October 2021 has been a very remarkable day on the calendar of the Armenian Progressive Youth, since 200 young people joined our organization, and we formed a big new family. The Membership Ceremony has been a real opportunity for our newly selected members to explore in which possible directions they can be active, get non-formal education and give back to society.

After successfully finishing our annual Membership Ceremony, we kicked off the training course ‘Diverse and Inclusive Youth Work for All’, or simply the DIY. This ongoing project targets 30 young workers, young trainers, and educators to equip them with diversity orientation, diversity management, diversity-oriented awareness and attitudes, as well as key tools and methods in the work with young people across EU and EU Neighboring countries.

In parallel with our ongoing international project, we have launched a call for participants for the training course ‘Media Literacy Ambassadors’, which is going to take place from 5 to 12 November 2021. The training course is aimed at developing competences among youth from regions of Armenia in the field of media literacy, digital literacy, as well as cyber literacy.

The young people from regions of Armenia will have another incredible opportunity as well, which will develop their social and leadership skills and help them to set right career goals for the future. This ‘Employment School’ will be held in Yerevan from November to December 2021.

Whereas our ‘Employment School’ targets young people from 18-25 years old, with the ‘Adolescents Empowerment School’ we target people aged between 15-19. In the frames of this initiative, the adolescents will learn about financial literacy, will explore volunteering opportunities, and get professional orientation counselling starting from the 1st of November 2021 in Yerevan.

As it has always been the case, the Armenian Progressive Youth strongly believes that youth is not the future, but the present. Therefore, we continue to enable and empower youth to be present and be the actors of change in societies and communities in all possible ways.

Ծառայությունների և ապրանքների ձեռքբերման գնանշման հարցման հրավեր

«Հայ Առաջադեմ Երիտասարդություն» ՀԿ-ի կարիքների համար հայտարարվում է հետևյալ ծառայությունների և ապրանքների գնանշման հարցում՝

1. Տպագրական, հրատարակչական և դիզայներական ծառայություններ – գնանշման հարցում
2. Հյուրանոցային ծառայություններ – գնանշման հարցում
3. Տրանսպորտային ծառայություններ – գնանշման հարցում
4. Գրենական պարագաների ձեռքբերում – գնանշման հարցում

Առաջարկվող Ապրանքները և ծառայությոևնները պետք է ուսումնասիրվեն՝ ելնելով գնանշման ամբողջականությունից և համապատասխանությունից նկարագրված պահանջներին։ Կընտրվի այն գնանշումը, որը համապատասխանում է բոլոր պահանջներին և առաջարկում է ամենացածր գինը, ինչպես նաև բավարարում է գնահատման նշված այլ չափանիշներ։ Ցանկացած առաջարկ, որը չի բավարարում պահանջները, կմերժվի։

Գնանշման հարցմանը մասնակցել ցանկացող կազմակերպությունները կարող են լրացնել կից ձևաթղթերը և վերջիններիս էլեկտրոնային տարբերակներն ուղարկել [email protected] էլեկտրոնային հասցեով, բնօրինակներն ուղարկել հետևյալ հասցեով` ք. Երևան, Կողբացի 39, «Հայ առաջադեմ երիտասարդություն» ՀԿ, մինչև 2017 թվականի դեկտեմբերի 15-ը:

Մրցույթին մասնակցելու և/կամ ձևաթղթերի լրացման հետ կապված հարցերի դեպքում կարող եք զանգահարել յուրաքանյչուր աշխատանքային օր ժամը 15։00-ից 19։00-ը «Հայ առաջադեմ երիտասարդություն» ՀԿ Ծրագրերի համակարգող Աննա Թովմասյանին` +37410 539204 հեռախոսահամարով:

Վերը նշված ապրանքների/ծառայությունների գնումն իրականացվում է «ՄասնակցուՄԵՆՔ» սոցիալական ձեռնարկատիրության և ակտիվ քաղաքացիության ծրագրի շրջանակներում, որը ֆինանսավորվում է Եվրոպական Միության կողմից` «Աջակցություն Հայաստանի Հանրապետության քաղաքացիական հասարակության կազմակերպությունների կարողությունների հզորացմանը» ծրագրի շրջանակներում:

Managing Diversity: 500 young people reached through 19 local projects

After several months of hard work, series of trainings and local ground work, we have concluded our “Managing Diversity” project – a long term training course working with youth workers, youth trainers and educators. “Managing Diversity” involved 26 youth workers and educators from 13 different countries to develop their diversity management skills and support in learning how to implement a culture of diversity in their working environments.
Following the Introductory Training in the Netherlands this August, participants have implemented 19 community projects back to their countries during September and, finally, traveled to Armenia in the end of October to present the impact of their projects and their learning achievements.
Following the successful implementation of small projects, the project results were evaluated and presented to public during a Closing Event. The public event was attended by young people, representatives of NGO’s and international organizations, media and partners.
Nelly Paytyan, the Project Coordinator from Armenian Progressive Youth NGO believes that “Managing Diversity” is a good tool to counter widespread stereotypes in our societies: “Promoting diversity matters and will matter until young people in our societies face discrimination, ignorance and life burdens based on their nationality, ethnic, cultural and religious background, social status, as well as their gender identity and sexual orientation. I believe, everyone who joined this project agrees that embracing diversity, inclusiveness, sensitivity, equity and solidarity in our daily lives and work with young people matter nowadays more than ever”.
Karine Grigoryan, a trainee from Armenia, took part in all three activities of the project. Following the training in the Netherlands, she organized professional orientation activity for young people with disabilities. Karine says: “My desire of implementing this activity was based on my belief, that no matter the type of the disability, people can discover the satisfaction that often comes from realizing and using their strongest abilities and skills”.
Through her project Karine targeted young people with physical disabilities and learning difficulties. As she mentions, “the activity helped the participants to understand what kind of personality and qualifications they have, what they are good at, what they enjoy and what are the possible occupations they may have in the future”. Karines project helped the participants to improve their job searching and employability skills. In particular they learned how to write CV, learned about some job searching websites which they can occasionally browse and look for a job that fits their skills and abilities”.
Martijn Bergsma, the Project Coordinator from the Netherlands shared some information about how the partners and participants were chosen: “In the beginning we made an open call looking for partners who would be interested to join this project. After selecting the partners and approval of the project, we have also announced an open call for participants to make sure the project is inclusive and open for everyone involving those people who really need it”.

Fabio Di Benedetto, our participant from Italy have decided to work with young emigrants back to his hometown in Sicily. Fabio organized an Intercultural day that involved 8 local youngsters and 8 unaccompanied foreign minors. There are about 15.000 unaccompanied foreign minors in Italy, one third of them living in Sicily. They come mostly from African countries and due to very weak integration policies of the Italian government, they don’t have interactions with the local youngsters.
Fabio describes his experience with an excitement: “For the first time youngsters had a chance to talk to each other and get to know each other. They had various backgrounds but during the event they have found out that they are not so different”.

Another participant from Romania, Maria Carbunaru implemented an improvisational theatre in Romania involving Roma children. Maria says: “The Theater included Roma kids from poor families and orphanages. They spent a day by doing improvisational theater. In the end of the day they were happy and it made me feel good”.
Neel Klappe, one of the trainers from the Netherlands, thinks that it’s great that the project had concluded in Armenia. “It really makes project more powerful and impactful. I realized how you can do great things when you have a motivation. Through local projects we have realized what we can change and how many people we can reach. This makes me proud”, she says.
Rodrigo from Portugal says that the whole experience gained during the project can simply be put in one word – “memorable”. Rodrigo organized a small surfing event with children with disabilities. Currently, he is trying to design a bigger project. The idea is to have a training course on personal development and social inclusion of children with disabilities.
National minorities were not left out of attention as well. Carlos, from Portugal, has worked with representatives of different nationalities living in Portugal, organizing a joint football tournament. “I think I offer a space for the ethnic minorities to gain confidence and break some communication barriers helping them in their professional lives”, he says.
A journalist from Moldova, Tudor Arnaut joined Valentina Botnaru from Moldova to work on a documentary movie promoting the rights of LGBTQI people. The documentary focused on the lives of LGBTQI people in Moldova and has been screened for the first time during the Closing Event in Armenia.
Tudor says that during the preparation of the movie he got more information about LGBTQI people in Moldova and became more open-minded. “I had good feedback and now we want to continue with my partner, Valentina Botnaru, doing more beautiful documentaries. “Managing Diversity” was an eye-opening experience and now we are more self-confident to move forward with our ideas”, he says.
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“Managing Diversity” was organized by Armenian Progressive Youth NGO (Armenia) and Jongeren voor Uitwisseling en Begrip (The Netherlands). The project was granted by the Dutch National Agency under the Erasmus Programme of the European Union.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

By Nelli Petrosyan

Share your knowledge, motivate the others

November 14, 2017, could be an average day for the many young people, but the day was unique for Arpi and Varuzhan.  That day the youth workers used the gained skills to transfer their knowledge to the counterparts. The topic was “Media un-coverage of different genders”. Arpi and Varuzhan organized the session for an international group of youth workers hosted in Armenia.

The facilitators used theater as a learning method. The participants were divided into 4 groups. Each of the groups had one fact about gender equality issues in the Media. All of the groups prepared and presented a small sketch answering why gender inequality appeared in real life. The participants presented very diverse and interesting sketches. After the performances, a panel discussion was done with the group.

The process was new and interesting not only for the participants but also for the facilitators. Arpi and Varuzhan were using the skills gained during the project “Using Media as a tool for gender equality promotion”(Vienna, October 2017) for the first time. “That is a unique experience when you share your knowledge and skills with other people, it also helps you to re-evaluate the attitude you have towards the topic”,-said Arpi, who was one of the facilitators. Arpi used the gained skills as a participant of the project “Using Media as a tool for gender equality promotion”. The main aim of this Training Course in Vienna was to increase awareness and provide youth with proper knowledge about gender issues and perspectives of European and project countries media.

After the official ending of the session, Arpi and Varuzhan shared with the youth workers from different parts of Europe about the project they participated in Austria and informed the present ones about the opportunities Erasmus+ gives to youth workers.

Երևանում տեղի ունեցավ «Գենդերային հեռանկարները Եվրոպայում» միջազգային դասընթացը

Հունիսի 27-ից հուլիսի 5-ը Երևանում անցկացվեց «Գենդերային հեռանկարները Եվրոպայում» միջազգային դասընթացը, որն իր շուրջն էր համախմբել թվով 36 երիտասարդական աշխատողների, գենդերային հետազոտություններով զբաղվող երիտասարդ փորձագետների, քաղաքացիական հասարակության տարբեր ոլորտների ներկայացուցիչների, կանանց իրավունքներով և գենդերային հավասարության հիմնահարցերով զբաղվող ՀԿ ներկայացուցիչների,  ակտիվիստների և ֆեմինիստների շուրջ 14 Արևելյան գործընկերության ու Եվրոպական միության երկրներից: Դասընթացը կազմակերպվել էր «Հայ առաջադեմ երիտասարդություն» հասարակական կազմակերպության և նիդեռլանդական «Երիտասարդները հանուն միջմշակութային փոխանկաման և փոխընբռնման» կազմակերպության համատեղ ջանքերով: Ծրագրի գլխավոր նպատակներից մեկն էր հնարավորություն ստեղծել Հայաստանում և Եվրամիության երկրներում կանանց իրավունքների պաշտպանության և գենդերային հավասարության ոլորտում աշխատող կազմակերպությունների միջև փորձի փոխանակման համար, քննարկումների միջոցով վեր հանել Եվրոպական միության և Արևելյան գործընկերության երկրներում առկա գենդերային հիմնախնդիրները, վերլուծել երկրի քաղաքական, սոցիալ-տնտեսական կյանքին կանանց հավասար մասնակցությանը խոչընդոտող գերակա խնդիրները` փորձելով հնարավոր լուծումներ առաջարկել հաշվի առնելով տեղական և միջազգային փորձը:

Ծրագրի շրջանակներում նաև կայացավ «Գենդերային հավասարությունը Հայաստանում և Եվրոպայում. մարտահրավերներ և հեռանկարներ» խորագիրը կրող կոնֆերանսը, որին մասնակցում էին Հայաստանում և Եվրոպական միության տարբեր երկրներում գործող հասարակական կազմակերպութունների ներկայացուցիչներ, երիտասարդ փորձագետներ, գիտական աշխատողներ, ակտիվիստներ, ֆեմինիստներ և քաղաքացիական հասարակության ներկայացուցիչներ: Բացման խոսքով հանդես եկավ  Հայաստանում Եվրոպական միության պատվիրակության ղեկավար, դեսպան Պյոտր Սվիտալսկին: Դեսպանը մասնակիցների հետ կիսվել է 2016-2020թթ. ԵՄ գենդերային գործողությունների ռազմավարությամբ, որն իրականացվում է ԵՄ հաստատությունների ու ԵՄ անդամ պետությունների կողմից և փոխկապակցված է Եվրոպական հարևանության քաղաքականության վերանայման և ՄԱԿ-ի Անվտանգության խորհրդի 1325 կանանց, խաղաղության ու անվտանգության մասին բանաձևին: Եվրոպական միությունը խրախուսում է  ՀՀ կառավարության կողմից Ստամբուլի կոնվենցիայի վավերացումը, որը կանանց նկատմամբ բռնության և ընտանեկան բռնության, ինչպես նաև կանանց և տղամարդկանց միջև հավասար իրավունքների վերաբերյալ միջազգային պայմանագիր է:

Կոնֆերանսին  մասնակից բանախոսներ Օքսֆամ Հայաստանից, ՕքսԵՋեն  հիմնադրամից, ԵՊՀ Գենդերային հետազոտությունների կենտրոնից, Հանրային տեղեկատվության ու գիտելիքի կարիք հասարակական կազմակերպությունից, Կանանց ռեսուրսային կենտրոնից, Հասարակություն առանց բռնության հասարակական կազմակերպությունից  և Մերձավոր Արևելքում ամերիկյան օգնության կոմիտեից: