Armenian Civil Society between Western and Russian Influence

Dear partner, 

The "Socioscope" NGO and the Heinrich Boell Foundation Yerevan office-South Caucasus Region invite you to participate in the conference titled "Armenian Civil Society between European and Russian Influence." The conference will be held on 24 July at the Library for Architecture, 35 G Tumanyan Street (Zoravor Surb Astvatsatsin Church, left rear, Yerevan). 

The occasion for this conference is Socioscope's study "Transformations and Resilience: A Participatory Study of Post-Revolutionary and Post-War Armenian Civil Society", implemented in cooperation with the hbs Yerevan office. In light of multiple ongoing crises on local, regional, and global levels, including democratic backsliding, increasing political and media polarization, declining public trust in civil society, and growing emotional fatigue among civil society actors, "Socioscope" proposes a methodological approach aimed at expanding and deepening the discourse on the role of civil society.

Over the past three decades, Armenian civil society has emerged as one of the most dynamic in the region. It has been central to democratic mobilizations, watchdog functions, and social transformation. However, the development of the sector has unfolded within and been shaped by external geopolitical entanglements. 

The EU and its Member States, as well as the U.S., have played a significant role in funding civil society initiatives, encouraging transparency, accountability, and democratic governance. Russia, by contrast, has offered a discursive and policy framework that serves to discredit civil society work. Armenian society thus operates within a field of competing influences, which affect the capabilities of and attitudes toward civil society in the country. 

Recent developments have further complicated this tension. Armenian disillusionment with Russia has created opportunities for stronger engagement with Western actors. At the same time, however, Western donor fatigue and financial cuts are beginning to affect the sustainability and programming of many civic initiatives. Developments in neighboring Georgia, particularly the recent legislation targeting foreign-funded NGOs, are reshaping the regional context and having repercussions for Armenian civic actors who rely on Georgia for cross-border collaboration with Azerbaijan. 

Against this backdrop, this one-day conference offers a space for critical, forward-looking reflection on the interconnected nature of Armenian civil society's development and its external dependencies and interlinkages. Ahead of Armenia's 2026 parliamentary elections, such reflection and joint strategizing appear particularly crucial and timely. 

The conference will be held in Armenian. Simultaneous translation from Armenian into English will be provided. 

To confirm your participation, please get in touch with us at info@am.boell.org by 21 July.