On February 20, 2026, the closing event for the “CSOs4SLD2: CSOs for Sustainable Local Development (Sub-grant Management)” project took place in Yerevan. The event served as a platform to showcase the successful experiences and results of civil society initiatives dedicated to local development. Gathered at the event, sector officials, international partners, and civil society representatives discussed the significant achievements recorded throughout the project’s implementation.
During the opening session, Ashot Giloyan, Head of the Local Self-Government Policy Department of the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, emphasized the vital importance of effective cooperation between CSOs and local self-government bodies. He noted that such collaboration is essential for finding systemic solutions to community challenges. Thomas Meyer, GIZ Project Manager, highlighted the increasing role of civil society within Eastern Partnership countries, underlining that the empowerment of local initiatives remains a primary focus for their organization. Arpine Hakobyan, President of the “NGO Center” Civil Society Development NGO, reflected on the project’s substantive impact, stating that it provided a unique opportunity for community-based organizations to uncover their potential and bring about real change in community life.
The results of ten sub-grant projects implemented under the program were presented, highlighting their contributions to sustainable community development, the empowerment of vulnerable groups, and the promotion of resident participation . While the projects spanned diverse sectors from tourism management to youth-led initiatives they were all anchored in a shared community-centered approach .
A pivotal moment of the event was the presentation and discussion of the “CSOsNet: National Network of Community-Based Organizations” . This new initiative, built on a model of horizontal cooperation and resource sharing, aims to unify civil society efforts to promote participatory democracy and initiate legislative reforms . Participants discussed the network’s strategic directions and the Memorandum of Cooperation, signaling that CSOsNet will officially launch in the near future .
This event is implemented within the framework of NGO Center’s “CSOs4SLD2: CSOs for sustainable local development (Grant administration)” project under ‘Strengthening Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership Countries’ programme, implemented by GIZ with funding from the German Government and the European Union.