📋 Tender Overview
Switzerland together with Sweden will support Armenian civil society actors to safeguard human rights, civic space and democratic progress in a volatile context. The contribution to a coalition of leading civil society organizations aims to ensure that they remain a strong pillar of democratic governance. This support will focus on strengthening civil society interventions to uphold democratic values and practices, as well as enhancing outreach to citizens to promote these values and encourage active civic engagement.
Country/region Topic Period Budget
Armenia
Governance
Democratic participation and civil society
Media & freedom of information
01.11.2025 - 31.12.2027
CHF 500’000
The project in brief
Background Armenia's democratic progress since 2018 coincided with a global wave of democratic backsliding. In Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh conflict and humanitarian crisis increased political polarization and negatively impacted the pace of reforms raising questions about the resilience and effectiveness of the governance system. In parallel, the civil society advocacy has faced increasing pressure from disinformation campaigns significant resource constraints. Despite these obstacles, civil society remains a crucial actor in shaping reform agendas, countering disinformation, supporting vulnerable populations, and fostering democratic resilience, particularly in the lead-up to and aftermath of the 2026 elections.
Objectives The overall goal is to strengthen civil society to contribute to Armenia's democratic resilience in a period of external and domestic turbulences.
Target groups Civil society organizations with a rights-based and democratic approach. Armenia’s voting-age population that can encourage participation in elections and public deliberations, as well as government bodies involved in designing reforms under Armenia’s international commitments and national strategies.
Medium-term outcomes Outcome 1: Strengthened civil society interventions in upholding democratic values and practices . Outcome 2: Enhanced civil society participation in implementing effective rights-based and democratic reforms.
Results Expected results: 1.1: Improved civil society outreach, 1.2: Reduced spread of disinformation, 1.3: Improved civil society monitoring in the 2026 elections 2.1: Coordinated civil society advocacy for implementing Armenia’s international commitments and national reforms, 2.2: Continuous support to the rights of vulnerable groups.
Results from previous phases: N/A
Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
Democratic Development Foundation
Coordination with other projects and actors Synergies with other donor funded initiatives supporting civil society actors will be explored and the intervention as such will serve as an information exchange platform with other relevant interventions (International IDEA, IFES, UNDP) aimed at democratic integrity.
