New Social Services Launched in the Syunik region

This three-year project, funded by the European Union, provides comprehensive solutions by working directly with those serving as primary social service providers in communities, including the Armenian Government and local civil society organisations. The project aims to enhance social protection systems across all seven Syunik region communities, promote sustainable funding for local social services, and effectively address the needs of communities in the region, contributing to reducing poverty and inequality.

To review the project's progress and to discuss ongoing activities, including newly planned social services, on 27-28 September, we hosted Tatevik Stepanyan, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Ashot Giloyan, Head of the Local Self-Government Policy Department of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, National Assembly deputies, representatives from the EU delegation, civil society, and other stakeholders.

"I'm pleased to see the progress of the Partnership for Syunik project. What began as a joint initiative years ago now yields tangible results. This partnership is an effective one between government entities, local authorities and civil society organisations (CSOs). We're collaborating with People in Need to test various projects and models of social services, assessing their effectiveness, intensity, and cost-efficiency to integrate them into the public system eventually," remarked Tatevik Stepanyan. 

In her welcome speech, Silja Kasmann, Deputy Head of the Cooperation Section at the European Union Delegation to Armenia, declared, "We, on the EU side, are proud to be part of this project and to support systemic reforms in the area of social protection. The development of human capital is an important element in the new Partnership Agenda between the EU and Armenia. Establishing well-functioning social systems is crucial for human capital development, hence our continued support."

Varduhi Dadunts, Country Director of the People in Need Representative Office in Armenia, added, "We are continuously working to address social challenges in various regions of Armenia comprehensively. Our efforts focus on building the capacity of civil society organisations and developing sustainable service delivery mechanisms. We place great emphasis on providing community-based social services through joint planning and effective cooperation among CSOs, communities, and the state."

As part of the first stage of the Partnership for Syunik Enhanced Community-Based Social Services project, we have already awarded five grants for improving and delivering social services. During the visit to Syunik, we presented the goals and specifics of eight organisations that received grants in the second stage. These organisations include Partnership and Training, ECO-youth, New Generation of Goris, Community Development Way, Inclusion Armenia, Public Consultation and Research Centre, Pulse Platform, and In the Name of Freedom. The total budget for the grant programmes to improve social services throughout the project is approximately €750,000.

Additionally, thanks to the joint efforts of this programme, the Partnership and Training, Arch of Cooperation, and New Generation of Goris organisations have been certified to provide care services for older persons and children in daycare centres and at home. The number is expected to increase in the near future, enhancing the availability of targeted and high-quality services for those in difficult circumstances.

During the two-day working visit to Syunik, the guests also visited the centres funded under the project to meet with those receiving social services and familiarise themselves with the service areas. Notably, they visited the Integrated Social Services Centre in the Tegh community. New services have been launched there, including a home care service for older people and the Artsvanik community-based small house, which offers 24-hour care for up to 14 older individuals and people with disabilities. They also visited a social services centre in Kapan, which provides social rehabilitation and psychosocial services to people registered with the Syunik Regional Probation Service of the Ministry of Justice and former prisoners from Kapan, Kajaran, and Goris.

The EU-funded Partnerships for Syunik – Enhanced Community-Based Social Service project is implemented by People in Need in partnership with WINNET Goris Development Foundation and Armenian Caritas as part of the Resilient Syunik.