Partnership for Safeguarding Democratic Integrity
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
|
- Democratic Development Foundation
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Democratic participation and civil society
Media and free flow of information
Cross-cutting topics The project also supports partner organisation improvements
Aid Type Project and programme contribution
Project number 7F11542
| 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 |
| 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. |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 500’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 412’880 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF 0 Budget inclusive project partner CHF 500’000 |
| Project phases | Phase 1 01.11.2025 - 31.12.2027 (Current phase) |
