We are proud to announce conclusion of our successful programme – Communication Labs supporting civil society organizations (CSOs) in Armenia and Georgia to develop impactful communication campaigns.
20 civil society organisations from Georgia and Armenia developed 20 impactful campaigns addressing vital issues such as voter turnout and anticorruption, combating disinformation and hate-speech, justice for crime victims, integrating refugees, youth and women empowerment, food waste reduction, and more.
“I am impressed with the achievements of the Comm.Labs participants and the impactful campaigns they have developed,” said Daniel RACKOWSKI, Attaché, Programme Officer for Civil Society and Democracy at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia during the Final Event of the Comm.Labs in Tbilisi on the 9th of February 2024. “The Communication Labs programme has provided them with the knowledge, skills, and inspiration to make a real difference in society, and I look forward to seeing the continued impact of their work.“
Six campaigns have been selected for the EU funding, each receiving an average budget of 8,000 EUR, to bring their visions to life. Congratulations to the winners:
- Animal Project Georgia with “Adopt, Don’t Buy” Campaign / Georgia: Addressing the issue of stray pets and animal overpopulation, this campaign raises awareness about the benefits of adoption and encourages individuals to adopt animals rather than buy them. By promoting responsible pet ownership and dispelling negative stereotypes, the campaign aims to create a more compassionate and informed approach to pet ownership.
- Centre for Community Mobilization and Support NGO with “Voice and Action for a Healthy and Clean Environment” Campaign / Armenia: Aims to enhance awareness among residents of communities facing socio-ecological risks in Armenia, particularly focusing on the pollution caused by the mining industry on the environment, human health, and socio-economic conditions. The campaign seeks to inform and empower individuals by equipping them with practical tools to safeguard their ecological rights and encouraging active participation in campaigns against pollution.
- Coalition to Stop Violence against Women with “Orange it Back!” Campaign / Armenia: Aims to involve Armenian society in direct or supportive actions against gender-based violence by creating spaces and emphasizing both small and significant commitments that individuals can undertake. The focus is on visualizing a society free from violence and inspiring the younger generation with potential roles and actionable steps.
- ForSet with “Influencing Democracy” Campaign / Georgia: Aims to increase Gen Z’s voter turnout at the 2024 parliamentary elections through a network of social media influencers and data-driven campaigns. By leveraging the power of influencers and addressing issues that matter to young voters, the campaign seeks to create a new public discourse and enhance awareness of political participation.
- National Trans Coalition Human Rights NGO with “Come Out for Trans* Equality” Campaign / Armenia: Aims to address the widespread transphobia and gender-based discrimination in Armenia, particularly targeting the needs of women and Trans* people. Through sensitization workshops, social videos, engagement events, and success stories, the campaign aims to educate and engage the public, fostering allyship and support for the Trans* community.
- Social Enterprise Alliance Georgia with “Social Human Library” Campaign / Georgia: Designed to foster the concept of social entrepreneurship among young people, this campaign highlights the positive impact of Georgian social enterprises on society. Through engaging activities and field visits, the campaign aims to inspire collaboration between young people from three regions of Georgia (Samegrelo, Samtskhe-Javakheti, and Kakheti) and local social entrepreneurs.
“Today you, civil society organisations, are our “communication officers”. Your campaigns are not just about spreading messages; they are about igniting change and shaping narratives that resonate with society.” – said Bruno MONTARIOL, Programme Manager of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Armenia during the Final Event of the Comm.Labs in Yerevan on the 12th of February 2024.
“Strategic communication holds significant importance, and the Comm.Labs played a pivotal role in enhancing this aspect. The EU Delegation is committed to furthering its capacity-building initiatives for CSOs including those on strategic communication, recognizing its importance. We remain dedicated to supporting you in this endeavour and eagerly anticipate the implementation of your campaigns“- further emphasized Tatevik DAVTYAN, Programme Manager of the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia.
Communication Labs is the capacity building programme initiated by the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Facility Project funded by the European Union. It aims at empowering civil society organisations in Armenia to develop impactful communication campaigns. The Communication Labs brought together over 60 team members from 22 Armenian and Georgian CSOs from diverse sectors and regions to collaborate, innovate, and shape communication initiatives that make a real difference. From November 2023 until January 2024, participants have engaged in an intensive learning journey, honing their skills and crafting innovative campaign ideas to address pressing societal issues.
