Crafting Change Together: Your Campaign, Our Support!
The EU-funded ‘Eastern Partnership Civil Society Facility’ project invites civil society organisations (CSOs) from Armenia and Georgia to apply for the Communication Labs – a dedicated capacity building programme for Armenian and Georgian CSOs to help them develop and launch their own communication campaigns with EU support.
The Communication Labs seek to equip CSOs with the essential skills, resources, and mentorship needed to develop and implement impactful communication campaigns. These campaigns will not only raise awareness about the crucial role of civil society but also promote a positive public perception of CSOs as drivers of change and community mobilisers.
Up to 20 civil society organisations, 10 from Armenia and 10 from Georgia, will be selected to participate in the Communication Labs with their campaign ideas. As a final stage of the capacity building programme, up to 6 campaign ideas will be selected and will get EU funding for the implementation and launch.
Important: The application form should be submitted in English only! Please carefully read the Guidelines for Applicants before applying.
Please note that the Application Form includes 40 questions some of which will require more significant input. We strongly advise applicants to check the PDF version of the Application Form (available here) before starting the online application process. The Application is likely to take several hours and you may require input from your colleagues. Please make sure you do not leave the submission to the last day before the deadline. Should you experience any issues with the Application Form, please contact us at [email protected]
Are you eager to learn more about the Communication Labs opportunity? Do you want to discover how you can develop and launch impactful communication campaigns with EU support? Then mark your calendars for the upcoming Info Session!
When: Tuesday, September 19,2023 / 4 pm Yerevan & Tbilisi time
Here’s what you can expect:
- Detailed insights into the Communication Labs programme.
- Step-by-step guidance on the application process.
- Tips for crafting a compelling application.
- Q&A session to address all your queries.
UPD: The recorded webinar is available here!
- Enhanced Capacity: You and your organisation will develop a deeper understanding of effective communication strategies and gain practical skills in developing and implementing communication and advocacy campaigns. You will acquire knowledge and practice in audience analysis, messaging, storytelling, budgeting, media engagement, and campaign evaluation, while working on your own campaign ideas.
- Innovative Campaign Ideas: The Labs will generate up to 20 innovative and impactful communication campaign ideas addressing societal issues. You will refine your initial ideas through mentorship, collaboration, and feedback, resulting in well-developed campaign strategies and implementation plans.
- Strengthened Networks: The Labs will facilitate networking and collaboration among all participating civil society organisations and activists. You will have the opportunity to build connections, share experiences, and establish partnerships that can extend beyond the Labs.
- Supported Campaigns: Up to six campaign ideas will be supported and implemented with EU funding and will benefit from the expertise of the Project team, including the thematic expertise and promotion necessary for successful campaign production and launch.
This Call for Applications is open to representatives of officially registered civil society organisations from Armenia and Georgia. Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria related to the Lead Applicant, the applying CSO, and the proposed communication campaign idea. These criteria ensure that participants are committed to active engagement and the development of impactful campaigns. Please carefully read the Guidelines for Applicants (in English).
From social justice to environmental conservation, any idea that aims for positive change in Armenia or Georgia is welcome. Whether it’s promoting social inclusion, improving healthcare access, or advocating for better policies – we’re here to support you!
The proposed ideas for communication campaigns may include awareness raising or advocacy campaigns delivered through social media campaigns, organisation of gatherings and events in schools/universities on specific topics, media events etc. If appropriate and relevant (including as timing), the proposed communication campaigns may integrate into wider efforts at national and international level related to annual international days such Democracy Day, Labour Day, Human Rights Day, Anti-Corruption Day, the 16 days of Campaign against Gender Based Violence, International Day of Volunteering, Water, Environment and Climate Change Day etc.
- The proposed communication campaign idea should align with the overall goal of raising awareness about civil society organisations as agents of change and community mobilisers.
- The campaign idea must address a societal issue of relevance and significance for Armenia or Georgia, focusing on positive impact and community engagement.
- The campaign idea should generate lasting effects beyond its immediate implementation.
- The campaign idea should showcase innovation and creativity.
Please consult the Guidelines for Applicants for more details on eligible and ineligible ideas!
- Selection of CSOs and Participants: Up to 10 CSOs from Armenia and 10 CSOs from Georgia will be selected through this Call for Applications. Each organisation will create a team of up to 3 participants who will engage in content development for the campaigns. The Communication Labs will host a total of 30 participants per country.
- Capacity Building and Networking (Online and In-Person): The program will kick off in November 2023 with a 2-day in-person session in Yerevan (for participants from Armenia) and in Tbilisi (for participants from Georgia). These sessions will introduce the Lab programme, facilitate networking and collaboration, and offer intensive capacity-building exercises. These activities will enable participants to understand effective communication campaigns, formulate clear campaign objectives, and engage in hands-on exercises.
- Mentorship and Concept Refinement: Following the Kick-Off Session, the Labs will continue with webinars and online consultations with mentors. Each team will work closely with a dedicated mentor to refine their campaign concepts, identify target audiences, develop strategies, and outline budgets.
- Selection of Campaigns for Funding: After mentorship and training, participating teams will submit their campaign strategies to the Evaluation Committee. The most promising strategies (up to 3 per country) will proceed to the next stage.
- Campaign Production, Launch & Evaluation: Selected CSOs will have two months to produce campaign materials. These campaigns will be launched across various platforms based on the strategies and plans developed during the Communication Labs (including social media, mainstream media, community events etc.). Rigorous monitoring and evaluation will assess campaign implementation and impact.
The detailed steps and criteria for assessment and evaluation of applications are presented in the Guidelines for Applicants. All applications will be assessed according to the following:
- Administrative Checks: Applications will be reviewed for compliance with submission deadlines, completeness, and eligibility criteria.
- Capacity and Experience Assessment: CSOs and Lead Applicants will be evaluated based on experience, capacity, and commitment.
- Campaign Idea Evaluation: Proposed campaign ideas will be assessed for relevance, societal impact, and innovative approaches.
- Campaign ideas submitted during the application process are considered initial drafts. Selected ideas will undergo comprehensive development during the Labs.
- English language requirements apply to the application process and communication with our Project. Campaign materials should be developed primarily in the local languages of Armenia and Georgia. Communication between participating teams and assigned mentors can be facilitated in the local languages as well. Important: at least one person from your team (the Lead Applicant) should be able to communicate in English!
- Detailed steps, criteria, and evaluation grid are available in the Guidelines for Applicants (in English).
- Check the answers to the most frequent questions received from the potential applicants of the Communication Labs for CSOs from Armenia & Georgia.
To apply, check eligibility, and submit your application in English, before 23:00 (CET) on September 25, 2023.
Questions and requests for clarification can be sent to [email protected] by September 20, 2023.
The application form should be submitted in English only! Please note that the Application Form includes 40 questions some of which will require more significant input. We strongly advise applicants to check the PDF version of the Application Form (available here) before starting the online application process. The Application is likely to take several hours and you may require input from your colleagues. Please make sure you do not leave the submission to the last day before the deadline. Should you experience any issues with the Application Form, please contact us at [email protected]
