Achieving active and vibrant citizenship through empowerment of Civic Centers in rural and isolated regions of Armenia.
The Foundation Against the Violation of Law’s (FAVL) regional civic centers—with the support of Oxfam in Armenia—took to the streets this summer and engaged in community-based fundraising around key community issues pending solution.
This unprecedented form of fundraising in the regions of Armenia not only served to help resolve local problems, it also succeeded in mobilizing and educating countless citizens throughout the country.
This is an e-mail template and letterhead that I designed for my non-profit organization to send out to potential sponsors, participants, and volunteers.
This is an e-mail template and letterhead that I designed for my non-profit organization to send out to potential sponsors, participants, and volunteers.
Don't miss the best benefits and philanthropic events in Chicago.Yosef Meystel
Chicago is a city that cares, and its various foundations, charities and nonprofit organizations, along with their sponsors and supporters are living proof that change can happen, only if we’re willing to take part in it.
Created to assist families with finding appropriate care for their loved ones with dementia, Insight Memory Care Choices guides its clients in selecting a suitable assisted living situation across the San Francisco Bay Area. Insight Memory Care Choices also supports nonprofit organizations such as the Alzheimer's Association.
I am the coordinator of non-governmental organization Green Ozersk. For 5 last years we realized various environmental and social projects, especially planting of greenery. What we do:
Don't miss the best benefits and philanthropic events in Chicago.Yosef Meystel
Chicago is a city that cares, and its various foundations, charities and nonprofit organizations, along with their sponsors and supporters are living proof that change can happen, only if we’re willing to take part in it.
Created to assist families with finding appropriate care for their loved ones with dementia, Insight Memory Care Choices guides its clients in selecting a suitable assisted living situation across the San Francisco Bay Area. Insight Memory Care Choices also supports nonprofit organizations such as the Alzheimer's Association.
I am the coordinator of non-governmental organization Green Ozersk. For 5 last years we realized various environmental and social projects, especially planting of greenery. What we do:
One of the things we're particularly proud of is the spirit of giving that lives in each of our associates. It is that spirit that led us to create the Quill Soul Board. The Soul Board's mission is to create a sense of community and teamwork among our associates by encouraging participation in local community activities that support our 3 areas of focus:
– Breast cancer awareness, research and education
– Events/activities in local schools
– Giving back to surrounding communities
It is our goal to spotlight activities and charities in which our associates and departments are already involved, provide information on volunteer opportunities and make it easy for associates to engage in community activities. Here's what our employees have been doing:
2017/2018 Launch of the Youth in Philanthropy Program in Kenora, Ontario. The program is led by the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation and for this year, is sponsored by Copperfin Credit Union.
Taking care of children should be one of the main priorities of disaster risk reduction policies. The main risk for children and for those taking care of them, as well as the activities pursued for elimination of such risks should be included in DRR general strategies addressed to population. The children and young people affected by disasters can and should be actively involved in the disaster risk reduction activities.
“Women are not only victims, they have driving power of changes, exclusive knowledge and skills that have crucial importance for providing solutions and managing risks”.
During the last 10 years 3 400 natural disasters took place in the world – hurricanes, floods earthquakes and other natural calamities. More than 700000 people died, more than 1,4 mln were injured and 23mln lost shelter. In general disaster affected 1,5 bln people and women, children and vulnerable people were most affected.
Unlike other representatives of society, the elder people cannot immediately react to hazards and risks for responding to emergencies, are less mobile and are dependent on the others. The vulnerability of elders and their capacities are often ignored during emergencies, whereas the collection of data about age and sex can make the needs of people in DRR visible.
Children's safety in the heart of DIPECHO preparedness work: Armenia Oxfam in Armenia
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) lessons, simulation drills, quizzes, school and home safety planning - all these joint efforts make children and their families more protected and prepared for natural disasters.
In July 2014 Oxfam GB and local partner organisations started the third phase of a participatory multi-hazard disaster risk reduction programme in Armenia and Georgia, funded for 15 months by the European Commission, Department of Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection. The ‘Supporting Community Resilience in the South Caucasus’ programme is due to end in September 2015 and an external evaluation is sought to determine the impact of this programme to date and to make recommendations to inform future programming for the Oxfam team and partners, as well as the donor, ECHO. The evaluation itself will focus on a number of key questions in the following areas: overall impact of the programme, impact on gender equality, sustainability as well as effectiveness of coordination with government and non-government actors.
Assignment dates: 31 August - 23 September 2015
Application deadline: 17 August 2015
Food Female Heroes in Armenia, Stories of Women Farmers from Armenian Communi...Oxfam in Armenia
According to statistics, 37,5% of Armenia’s population lives in the rural communities, moreover, half of the poverty-stricken people are women from rural areas. Despite the reforms which are being carried out in Armenia, the agriculture sector is still underdeveloped and farmers are very vulnerable. This is conditioned by a number of problems such as land and water resources scarcity, under-developed industrial, market and social infrastructures, etc.
While living in very hard conditions, Armenian women are village keepers. They overcome hardship and difficulties with courage, struggle against natural disasters, cultivate crops, collect harvest, participate in livestock care, bring up children, and have a huge contribution in the community development. But they unfortunately stay in the background whereas, the work they do is genuine heroism.
To promote women who work in agricultural field in Armenia and who have been successful in bringing positive change in sustainable development of their community, since 2011 Oxfam, with the Ministry of Agriculture and local partners, has been organizing Food Female Hero national award This year Oxfam FFH event main theme was food security and the role of women farmers in promoting food security and healthy nutrition.
On March 6, 2015 Oxfam jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture of RA and Agricultural Alliance organized “Food Female Hero- 2015” public event to mark International Women day and celebrate women’s roles and achievements in agricultural production and food security.
More than 40 women farmers involved in food production has been invited to the public food fair to present their produce, celebrate achievements and speech out about problems they are facing. Fair hosted more than 100 visitors, who came to taste and buy ecologically clean, tasty and healthy products from rural regions of the country. Among them are representatives of national ministries, international and local organizations, regional and local authorities, agricultural cooperatives as well as media. Know more about FFH in Armenia. Visit links below, read the newsletter supplement and read personal stories of women farmers who got the Food Female Hero national awards.
On March 6, 2015 Oxfam jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture of RA and Agricultural Alliance organized “Food Female Hero- 2015” public event to mark International Women day and celebrate women’s roles and achievements in agricultural production and food security.
More than 40 women farmers involved in food production has been invited to the public food fair to present their produce, celebrate achievements and speech out about problems they are facing. Fair hosted more than 100 visitors, who came to taste and buy ecologically clean, tasty and healthy products from rural regions of the country. Among them are representatives of national ministries, international and local organizations, regional and local authorities, agricultural cooperatives as well as media.
“Female Food Hero” national award ceremony has been held for the fifth time and aims to promote women who work in agricultural field in Armenia and have been successful in bringing positive change and promoting the sustainable development of their community/ communities, as well as food security and nutrition. This year Female Food Hero award ceremony has enlarged its boarders involving all the regions of Armenia and turning into a nationwide award ceremony.
This year “Female Food Hero” national award is supported by the European Union and the Austrian Development Agency and conducted within the framework of “Improving Regional Food Security in South Caucasus through National Strategies and Smallholder Production” and “Improving Small Holder Farming through Agricultural Cooperatives and Value Chain Development in Tavush marz, Armenia” projects.
Supporting Community Resilience in the South CaucasusOxfam in Armenia
Haiyan Typhoon in Philippines, Spitak earthquake in Armenia, FLASH floods in Pakistan, severe landslides in Georgia, droughts destroying crops in tajikistan – all these disasters caused enormous human and economic losses over the years.
Many of these losses could be avoided thanks to A JOINT mitigation and preparedness work and reducing vulnerability of communities and governments to natural disasters and climate change effects.
Such a huge public demonstration of support was matched by commitments from world leaders to support the campaign and make every effort to ensure the people of Syria do not lose another year to bloodshed and suffering.
Celebrating Our Achievements; DIPECHO II DRR Regional Program In ArmeniaOxfam in Armenia
On 30 October 2013 the official closing of the II Phase of the “Disaster Risk Reduction”(DRR) regional program in Armenia has been marked with the joint event organized by OXFAM, UNICEF, Armenian Red Cross Society, and Save the Children in collaboration with the Ministry Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Education and Science and the DRR National Platform. As a unique joint initiative current program has engaged with all key stakeholders in DRR sphere and has ensured that all direct their joint efforts and organizational resources and capacities to ensure greater impact. Program also created opportunities to build cooperation among DRR stakeholders in the South Caucasus.
Representatives of key stakeholders and Oxfam partners involved in DIPECHO II DRR regional program highlighted the key project approaches and achievements in Armenia.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.306436666164004.1073741839.143970642410608&type=3
Oxfam works in Armenia since 1994.
We work in 120 rural, poor communities of Armenia.
We reach 30 000 people directly and 120 000 indirectly.
We want to make an even greater impact with the money we spend together each year in fighting poverty.
From 2008-2013, Oxfam’s Raising Her Voice (RHV) programme worked to create more effective governance systems by ensuring that women’s voices influence decisions about
services, investments, policies and legal frameworks, from community, through to national and regional levels. To date, over one million marginalised women in 17 countries, including Armenia,are estimated to have benefited from increased activism, leading to increased voice and influence, more effective engagement with targeted decision makers and greater institutional accountability.
1. Achieving Active and Vibrant Citizenship
through Empowerment of Civic Centers
STREET FUNDRAISING
SCHEMES
Summer 2013
2. Background
The Foundation Against the Violation of Law’s (FAVL)
regional civic centers—with the support of Oxfam in
Armenia—took to the streets this summer and
engaged in community-based fundraising around key
community issues pending solution.
This unprecedented form of fundraising in the regions
of Armenia not only served to help resolve local
problems, it also succeeded in mobilizing and
educating countless citizens throughout the country.
*The initiative was part of the Oxfam-sponsored “Achieving Active and Vibrant
Citizenship through Empowerment of Civic Centers” program.
3. Sisian
Road Construction
The Sisian Civic Center
started things off with a
street fundraiser on July 6
aimed at renovating a vital
700-meter road leading into
the rural community of
Torunik, in Syunik Province.
The event featured singing,
poetry, and outdoor
performances from local
students. The community
actively supported the
event, helping raise around
150 GBP - more than the
target amount to construct
the road.
Residents give donations during the event.
Road construction begins 5 days after the event.
4. Yeghegnadzor
“Help Me Become One of You”
Three weeks later, on July
26, the Yeghegnadzor Civic
Center held a talent show
dedicated to assisting people
with disabilities living in
Vayots Dzor Province.
The event featured song and
dance performances, as well
as information on issues
affecting the disabled.
The event’s financial target –
GBP 160 was surpassed,
with money raised both
through ticket sales and
donations. The funds are
being used to build a
wheelchair ramp in front of
the Yeghegnadzor Cultural
House.
Attendees make their contributions at the entrance.
Performers receive an ovation from the audience.
5. Vayk
“My City is My Home”
On July 29, the Vayk Civic
Center organized a fundraiser
coinciding with an outdoor
concert marking the 55th
anniversary of the city’s
establishment.
The effort was geared towards
purchasing trash cans for key
public areas in the city.
Over twenty volunteers set up
a booth and succeeded in
raising GBP 353 in donations.
The team also passed out
balloons, painted children’s
faces and spread awareness
about the initiative.
Local residents insert money into the donation box.
Civic center volunteers decorate the new trash cans.
6. Kapan
“Together We Can Do More”
On August 29, residents of
Geghanush village participated in
the "Together We Can Do More”
benefit chess tournament.
Donations totaling GBP 100
were collected from parents,
residents, and supporters in
attendance with the aim of
collecting enough money to set
up 5 trash zones and 15 trash
cans in the community.
Civic Center volunteers also
distributed balloons to kids and
personalized “winged word”
messages encouraging citizens
to be active and involved in their
community’s development.
A young participant brings forth her contribution.
A reporter interviews a victorious chess player.
8. Fund Allocation
In each case, a
commission of local
NGO’s, government
officials, and
concerned residents
was formed to
transparently
allocate the funds
raised.
Sisian
– Construction was completed on July
15 and the road is now fully
functional.
Yeghegnadzor
– A contractor was commissioned to
design the wheelchair ramp and
begin constructing the project.
Vayk
– Twenty trash cans were
purchased and will be situated on
Shahumyan Street, a main road in
the city.
Kapan
– Donations are still being solicited
from supporters and will soon be
spent to set up the village trash
zones.
9. Raising Awareness
Each fundraiser garnered extensive media coverage from
local and national outlets, helping spread awareness about
each advocacy issue beyond the local community.
11. Volunteerism
The fundraisers were fueled by the energy of local volunteers.
They served as important platforms for young people to
exercise their talent and hard work around community
concerns.