Civic activism and non-governmental organizations in Armenia 2013-2014 : patterns and interactions in four selected cases

Abstract

Armenian civil society is entering a new stage of development, with emerging civic activism. The relationship between civic activism and formal organizations is not yet clear. This Master’s essay studies four civic initiatives in 2013-2014 in Armenia and tries to see what has been the input of NGOs in those movements. In-depth interviews, focus group discussions and document analysis was conducted to investigate selected initiatives. As a result of this, it was found out that civic activism makes Armenian civil society more diverse, also it empowers people. Moreover, it was discovered that NGOs are not the main actors in selected civic initiatives.