On 15 April, 58 representatives of 53 non-governmental organizations, members of the CSOs Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenian and the Constructive Dialogue Network of Armenian CSOs, completed the e-learning course of the Online Training Module on the Internal Capacity Building of the CSOs/CSOs Coalitions.
It was organized within the framework of the “ALA for Modernization” program implemented by the Armenian Lawyers’ Association and conducted through the e-learning platform created by the ALA within the framework of the EU funded “Commitment Constructive Dialogue” project.
About 70 representatives of the CSOs and the CSO coalitions from Yerevan city and Syunik, Shirak, Lori, Armavir, Ararat, Tavush, Gegharkunik and Aragatsotn marzes were given the opportunity to participate in the course and study from their own homes, in comfortable conditions and with their favorite tea and coffee. The module consisted of 10 topics. These were presented both in text and as a video.
In order to test the effectiveness of the module, CSOs that have completed the course have completed the test quiz. The listeners who answered correctly to more than 80% received graduation certificates.
It should be added that out of 58 participants who completed the online training, 31 are members of the Constructive Dialogue Network of Armenian CSOs, and 25 are members of the CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition. Out of 58 participants, 13 are from Yerevan organizations, 13 from Lori region, 10 from Syunik, 10 from Shirak, 2 participants from each of Armavir, Ararat and Gegharkunik marzes, and 1 from Tavush.
Representative of the SME Accountants Association of Armenia Lilit Chichoyan: According to her, she passed the course in 1 day. “This series of online training courses was quite informative and very instructive, which allowed us to get systematic and comprehensive information on the topic. The course, was very important, because the selected topics were targeted. The issues of Strategic Planning and Development Planning are especially important for the organization. The main principles covering the strategic planning and the development plan were [presented clearly and briefly,” she said. Lilit Chichoyan also adds that the positive side of the online course is that it saves time․ “Because without being cut off from our main job, we were able to pass the course at the right time and place. The other advantage is that the prepared video materials, if necessary, could be viewed repeatedly. And I would also like to mention that the negative side of the course, was that during the course there was no opportunity to immediately turn to specialists with questions,” the participant says.
Ara Sukiasyan, President of the Children society youth initiatives support center NGO, says that the course was important for the organization and its development. As a result, a skill of commitment of constructive dialogue has been obtained.
In addition, the online training provided the organization with knowledge on “human rights, public finance management, education, social, business, local government and other related areas, NGO organizational, financial stability, evidence based public policy, public control skills as well as skills to build and develop coalitions, to build a constructive dialogue with the state and local governments, and to develop other skills and abilities,” Ara Sukiasyan added.
According to him, the online course was very specific and accessible, there was an opportunity to listen and to read the topic in parallel or simultaneously, to refer to the material that was not immediately mastered as needed, to apply the topic in practice by imitating auxiliary materials. “It is exemplary to organize asset training within the organization in the near future. It was very progressive. I find it difficult to mention the negative sides, there weren’t any. “
It should be added that the organization operates in Gyumri.
According to another representative of the Shirak region, Christina Baghdadaryan, President of the Intra PSY Club NGO, she has acquired a great deal of important knowledge, which will definitely have a great impact on her future activities as a newly registered NGO. “We needed to develop our skills, and this course helped us gain knowledge about it,” she said.
The head of the organization mentions that the negative side of the online courses is that there is no direct contact between the audience and the expert, the positive aspects are also mentioned. “Definitely saving time from the positive sides and the opportunity to manage the daily schedule on your own. In other words, during the usual meeting we can participate in only one such course, while in the case of online training, we can participate in 2-3 similar courses during a day,” Christina Baghdadaryan said.
The online training provided an opportunity for Anna Khachatryan, a representative of the “Young Syunik” Youth NGO, which operates in the Syunik region, to take part in it.
“In general, this training gave NGOs additional knowledge and skills. What the national system of integrity is, the notion of ethics, corruption, the prevention mechanisms, which the sub-systems of government are. It is very important for the CSO and the CSO coalitions to be properly aware of all these,” Anna said.
She also considers important the knowledge on the development of the NGO’s strategic plan, the correct coordination of actions, and the adjustment of tactical directions.
Representatives of non-governmental organizations operating in Lori region also took an active part in the trainings.
Gayane Balayan, representative of “Argina” Cultural NGO said that the training was important. Thanks to it the strategic plan of the organization was revised and the vulnerable aspects were supplemented. “It was so good that there was time to study the materials in a more detailed and thorough manner,” she said.
“The organization did not have a developed strategic plan. As a result of the training, we started working on the SP. In my opinion, the course had only positive aspects. There was an opportunity to study and localize the materials,” Artur Meliksetyan, representative of the “Inter-Community Co-Operation for the Development of Rural Communities” NGO said.
Elen Hovhannisyan, representative of “Orran” Charitable Non-Governmental Organization, received useful knowledge on the development of the CSO management system, as well as their internal capabilities. “I consider the course quite effective, and the knowledge gained is permanent and useful. In terms of rational use of time resources, it was convenient to take the course online, from our own home, the only downside was that there was no face-to-face communication with the representatives of other organizations,” she said.
“If we want to develop the organization or the coalition, to better understand the structure, the mission, then the knowledge of these topics is not only important, but also mandatory,” Anush Aslanyan, head of the NGO ” Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities” for Persons with Disabilities, says.
According to Narine Matevosyan, a representative of “Media Club” Civil Society Development NGO, “The topics were meaningful. They include: CSOs’ strategy, cooperation, coalitions and their subsystems, ranging from volunteering, staff, to ethical norms, strategic planning, and opportunities to present the organization correctly,” she noted.
According to the participant, the training provided the knowledge that was necessary to know about the activities, cooperation, strategy, and other topics about CSOs and they were provided through the training in a more systematic and complete way. “Now our NGO will continue to organize its activities and strategy, taking into account the knowledge gained from the course,” Narine Matevosyan says.
Notably, the participants state that in order to pass the online courses and to receive a certificate, they have spent from 1 day to 9-10 days, depending on what responsibilities and tasks each of them had to perform.
Participants were of the same opinion related to the question of whether or not to participate in another similar course, “Of course we will participate.”
