Granting Opportunity from the Institute for War & Peace Reporting: Building Resilience in the Eastern Neighbourhood (BREN)

 

Who can apply: Any registered civil-society organisation (CSO) in  Armenia that has not previously received BREN financial support
Closing date: Monday, 11 August 2025, 18:00 Yerevan time 
Grant size: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
Funding model: Activity-based grants
Project length: Up to 9 months – all projects must finish by 31 May 2026
Estimated awards: Maximum 5 grants

 

 

All neccessary documents are available here.

 

 

The Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) is currently accepting applications from civil society organisations in Armenia as part of the programme Building Resilience in the Eastern Neighbourhood II (BREN II).

 

The UK-funded Building Resilience in the Eastern Neighbourhood (BREN II) programme supports civil-society action that improves the human security of women and other marginalised groups across the countries of Eastern Neighbourhood.

 

For 2025 – 2027 in Armenia, every project must address at least one thematic priority below and apply gender-, conflict- and disability-sensitive methods.

 

 

Armenia Thematic Priorities

 

(Use these guidelines to shape project activities.)

 

1. Women, Peace & Security (WPS)
   • Activities and advocacy efforts on the development, advancement, monitoring, and evaluation as well as budgeting of the Armenian National Action Plan on the UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
   • Advocacy activities conducted in partnership with the local and/or central governments focused on the advancement of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda in Armenia.
   • Localization of the Armenian National Action Plan on the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 outside Yerevan, particularly in bordering regions.
   • Creating robust partnerships/connections/communication among non-state and state actors to advocate for women’s meaningful participation in peace, stability, and human security processes.
   • Activities and advocacy campaigns focused on increasing women’s participation in security/human security and peace processes.
2. Increasing inclusion of diverse groups in peace and security discussions and decision-making in Armenia:
   • Awareness raising and capacity building of CSOs, women’s organisations, young women and girls, and marginalised groups to develop and implement activities that promote the Women, Peace, and Security agenda in Armenia.
   • Development of media materials, research products, curriculum, etc. on WPS agenda, gender equality to be used to increase awareness of different actors.
   • Activities and campaigns aimed at identifying and advocating for the needs, experiences, and interests of displaced communities and women and girls that have been directly affected by the wars over the Nagorno–Karabakh.
   • Informal educational opportunities for displaced women, women, and girls to increase their knowledge on peace and human security issues, and Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

 

 

 

2. Eligible Activities

 

IWPR will consider projects that concentrate on one or more of the following:

• Production of materials: research, educational, promotional, or media outputs. Innovative approaches are encouraged.
• Advocacy: engagement with government, local authorities, or community institutions.
• Community work: knowledge- and skill-building for women, minorities, displaced persons, refugees, youth and other.
• Capacity building: organisational or stakeholder training/support.
• Networking: partnerships or coalitions that share resources and catalyse change.

 

Strongly encouraged to apply

• Organisations led by women and/or youth
• CSOs led by displaced persons, ethnic/religious minorities, or other communities
• Groups outside Yerevan, especially in border regions
• Newly formed organisations

 

Joint applications

 

Partnerships are welcome, particularly those that:

• Link capital-based and regional CSOs
• Combine different areas of expertise
• Pair CSOs with media organisations
• Bring together majority- and minority-led groups
• Involve partners from other BREN countries (contact [email protected]  before 1 Aug 2025  for matchmaking support)

 

 

3. Organisational Requirements

 

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Mainstreaming of gender equality, diversity, conflict, and gender sensitivity
• Ability to identify, analyse, and mitigate risks
• Transparent project and financial management
• Willingness to learn and share with peer grantees
• Impartiality, with no partisan or politically focused programming
• A clear sustainability plan for post-grant impact

 

Successful applicants will take part in BREN’s national/regional learning events and may undergo an organisational or resilience needs assessment.

 

 

 

4. Application Package

 

Email the following documents (email subject: BREN II-ABPG-2025-ARM-[Org Acronym]) to [email protected]:

1. Application Form (max 10 pages)
2. Detailed Budget (Excel)
3. Annexes
   • Registration certificate
   • Latest financial statement (audited or unaudited)
   • Organisational chart / staffing list
   • Safeguarding policy or signed commitment

 

 

 

5. Evaluation & Selection

 

There will be a two-stage evaluation process of applications. In the first stage, applications will be shortlisted by IWPR based on the following criteria:

Assessment	Points
The proposal is clear and detailed; all required documentation is in place; and the proposed project is clearly in line with the BREN programme’s thematic priorities.	8-10 points
The proposal is mostly clear and contains sufficient information; most key documentation is in place; and the proposed project is broadly in line with the BREN programme’s thematic priorities.	5-7 points
The proposal is unclear, or documentation is missing, or the thematic focus does not align with the BREN programme’s thematic priorities.	1-4 points

 

IWPR may request clarifications from the organisations in the shortlisting stage.
Proposals with a score of at least 5 points will be submitted to the selection panel for full review. If more than 15 proposals receive more than 5 points, IWPR may increase the threshold. 

 

Final Selection

 

The selection panel, which consists of representatives from IWPR and the UK Embassy in Armenia, will assess proposals based on the set criteria as described in the below table. Applicants with the highest scores will be selected for funding. Funding will be contingent on vetting processes.

 

Nr.	Criteria	Maximum points
1.	Adequate response to the call objectives The project design responds to the objectives outlined in this call and proposes adequate solutions to the relevant challenges in Armenia. It builds on already existing activities and adds value.	30
2.	Technical approach Proposed project design presents a clear situation analysis, and identifies objectives, outputs, and activities of the project, which are coherent to one another. The project can be implemented with moderate risks.	30
3.	Organisational resilience The project demonstrates that implementing the project is in the organisation’s interests and will help the organisation become more resilient.	20
4.	Cost evaluation The project budget is clear and corresponds to the technical approach. The included costs are reasonable and necessary to achieve the project objectives.	20
Maximum total technical scoring:		100

 

 

6. Application Process & Timeline

 

Interested organisations should complete and submit application and budget forms to [email protected].

Applications may be submitted in English or Armenian (English preferred; however, language choice does not affect award decisions).

We encourage narrative and financial proposals to be written and prepared by organisational staff. Where AI is used, we request this is kept to a minimum and used in an ethical and responsible manner.

IWPR reserves the right to award fewer or more awards, depending on the quality of applications received, and the context at the time of selection.

Questions? Contact our Armenia Country Coordinator at [email protected] Replies will be provided until 5 August 2025.

An information session about this grant call will take place on July 29, 2025 at 11 AM Armenia time via Zoom. Please access this link for registration.  

 

 

7. About IWPR & BREN II

 

IWPR is an international non-profit that builds peace and democracy through free media and empowered civil society.

The Building Resilience in the Eastern Neighbourhood II (BREN-II) project is implemented by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) and funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

We look forward to receiving your innovative proposals that advance peace, security, and inclusion in Armenia.