Support to Armenia-Türkiye Normalization: Enhancing Cross-border Linkages
April 2026 – September 2027
Building Bridges Through Cooperation
Relations between Armenia and Türkiye are entering a period of new possibilities. Recent diplomatic engagement and regional developments have created opportunities for greater cooperation between the two countries. Yet decades of closed borders, limited interaction, competing historical narratives, and recent conflict experiences continue to shape perceptions and constrain trust between societies.
Funded by the European Union, the programme “Support to Armenia–Türkiye Normalization: Enhancing Cross-border Linkages” seeks to transform these emerging opportunities into practical cooperation and lasting connections. Over the 18 months, the programme will bring together businesses, civil society organisations, journalists, young people, artists, researchers, and other professionals from Armenia and Türkiye to explore common interests, build partnerships, and strengthen people-to-people ties.
The programme is based on a simple idea: sustainable normalization requires more than political dialogue. It also depends on regular interaction between people, institutions, and communities that can create shared interests, mutual understanding, and tangible benefits for both countries.
Why Does This Matter?
Economic and social links between Armenia and Türkiye remain far below their potential. Businesses often have limited opportunities to explore new markets and partnerships. Young people and professionals rarely have opportunities to engage directly with their counterparts across the border. As a result, perceptions are frequently shaped by stereotypes and limited awareness of one another.
At the same time, growing interest in regional connectivity, trade, tourism, and professional cooperation creates new opportunities for engagement. By supporting practical collaboration and direct exchanges, the programme seeks to contribute to a future in which cooperation becomes more common, trust grows gradually, and normalization is supported not only by governments, but also by societies.
How Will We Do This?
Supporting Economic Cooperation – Economic cooperation lies at the heart of the programme. Activities will identify opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration, particularly in tourism and other priority sectors. Research, expert dialogue, and business engagement will help stakeholders better understand where cooperation can create value and how barriers can be addressed.
Connecting Businesses and Professionals – The programme will create opportunities for entrepreneurs, industry representatives, experts, and professionals from Armenia and Türkiye to meet, exchange ideas, and develop partnerships. Sectoral meetings, networking events, expert working groups, collaboration platforms, and fellowship opportunities will help transform contacts into lasting professional relationships.
Strengthening People-to-People Engagement – Building trust requires meaningful interaction. Youth exchanges, journalist dialogue programmes, cultural initiatives, fellowships, and mobility opportunities will enable participants to gain first-hand experience of the neighbouring country, expand their networks, and develop a deeper understanding of one another’s societies.
Supporting Joint Armenian-Turkish Initiatives – The programme will provide funding for joint initiatives developed by organisations and groups from Armenia and Türkiye. These initiatives may bring together businesses, civil society organisations, media actors, researchers, and other professionals interested in developing practical forms of cross-border cooperation.
What Changes Do We Hope to See?
By the end of the programme, we expect to see stronger professional networks, new partnerships, increased cooperation between organisations and businesses, and broader opportunities for dialogue across sectors and communities.
The programme also seeks to increase awareness of the benefits of cooperation, encourage more informed public discussion about Armenia-Türkiye relations, and contribute to a more supportive environment for normalization efforts. While meaningful change takes time, every new partnership, professional connection, and collaborative initiative can help lay the foundations for a more connected and cooperative future.
Who is Involved?
The programme is implemented by a consortium of four organisations from Armenia and Türkiye with complementary expertise in economic development, policy research, civil society engagement, and dialogue facilitation:
- Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF) – overall programme coordination, civil society engagement, media cooperation, and communication activities.
- Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia (UMBA) – business engagement and private-sector cooperation.
- Hrant Dink Foundation (HDF) – fellowships, mobility programmes, dialogue, and people-to-people engagement.
- Economic Policy Research Foundation of Türkiye (TEPAV) – economic research, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
Together, the partners aim to support practical cooperation and stronger cross-border connections that contribute to the long-term normalization of Armenia-Türkiye relations.
Follow the Programme
For updates, opportunities, and programme news, follow the websites and social media channels of the consortium partners.
You can read the Turkish translation of this text here.