Professional Exchange

Eurasia Partnership Foundation supports formal and informal civil society, state, media, educational, private sector, social businesses, research and development and other organizations to organize a Professional Exchange Tours (PET) with chosen counterparts in Armenia.

By participating in PET program, the groups of university students and/or professors, civil society representatives, journalists, arts and culture societies, social entrepreneurs, researchers, public policy and others, introduce their need for exchange and cooperation. Based on the needs and exchange objectives, EPF develops a special professional tours with relevant organizations, experts, practitioners, in Armenia, who can present the best practices, thoughts, analysis, processes to the participants.

One of the advantages of professional exchange programs is the quick exposure the practices and processes in various fields of reform and development, for those organizations who wich to facilitate the same processes in their own environments. Armenia, being a post-Soviet country, has undergone an intensive period of transition and reform processes in all sectors, including in economic, social protection, education, environment, civil society, judiciary, youth, culture and sports and many others. The reform and transformation processes have accumulated a vast amount of expertise, experiences and lessors learned. This information is made available to international counterparts to facilitate the systemic change, reform or innovation processes in their own establishments and environments.

 Why Armenia:

Armenia is a post-soviet country, independent since 1991, a great facility for studying the rich history, diverse culture and turbulent politics impacted by and impacting upon Europe’s and Asia’s developments. Armenia is situated in the Caucasus – a vibrant region in terms of political and cultural developments, with an as amazingly diverse nature, rich historical and cultural heritage on one hand, and unresolved conflicts among former soviet states and republics, on the other. At the same time, despite the existing political disputes and conflicts, it is relatively safe to  travel, study and work in Armenia.

Armenia’s progressive civil society organizations, educated scholars and multi-profile experts, think tanks, universities, media, businesses and other organizations offer great experience, thoughts, analysis, hands on learning and partnership for learning and application processes.

A state-of-the art civil society organization - Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF) organizes the PET program. And we will be happy to learn from your experience and ideas you will share with us.

How is the Professional Exchange organized

The PET may be organized in two ways: (1) Sectoral exchanges- between organizations working in the similar areas of expertise, such as Universities, Vocational Education Schools, CSOs, media, etc.; (2) Thematic exchanges – when the program of the tour focuses on the processes, such as policy formulation and implementation, advocacy, reform design and implementation, rural or economic development, gender and equality movements, human rights protection, organizational governance and management, program design, management, monitoring and evaluation of various processes, strategy development and implementation, communication, fundraising, and others. Often, the two components may be merged into one program.

EPF is experienced in being the contact point between the exchange organizations, identify suitable organizations for visit, lead experts, site visits to various organizations. For the convenience of the PET participants, EPF provides pre-and-post departure support, logistical assistance  and accompaniment throughout the program. You will feel safe, protected, accompanied and, if needed, mentored throughout the program. The PET program is designed through the following process:

  • Communication between Applicant organization and EPF, learning the objectives of the professional group, their needs, budget and available timelines.
  • EPF consults with suitable and relevant experts representing the field of the professional/policy interest.
  • EPF designs the draft Tour agenda, tailored to the needs, experience and objectives of the PET.
  • The Applicant organization checks the program design with group representatives, donors, and confirms the dates and the program, or suggests modifications.
  • EPF and Applicant Organization sign a contract.
  • EPF makes the final contacts and confirms the agenda.
  • EPF makes arrangements for transportation, accommodation, food, site visits, meetings, briefing sessions, cultural events.
  • EPF develops orientation materials for participants.
  • Upon arrival EPF organizes an pre-PET orientation session, at the end of the program EPF develops a brief report, including major recommendations, discussion points, contact lists.
  • EPF evaluates the quality of the PET.

EPF’s profile:

Eurasia Partnership Foundation’s (EPF) guiding vision is a South Caucasus that is peaceful, conflict-free and cooperative with civically engaged citizens, socially responsible businesses, and sustainable, accountable and effective third sector organizations. To these ends, EPF administers numerous programs aimed at strengthening civil society in Armenia and cooperation in the South Caucasus. Because our operating landscape is one of political unrest, military confrontation, economic crisis and limited regional cooperation, we must harness the potential of community activism and local philanthropy to make an advance in achieving our aims.

Please visit here for more stories about the Professional Exchange Tours.

Contact our facilitators Lilit Arzoyan, e-mail: [email protected], or Marina Ayvazyan, e-mail: [email protected] for more information.