{{Short description|Armenian non-profit organization}} {{Primary sources|date=April 2021}} {{Infobox organization | logo = TheCivilitasLogo.jpg | founder = Vartan Oskanian | founding_location = Armenia | type = Nonprofit | status = Foundation | headquarters = One Northern Avenue, Suite 30, Yerevan, Armenia | location = Armenia | language = Armenian, English |website= {{url|civilitasfoundation.org}} }} {{coord|40.183701|44.515191|display=title|}}'''The Civilitas Foundation''' ({{langx|hy|Սիվիլիթաս հիմնադրամ}}) is an Armenian non-profit organization based in Yerevan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Contacts |url=http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/contacts/ |url-status=live |access-date=2021-03-25 |website=Civilitas Foundation |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107050726/http://civilitasfoundation.org:80/v3/contacts/ |archive-date=2015-11-07}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.civilnet.am/մեր-մասին/?lang=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304065309/https://www.civilnet.am/%d5%b4%d5%a5%d6%80-%d5%b4%d5%a1%d5%bd%d5%ab%d5%b6/?lang=en |archive-date=2021-03-04 |access-date=2021-03-25 |website=CivilNet |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2 July 2012 |title=THE POLITICAL CONTEXT |url=http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/archive/the-political-context/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325124327/http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/archive/the-political-context/ |archive-date=2021-03-25 |access-date=2021-03-25 |website=Civilitas Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref> It is a development agency and think tank currently directed by Apo Boghigian<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|date=5 August 2019|title=Boghigian Named Director of Civilitas/CivilNet|url=http://asbarez.com/183647/boghigian-named-director-of-civilitascivilnet/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807224356/http://asbarez.com/183647/boghigian-named-director-of-civilitascivilnet/|archive-date=2019-08-07|access-date=2019-08-07|newspaper=Asbarez}}</ref> that works to strengthen civil society, promote democracy, economic development and education in Armenia, and facilitate dialogue between Armenia and the international community on a number of pertinent political issues. In doing so, Civilitas has strengthened the ties between Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora. The organization houses ''CivilNet'', an independent media outlet.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=Armenia, Iran eye warming ties despite divergent interests {{!}} Eurasianet |url=https://eurasianet.org/armenia-iran-eye-warming-ties-despite-divergent-interests |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=eurasianet.org |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |date=2025-06-24 |title=Armenia {{!}} RSF |url=https://rsf.org/en/country/armenia |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=Reporters Without Borders |language=en}}</ref>
{{Wikitionary|Civilitas}}
== History == The organization was founded in October 2008 by Vartan Oskanian, who formally had served as Armenia's Minister of Foreign Affairs.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> The name was derived from the Latin word ''Civilitas''.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=WHO WE ARE |url=http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/who-we-are/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107050746/http://civilitasfoundation.org:80/v3/who-we-are/ |archive-date=2015-11-07 |access-date=2021-03-26 |website=Civilitas Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=11 January 2009 |title=Mission |url=http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/archive/mission/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326122724/http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/archive/mission/ |archive-date=2021-03-26 |access-date=2021-03-26 |website=Civilitas Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref>
== CivilNet Media == ''CivilNet'' -- an independent<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=The power of Electric Yerevan |url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/electrified-yerevan/ |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=openDemocracy |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=CivilNet - Voxeurop |url=https://voxeurop.eu/en/source/civilnet/ |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=Voxeurop |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10" /> and online multilingual media outlet of the Civilitas Foundation -- was launched by Oskanian on September 21, 2011.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> ''CivilNet'' is certified as compliant with the journalistic standards of the International Fact-Checking Network<ref>{{Cite web |last=Civilnet |date=2023-03-13 |title=CivilNet becomes Armenia's first news organization to join International Fact-Checking Network |url=https://www.civilnet.am/en/news/694440/civilnet-becomes-armenias-first-news-organization-to-join-international-fact-checking-network/ |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=CIVILNET |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ifcncodeofprinciples.poynter.org/profile/civilnet |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=ifcncodeofprinciples.poynter.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ifcncodeofprinciples.poynter.org/application/public/civilnet/661a8b0fba7689d48142b495 |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=ifcncodeofprinciples.poynter.org}}</ref> and the European Fact-Checking Standards Network.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-21 |title=European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN) |url=https://members.efcsn.com/organization/civilnet |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=members.efcsn.com |language=es}}</ref>
Through CivilNet, the foundation produces content in Armenian and English like interviews, articles and weekly wrap-up videos, which focus on fundamental human rights, Armenian democracy, regional peace and the Diaspora,<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Increasing the role of the citizen by raising legal awareness|url=http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/increasing-the-role-of-the-citizen-by-raising-legal-awareness/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-25| website=Civilitas Foundation|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827054505/http://civilitasfoundation.org:80/v3/increasing-the-role-of-the-citizen-by-raising-legal-awareness/ |archive-date=2017-08-27 }}</ref> as well as political, economic, social and cultural events in Turkey that are directly or indirectly related to Armenia-Turkey relations, also providing contextual background to the topics.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=The Civilitas Foundation|url=http://www.armenia-turkey.net/en/1593098495|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-25|website=Armenia-Turkey Normalisation Process|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924010832/https://armenia-turkey.net/en/1593098495 |archive-date=2020-09-24 }}</ref>
CivilNet produced three films about the 1918 Treaty of Batum, the 1920 Treaty of Alexandropol, and the 1921 Treaty of Moscow and Treaty of Kars respectively.<ref name=":2" /> CivilNet also produced the 2017 documentary film ''Survival Songs: From West to East'', an ethnographic collage showcasing stories and folk music of various Armenian communities formed after the emigrations from Western to Eastern Armenia. Its screening on November 13 at the Armenian Embassy in Russia was organized by the initiative of Barev Cultural Club in Moscow.<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 November 2017|title=CivilNet Documentary Screening in Moscow|url=http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/uncategorized/civilnet-documentary-screening-in-moscow/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-25| website=Civilitas Foundation|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211185140/http://civilitasfoundation.org:80/v3/uncategorized/civilnet-documentary-screening-in-moscow/ |archive-date=2018-02-11 }}</ref>
== The Council on International Relations == The Civilitas Council on International Relations advocates peace and stability in the Caucasus through multifaceted dialogue and open discourse. It hosts monthly discussion forums which inform Armenia's opinion and policymaking process and the international academic, political and media communities about Armenia's foreign and domestic policy choices, options and actions in the context of Armenia's national security challenges. Through public and private discussions, research and publications, the Council promotes the Armenian perspective internationally and domestically.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Think Tank Young Professional Development Program For MA and PhD Graduates|url=http://www.qkss.org/repository/docs/Positions_Available_for_Young_Professionals.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=25 March 2021|website=Kosovar Centre for Security Studies|publisher=Open Society Foundations|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911161314/http://www.qkss.org/repository/docs/Positions_Available_for_Young_Professionals.pdf |archive-date=2021-09-11 }}</ref><ref name=":3" />
Since its establishment, the Council has published annual reports on the state of Armenia up to 2013,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Publications|url=http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/category/publications/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-25| website=Civilitas Foundation|date=17 June 2014 |language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105012051/http://civilitasfoundation.org:80/v3/category/publications/ |archive-date=2015-11-05 }}</ref> providing an in-depth analysis of Armenia's current political standing.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}} Their first ever report, ''Armenia in 2008: Crisis and Opportunity'', was published in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 December 2008|title=Armenia in 2008: Crisis and Opportunity|url=http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/publications/armenia-in-2008-crisis-and-opportunity/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-25| website=Civilitas Foundation|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171218091140/http://civilitasfoundation.org:80/v3/publications/armenia-in-2008-crisis-and-opportunity/ |archive-date=2017-12-18 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=http://www.civilitasfoundation.org/cir/Armenia_in_2008_Crisis_and_opportunity_ENG.pdf|title=Armenia in 2008: Crisis and Opportunity|date=2008|publisher=Civilitas Foundation|isbn=978-99941-2-210-3|location=Yerevan, Armenia|oclc=492101366}}</ref>
The Council on International Relations organized{{When|date=March 2021}} the Neighbors About Each Other project with support from USAID, Eurasia Partnership Foundation and the Hrant Dink Foundation. The project offered translations of articles from both the Turkish and Armenian press. Turkish articles about Armenia and Armenians were translated into the Armenian language and made available to Armenian publications, while Armenian articles about Turkey and the Turkish people were translated into the Turkish language and made available to Turkish publications. All articles were also translated into English for the benefit of the international community. The various translations were archived on the project's now-defunct website.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NEIGHBORS ABOUT EACH OTHER|url=http://www.caucasusneighbors.com/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911224157/http://www.caucasusneighbors.com/|archive-date=11 September 2011|website=Neighbors About Each Other}}</ref>
== Democracy and Development == The Democracy and Development Initiative of the Civilitas Foundation supports and promotes democratization in Armenia. Currently, the initiative is focusing on rural development and education projects.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Democracy and Development|url=http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/democracy-and-development/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-26| website=Civilitas Foundation|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105012057/http://civilitasfoundation.org:80/v3/democracy-and-development/ |archive-date=2015-11-05 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Armenia in 2009: Promise and Reality|date=2009|publisher=Civilitas Foundation|isbn=978-99941-2-324-7|location=Yerevan, Armenia|pages=4|oclc=517718140}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=March 2021}}
=== Rural Economic Facilitation Program === The Civilitas Foundation initiates, executes and backs projects which facilitate, support sustainable, comprehensive and even development in Armenia's villages, enabling villagers to live a self-reliant, dignified life in Armenia's border areas.<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 October 2008|title=Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation at Civilitas|url=http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/archive/swiss-agency-for-development-and-cooperation-at-civilitas/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-26| website=Civilitas Foundation|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325085921/http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/archive/swiss-agency-for-development-and-cooperation-at-civilitas/ |archive-date=2021-03-25 }}</ref> From small social and economic undertakings to larger infrastructure projects, the Foundation works with donors and implementers to assure an inclusive, comprehensive approach.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=13 September 2008|title=Economic Facilitation|url=http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/democracy-and-development/economic-support-to-dairy-farmers/economic-facilitation/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-25| website=Civilitas Foundation|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325085934/http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/democracy-and-development/economic-support-to-dairy-farmers/economic-facilitation/ |archive-date=2021-03-25 }}</ref>
The Rural Economic Facilitation Program's main initiative is the '''Dairy Production Assistance Program''', which sells cows and milking machines to Armenian farmers on a microfinance loan basis, with 0% interest rate. The farmers pay back in full the price of the cow or milking machine within ten months, and that money is used to buy a new one for another farmer, thereby increasing the number of beneficiaries.<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 June 2014|title=Economic Support to Dairy Farmers|url=http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/democracy-and-development/economic-support-to-dairy-farmers/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-25| website=Civilitas Foundation|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325091024/http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/democracy-and-development/economic-support-to-dairy-farmers/ |archive-date=2021-03-25 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=26 June 2014|title=Visitors at Civilitas|url=http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/archive/visitors-at-civilitas-2/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-25| website=Civilitas Foundation|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325091039/http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/archive/visitors-at-civilitas-2/ |archive-date=2021-03-25 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=9 November 2009|title=Success Breeds Success|url=http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/democracy-and-development/water-security-in-border-villages/success-breeds-success/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-25| website=Civilitas Foundation|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325091040/http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/democracy-and-development/water-security-in-border-villages/success-breeds-success/ |archive-date=2021-03-25 }}</ref>
=== Libraries as Centers of Civil Society === The Libraries as Centers of Civil Society project supports and strengthens public libraries in a number of rural and urban communities throughout Armenia, in order to transform them into true centers of community life providing a number of services to the population. With funds from the US Embassy, the Civilitas Foundation is currently rebuilding 10 libraries in the Armenian provinces and stocking them with new books in both Armenian and English.<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 February 2010|title=Libraries: real, accessible, and free centers of civil society|url=http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/democracy-and-development/libraries-as-centers-of-civil-society/libraries-real-accessible-and-free-centers-of-civil-society/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-25| website=Civilitas Foundation|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325054406/http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/democracy-and-development/libraries-as-centers-of-civil-society/libraries-real-accessible-and-free-centers-of-civil-society/ |archive-date=2021-03-25 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Hakobyan|first=Tatul|date=9 February 2010|title=Libraries: real, accessible, and free centers of civil society|url=http://www.armeniadiaspora.com/news/1112-libraries-real-accessible-and-free-centers-of-civil-society.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303230440/http://www.armeniadiaspora.com/news/1112-libraries-real-accessible-and-free-centers-of-civil-society.html|archive-date=3 March 2012|newspaper=Armenia Diaspora}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=18 May 2010|title=Rebuilding the Libraries of Armenia, One Step at a Time|url=http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/democracy-and-development/libraries-as-centers-of-civil-society/rebuilding-the-libraries-of-armenia-one-step-at-a-time/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-25| website=Civilitas Foundation|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325054421/http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/democracy-and-development/libraries-as-centers-of-civil-society/rebuilding-the-libraries-of-armenia-one-step-at-a-time/ |archive-date=2021-03-25 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=11 October 2010|title=One Library at a Time: Supporting Communities, Opening Minds|url=http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/council-for-public-policy/public-discussions/one-library-at-a-time-supporting-communities-opening-minds/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-25| website=Civilitas Foundation|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325135315/http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/council-for-public-policy/public-discussions/one-library-at-a-time-supporting-communities-opening-minds/ |archive-date=2021-03-25 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=21 March 2011|title=Armenian libraries embrace the digital age to expand community outreach|url=http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/council-for-public-policy/public-discussions/armenian-libraries-embrace-the-digital-age-to-expand-community-outreach/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-25| website=Civilitas Foundation|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325135329/http://civilitasfoundation.org/v3/council-for-public-policy/public-discussions/armenian-libraries-embrace-the-digital-age-to-expand-community-outreach/ |archive-date=2021-03-25 }}</ref>{{Update inline|date=March 2021}}
== Civilitas Generation Center == The Civilitas Generation Center was designed to support new approaches and solutions to Armenia's geographic, economic and experiential limitations. In keeping with its mission, the Generation Center has developed a database of existing NGOs in Armenia in the now-defunct website '''Civil.am''',<ref>{{Cite web|title=Home|url=http://www.civil.am/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150306081840/http://www.civil.am/|archive-date=6 March 2015|website=Civil.am}}</ref> which was updated with the aid of participating NGOs. The database served to introduce projects to people, help NGOs identify alternative sources of support, and link new initiatives with existing experience.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hakobyan|first=Tatul|date=4 October 2008|title=Civilitas Foundation opens in Yerevan|url=http://armenianreporter.am/index.cfm?objectid=DBD0CD6C-3FF3-752C-2CE15AEFC8AFB36F|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706072358/http://armenianreporter.am/index.cfm?objectid=DBD0CD6C-3FF3-752C-2CE15AEFC8AFB36F|archive-date=2011-07-06|access-date=2010-02-26|newspaper=The Armenian Reporter|location=Yerevan}}</ref>
==See also== * Economy of Armenia * Education in Armenia
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|http://www.civilitasfoundation.org}} * [https://www.civilnet.am/ CivilNet]
{{Authority control}}
Category:Philanthropic organizations based in Armenia Category:Free Media Awards winners Category:2008 establishments in Armenia