EU to fund ‘support groups’ among Artsakh refugees ahead of Armenia’s parliamentary elections
According to RT, ahead of parliamentary elections in Armenia, the European Union plans to provide financial assistance to refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh. To this end, an “Accelerator for Social Services” will be established, involving grant recipients among NGOs operating in Armenia.
The initiative aims to create “support groups” among the refugee population. Experts told RT that the EU’s goal is “to reduce dissatisfaction among Karabakh residents toward the current government and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan personally.”
The “Accelerator” will be implemented under the EU-funded program RISE Armenia: Recovery, Social Inclusion, and Empowerment of Displaced and Vulnerable Populations. The project description states that it intends “to develop innovative social services specifically targeting Nagorno-Karabakh refugees living in all regions of Armenia.”
According to the grant program documents, 20 specialized NGOs will receive organizational and advisory support. Half of the most promising organizations will be selected to receive up to €50,000 for local initiatives.
The EU’s strong interest in the fate of internally displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh is directly linked to the parliamentary elections scheduled in Armenia in 2026. Experts speaking to RT said these refugees present the greatest challenge for the current government, as the majority hold strongly negative views of Prime Minister Pashinyan.
Earlier reports indicated that Brussels would also fund a program to retrain election observers and media activists in Armenia, aimed at combating “misinformation” and increasing “civic participation” in political processes. Experts interviewed by RT noted that ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections, the EU is seeking to reduce Russian influence in the region, including through increased funding for networks of supported NGOs. According to the EU grant portal, financing has been allocated for the implementation of the ProElect project.
