Rapid Response to COVID-19 for Vulnerable Groups in Armenia

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted social and economic systems across the world, and magnified existing vulnerabilities and inequalities. The prompt implementation of mitigation measures has been highly effective in reducing the public health impacts of the crisis in Armenia. However, many households have experienced a loss of income, the closure of childcare or services for elderly people, disruption to education, or challenges in accessing social services when they are needed most.

The situation has been aggravated by the Lebanon explosion in August 2020 and the recent escalation of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno Karabagh (NK), at a time when COVID-19 cases are increasing and cold weather and winter is approaching. This is putting at risk the health of many civilians in various communities of Armenia and their immediate caretakers. In addition to already present Syrian-Armenians, migrant workers that have not been able to leave Armenia for (seasonal) work abroad, new spontaneous arrivals of Armenians from Lebanon and of families from conflict affected areas including NK means that Armenia currently hosts a large number of vulnerables that are either looking for permanent or temporary residence across different Marzes and the capital Yerevan. In this situation, it is particularly important to preserve the safety measures to stop the further spread of COVID-19 virus and through public awareness campaign inform civilians of preventive measures to protect themselves, close relatives, host communities, health and social workers as well as the paying particular attention to those that may be severely ill from it.

PIN recognizes the crucial role of local CSOs that can play in the current situation, while fostering the mobilization of volunteer groups to support the civilians in mitigating the risks of the further spread of COVID-19 while being moved from one location to another.

Objective of the Call

The aim of this emergency response call is to address the immediate COVID-related health and social needs of the most vulnerable groups, with a particular focus on displaced civilians, including spontaneous arrivals, to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.

Target groups

The Covid-19 situation puts a lot of stress on many Armenian communities as well as on health and social workers hosting the most vulnerable individuals and households. Proposed projects should demonstrate an understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable groups (including elders, people with disabilities, children, vulnerable women, etc.) in those communities and directly address the different and intersecting needs of them with a primary focus on spontaneous arrivals, displaced and other highly vulnerable individuals and households.

Successful proposals will address immediate needs and gaps, including but not limited to the following sectors:

Covid-19 prevention and protection. This could include actions such as:

 Distribution of Covid-19 hygiene kits;

 Supporting community and local support facilities, local information and coordination centers or public shelter centers for target vulnerable individuals and households with developing and implementing Covid-prevention immediate procedures such as distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and installation of protective measures;

 Supporting local health and social workers including community service centres;

 Preparation and dissemination of awareness raising materials on Covid-19 prevention actions, and/or referral or support information to access Covid-19 support.

Target regions

In this emergency call, proposed projects should target communities across Armenia hosting displaced and spontaneously arrived individuals and households.

Eligibility

This call for proposals is open to non-profit-taking civil society organisations with the status of a legal entity, established in Armenia. It is also possible to apply as a consortium where there is a clear distribution of the roles of each party.

Applications submitted by public administration institutions, State institutions, State agencies, local authorities, regional authorities, political parties or organisations affiliated with political parties are not eligible for this call.

Grant amount and duration

PIN will support individual grants up to a maximum of 3 000 000 AMD (around 5 000 Euro). Proposed projects should not exceed 8 weeks, where 6 weeks will be devoted to the implementation of proposed activities, while the last 2 weeks for reporting.

In case the number of high-quality proposals is higher than expected, PIN may open a subsequent call to provide additional grants.

Ineligible costs

The budget must be in line with the activities described in the application form. The following activities are not eligible under this call:

 Non COVID-19 related humanitarian aid

 Purchase of land or property

 Political or religious activities

 Environmentally harmful projects

 Activities focusing on research and needs assessment

 Retrospective activities (grant activities that have been completed or have commenced prior to signing the grant agreement)

Application Process

Applicants must submit all of the following:

 Annex 1 – Application Form

 Annex 2 – Budget

 Copies of charter and registration document

Applications can be submitted in English or Armenian. All submitted applications must be signed by the head of the applicant organisation, scanned and sent electronically.

The application package should be submitted to: grantsarmenia@peopleinneed.cz

Deadline for submission of full applications is October 24, 2020. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

Additional information

Potential applicants are invited to join an online information and Q&A session via the Zoom platform on October 20 at 4:30 PM։

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84014102015?pwd=eVk1ajZ5R01QZnBVeHU5UkVKVVFXUT09

Meeting ID: 840 1410 2015

Passcode: PIN

or submit your proposal related questions via email grantsarmenia@peopleinneed.cz by the end of October 21, 2020. Questions will be responded to within 2 working days.

Proposal selection process and criteria

Proposals will be evaluated by the Grant Selection Committee (GSC) comprised of internal and external stakeholders based on the following criteria:

Final decision will be announced by November 5th, 2020.

Any concerns or feedback related to the proposal selection process can be submitted to the PIN Armenia office at 33 Sayat-Nova Avenue, #83, Yerevan, Armenia or via e-mail: crm.armenia@peopleinneed.cz

Annex 1 – Application form template

Annex 2 – Budget template