What does it take to make support for refugees and other vulnerable groups more effective? Strong organisations, skilled teams and respect for people’s rights.

For civil society organisations (CSOs) working with refugees in Armenia, that starts with how they run themselves: managing staff fairly, communicating clearly, and keeping teams motivated and well supported. It also means knowing the legal ground they stand on, including Armenia's Labour Code and the European Social Charter, both of which shape how they can protect their own employees' rights while reducing legal and operational risk.

These were the themes of a practical training that brought CSOs together for hands-on exercises, case studies and group discussions.

But the impact goes beyond the organisations themselves.

Organisations that manage themselves well are better equipped to protect rights, advocate for fair treatment and provide quality support to refugees, displaced persons, labour migrants and other people in vulnerable situations. Strengthening the organisations is, in the end, a way of strengthening the people and communities they serve.

The training was another step in the Council of Europe’s efforts to build sustainable, rights-based and people-centred support systems in Armenia, strengthening not only the organisations, but ultimately the people and communities they serve.

This initiative was organised within the framework of the Council of Europe Projects "Strengthening human rights safeguards for the displaced population in Armenia" and “Enhancing social human rights in Armenia”.