Deadline: 22-Jun-2026
The Building Resilience in the Eastern Neighbourhood II (BREN II) grant programme provides funding of GBP 40,000–80,000 for registered Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Armenia. It supports activity-based projects that strengthen civil society resilience, promote peace and security, and increase participation of women and marginalised groups in decision-making. Projects run up to 11 months and must be completed by 14 May 2027.
BREN II Programme Overview
The Building Resilience in the Eastern Neighbourhood II (BREN II) initiative is a civil society support programme designed to strengthen peace, security, and resilience in Armenia and the wider Eastern Neighbourhood region.
It builds on the earlier BREN I programme, which focused on supporting civil society organisations in advancing human security, peacebuilding, and inclusion, particularly for women and marginalised communities.
The programme is implemented in partnership with organisations such as the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders and aims to improve civil society capacity in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.
Purpose and Objectives of the Grant
The BREN II grant focuses on strengthening inclusive and resilient civil society systems by:
- Advancing Women, Peace and Security (WPS) objectives in the Eastern Neighbourhood
- Increasing women’s participation in peacebuilding and security processes
- Strengthening the capacity and resilience of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
- Improving internal governance and operational effectiveness of CSOs
- Enhancing external delivery capacity for community impact
- Providing training, mentoring, and technical assistance
- Supporting marginalised groups in decision-making processes
- Addressing systemic challenges linked to conflict and instability
The programme prioritises long-term resilience and inclusion in peace and governance systems.
Geographic and Strategic Context
The programme is focused on countries in the Eastern Neighbourhood region, with a strong emphasis on:
- Armenia
- Moldova
- Wider South Caucasus and neighbouring regions affected by protracted conflicts
It addresses challenges such as:
- Ongoing or frozen conflicts
- Weak institutional resilience
- Limited participation of women in security processes
- Exclusion of marginalised communities from governance
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Registered Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Armenia
- Media organisations registered as CSOs
- Organisations working on peacebuilding, human security, or social inclusion
Core eligibility requirements:
- Must be legally registered in Armenia
- Must implement activity-based projects
- Must focus on resilience, peace, or inclusion outcomes
- Must demonstrate capacity for project delivery within the timeframe
Funding Details (2025–2027 Cycle)
The BREN II programme offers structured competitive funding:
- Grant size: GBP 40,000 to GBP 80,000
- Project duration: up to 11 months
- Shorter project durations may be accepted
- Implementation start: second half of July (programme cycle dependent)
- Final completion deadline: 14 May 2027
Funding supports:
- Activity-based project implementation
- Capacity-building and organisational strengthening
- Training and mentoring programmes
- Civil society engagement initiatives
What Types of Projects Are Supported?
The programme funds projects that contribute to:
- Women’s leadership in peace and security
- Community-level peacebuilding initiatives
- Advocacy for inclusive decision-making
- Capacity-building for CSOs and local organisations
- Training programmes for resilience and governance
- Media and communication projects promoting peace and inclusion
- Conflict-sensitive development initiatives
- Marginalised group empowerment programmes
All projects must demonstrate measurable contributions to peace, security, or resilience.
How the Programme Works (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Identify Project Concept
CSOs develop an activity-based initiative aligned with Women, Peace and Security goals.
Step 2: Design Implementation Plan
Applicants prepare:
- Project objectives and outcomes
- Target groups (women, marginalised communities, CSOs)
- Timeline (up to 11 months)
- Budget and justification
Step 3: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure:
- Organisation is registered in Armenia
- Activities align with BREN II priorities
Step 4: Submit Application
Applications are submitted through the open competition process.
Step 5: Evaluation and Selection
Projects are assessed based on:
- Relevance to peace and security objectives
- Inclusion of women and marginalised groups
- Organisational capacity
- Sustainability and impact potential
Step 6: Implementation and Reporting
Selected CSOs implement activities and provide progress reporting throughout the project cycle.
Key Focus Areas
- Women, Peace and Security (WPS) implementation
- Civil society resilience strengthening
- Conflict-sensitive programming
- Inclusive governance and participation
- Capacity building and institutional development
- Media and communication for peacebuilding
- Regional stability and human security
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting projects without clear peace/security relevance
- Weak inclusion strategy for women or marginalised groups
- Overly broad or non-activity-based proposals
- Unrealistic timelines beyond 11 months
- Insufficient organisational capacity evidence
- Budgets not aligned with planned activities
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly link activities to Women, Peace and Security outcomes
- Define measurable indicators (participation, training reach, policy influence)
- Include strong capacity-building components
- Demonstrate local community engagement and trust
- Ensure conflict-sensitive and inclusive design
- Highlight sustainability beyond funding period
- Show collaboration with local stakeholders and networks
Why This Programme Matters
The BREN II initiative is important because it:
- Strengthens civil society in fragile and conflict-affected regions
- Promotes women’s leadership in peace and security
- Improves inclusion of marginalised communities in governance
- Builds institutional resilience of CSOs
- Supports long-term stability in the Eastern Neighbourhood
- Enhances local capacity to respond to systemic challenges
It directly contributes to more inclusive and sustainable peacebuilding efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the funding range?
Grants range from GBP 40,000 to GBP 80,000 per project.
Who can apply?
Registered Civil Society Organisations and media organisations in Armenia.
What is the project duration?
Up to 11 months, with some shorter projects accepted.
What is the main focus of the programme?
Strengthening civil society resilience and promoting inclusive peace and security.
When must projects be completed?
All projects must be completed by 14 May 2027.
Are women’s participation projects required?
Yes, projects must strongly support Women, Peace and Security objectives.
Is regional cooperation allowed?
Yes, projects may engage broader Eastern Neighbourhood stakeholders if relevant.
Conclusion
The Building Resilience in the Eastern Neighbourhood II (BREN II) grant programme provides critical funding for Civil Society Organisations in Armenia to strengthen resilience, promote inclusive peacebuilding, and expand participation of women and marginalised groups in decision-making processes.
For more information, visit Institute for War and Peace Reporting.