The EU-funded "RISE – Armenia: Rehabilitation, Social Inclusion, and Empowerment of the Displaced and Vulnerable Population" project aims to enhance Armenia’s social protection systems, with a particular focus on refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh. Led by World Vision Armenia in collaboration with the Armenian Association of Social Workers and People in Need NGO, the project aligns with the priorities of the Republic of Armenia’s Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

The project addresses critical gaps by developing new social care and rehabilitation services, strengthening regulations, and training social workers to improve case management. Vulnerable populations will directly benefit from expanded social services and need based support programs, including up-skilling, re-skilling and self-employment opportunities. Additionally, the project empowers CSOs through sub-grants and capacity-building initiatives, fostering sustainable, community-driven solutions.

Through public awareness campaigns and media training, the project will promote social integration, ensuring widespread support for inclusion efforts. By integrating, empowering, and protecting vulnerable communities, it will contribute to a stronger, more inclusive social protection system in Armenia.

Specific Objectives:
1. Strengthening local social work mechanisms to provide hands-on assistance to vulnerable populations, especially refugees.
2. Ensuring access to essential social care and socio-rehabilitation services for vulnerable groups, with a focus on refugees.

Overall Objective:
The project aims to introduce and enhance social care, rehabilitation, and patronage services for vulnerable populations, particularly NK refugees. It will build national and community-level social protection capacities, support CSOs in service provision, and promote social inclusion through media engagement and direct service delivery.

Main Objectives:
1. Enhancing the quality of the local social workforce by conducting needs assessments, designing new services, training and supervising social workers, and strengthening CSOs.
2. Improving access to social care and socio-rehabilitation services through piloting "small group homes" in Tavush and Aragatsotn regions, and refurbishing the Maralik social house, providing social assistance via new service models, and funding CSO-led initiatives.
3. Promoting social inclusion and awareness by engaging mass media and implementing skill development programs for vulnerable populations.

By the completion of the project, the following key results will be achieved:

1. Enhanced Social Services for Vulnerable Populations
 New social patronage services will support families through home visits, fostering social skills and community integration.
 Social rehabilitation services, including MHPSS, will assist individuals with behavioral challenges.
 Home care services will provide personalized support to elderly individuals, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and those with limited mobility.
 "Small Group Home" model will offer temporary accommodation and care, promoting independent living.

2. Strengthened Social Workforce and CSO Capacities
 100 social workers will be trained in case management, refugee-specific work, and new service provision through gender- and inclusion-sensitive training, supervision, and an e-learning platform.
 15–18 CSOs will receive technical capacity building, mentoring, and state accreditation support for social service delivery.

3. Improved Access to Quality Social Services
 2 "Small Group Homes" will be established in Tavush and Aragatsotn.
 1 Social House in Maralik, Shirak region, will be refurbished and its services enhanced.
 10 Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTPs) will be provided to CSOs for gender-sensitive and inclusive service provision.

4. Public Awareness and Media Engagement
 10–12 journalists and bloggers will enhance their reporting skills on the challenges of vulnerable populations, including NK refugees.
5. Direct Support to over 2,000 Vulnerable Individuals
 600–700 individuals will receive social services through CSO sub-grants.
 172 vulnerable people will benefit from social care support via "Small Group Homes" and the Maralik Social House.
 80 individuals will undergo employment and self-employment training.
 20 self-employed vulnerable individuals will receive small-scale equipment support.