The
youth department of the Armenia Red Cross Society takes a pro-active
approach to fundraising.
Two large international meetings were organized by the youth
department in mid-March, and were made a lot easier by local fundraising.
Traditionally, raising money locally in Armenia has been challenging.
Ordinary people have little extra to spare, and the rich people’s
money is not registered anywhere.
Challenging bureaucracy
The situation is also complicated by Armenian legislation, which
makes it very difficult for non-profitable organizations to
raise funds through commercial efforts, such as selling t-shirts
and refugee-made items.
Furthermore, the Armenian Red Cross has to pay tax from donations,
while many institutions require that a receiver of grants does
not have to pay taxes: Armenia has a governmental humanitarian
commission which issues proof for tax exemptions, but bureaucracy
makes this process long and draining.
But if you don’t try, you definitely will not get anything.
For the Eurasian youth meeting in March 2006, banks, embassies,
non-governmental organizations and local companies were approached
with requests to help with whatever they might find to spare.
The result was a mixture of cash and in-kind support, donations
ranged from a tour in one of Yerevan’s famous brandy factories
and drinks from a beverage company, to money from an international
bank. But fundraising campaigns can also result in more interesting
support, like tooth brushes from an NGO or 20 litres of gasoline
from the Georgian Embassy.
Grant applications
In March there were also deadlines for project proposals for
two grants. You guessed already? Yes, Armenia Red Cross youth
received grants for both projects. The first project
involves the possibility to dissemminate international humanitarian
law and HIV and AIDS cooperation together with a local youth organization.
However, the programme has not yet been implemented. As a humanitarian
organization, the Red Cross carries out its mission in accordance
with the Fundamental Principles of humanity. The main object
is to help. But in some cases, this principle can be challenged
by the principles of neutrality and impartiality.
Even if you want to do good things, your actions and intent
can be questioned by others, and this you have to take into
consideration. In our case, it has still not been decided if
the project will be carried out or not.
"The fact that we managed to qualify for this grant
during a very short period of time, is very encouraging," smiles
Katarina Vardanyan, Head, Youth Department.
For the other grant, the focus is HIV and AIDS awareness in Armenia.
With plans for stage performances and candle light procession,
celebrity quiz show on TV and surprise boxes placed on various
central locations in Armenia; Armenia Red Cross youth won the
grant. The work will start in connection with the national memorial
day for people who have died from AIDS related infections, 21
May, and will continue over the summer and into autumn with
other events.
Happy head of department
" There are many reasons why we were so successful in March
this year," Katarina says, and points specifically to the change
in attitude within the National Society. " There has been support from the National Society side earlier
as well, but this time it was more real and effective," the involved
head of department explains.
Also, the youth department’s volunteers and staff have
become more and more experienced, and based on previous effort
the work of youth is well-known and appreciated amongst donors. She also describes the good cooperation
environment in the office, and adds that the initiatives from
the Norwegian youth delegates have served as an extra input
to work more.
What next
Katarina also has some ideas for future fundraising. There are
plans to appoint a person responsible to search for grants that
comply with the position of the Armenian Red Cross youth. Another
plan is to arrange trainings on fundraising for staff, regional
leaders and volunteers.
" All over we will continue to develop the Red Cross youth as
an experienced, professional unit within the National Society,
and take tactical steps towards fundraising and sustainability,"
Katarina concludes confidently.
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The
youth meeting in Armenia in March, 2006, was made possible
by local fundraising efforts.
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Katarina
Vardanyan, Head, Youth Department, Armenian Red Cross,
is proud of their fundraising efforts and plans to work
more on developing these skills.
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