“Syunik Civil Society Development Center ” is an educational, social-economic, community development, legal non-governmental organization which was founded in 2004. Initially it was called “Zangezur” which was an educational, cultural-scientific non governmental organization. Later on, in 2005, it was renamed the present name.


The mission of the organization is to:

Promote the formation and development of civil society, rule of law through legal protection, public policy, campaigns and citizen participation.

Syunik Civil Society Development Center Legal Clinic

With the support of ABA ROLI  the Legal Clinic has been functioning since May 1, 2008. Within the scope of the project 10 seminars on average and 5 workshops were organized for around eighty 3rd and 4th year law students from Kapan Russian-Armenian Contemporary Liberal Arts Academy, Agricultural Institute and European College aiming to provide additional legal knowledge to students. Along with the lawyer of the Clinic the students also went to court hearings. They have the opportunity to use the rich law library of “Civil Society Development Center of Syunik” NGO.

From September 20 until October 5 of this year the students of the Legal Clinic were involved in the “Electoral List Correction” project implemented by IFES before the elections of local self-governing bodies that were to take place on October 12. They also participated as local observers for LSGB elections through “Democratic Elections-Powerful State” project. The students of the Legal Clinic are also involved in the activities of “Syunik Anti-Corruption Center”.

The Legal Clinic has a lawyer, a coordinator and 6 student consultants who permanently work with them. In October, free legal aid was provided to 15 citizens who were in need of social support.

The Mobile Clinic project was launched in November and has already visited four villages inhabited by refugees. According to the work plan, the Mobile Clinic must visit four communities each month. After the first visits to rural communities there came a suggestion to place small boxes in villages for letters and complaints, to read those once a month and to provide specific consultation to people.