Civilpedia: Enriching Wikipedia with Articles on Civil Society

Civilpedia: Enriching Wikipedia with Articles on Civil Society was implemented within the “Enhancing the Impact of Civil Society Development” programme, led by the Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF) and funded by the Government of Sweden through the Embassy of Sweden in Yerevan. The project contributed to the programme’s broader objective of strengthening civil society in Armenia through capacity building, strategic support, and knowledge generation.

The project addressed a significant gap in Armenian-language digital content on civil society by focusing on Wikipedia, a widely used public knowledge platform. At the time of implementation, many core concepts, organizations, and practices related to civil society were either underrepresented or absent in Armenian on Wikipedia. Civilpedia aimed to improve both the quantity and quality of accessible, neutral, and verifiable information available to Armenian-speaking audiences.

Implemented between December 2023 and August 2024, the project combined training, content production, and accessibility measures. Approximately 20 participants, including journalists, students, and civic actors, received practical training on Wikipedia editing standards, open-source knowledge principles, and civil society frameworks. Participants applied these skills to develop new content and enhance existing entries.

As a result of the project, Armenian-language Wikipedia articles were created or substantially improved, covering topics such as civil society organizations, activism, human rights, journalism, environmental protection, and civic freedoms. To promote inclusivity, articles were voiced to ensure accessibility for users with visual impairments. Several entries introduced new Armenian-language content that had not previously existed on Wikipedia, contributing to long-term public access to civic knowledge.

Civilpedia strengthened digital literacy and open-knowledge capacities among participants while expanding the public availability of reliable information on civil society. By reinforcing Wikipedia as a shared public resource, the project supported informed civic engagement and contributed to a more transparent and inclusive information environment in Armenia.

For Nexus Intellect Research, Civilpedia represented a foundational project that combined research, capacity building, and digital knowledge production, helping shape the organization’s subsequent evolution into a geoeconomic and public policy think tank.

Building Open Civic Knowledge on Armenian Wikipedia

Implemented by Nexus Intellect Research within the Eurasia Partnership Foundation’s Enhancing the Impact of Civil Society Development programme, funded by the Government of Sweden through the Embassy of Sweden in Yerevan. The project enriched Armenian-language Wikipedia with high-quality content on civil society, expanding public access to reliable civic knowledge.

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Building Climate Resilience in Ararat

Pathways2Resilience is a flagship initiative of the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change. In October 2024, 39 regions and communities across Europe began an 18‑month journey to co‑develop climate‑resilience strategies, action plans, and investment plans. Each selected region receives a grant of €210,000 plus step‑by‑step technical guidance, capacity‑building support, and access to a climate‑resilience toolbox. The program aims to strengthen preparedness for hazards such as heat waves, droughts, wildfires, and floods.

The Ararat Community in Armenia was one of the regions selected from 164 applicants. The lead entity for this cohort is Nexus Intellect Research NGO, which collaborates with Ararat Municipality and the European University of Armenia.

Project Overview

Under Nexus’s leadership, the Ararat Community climate‑resilience project brings together local government, academic expertise, and civil‑society research capacity. The project’s goal is to produce a comprehensive climate‑resilience strategy and action plan for the Ararat Community that aligns with national and EU adaptation goals. Over 18 months, the team will work through the Pathways2Resilience Regional Resilience Journey, which provides a structured process for assessing local vulnerabilities, engaging stakeholders, identifying priority hazards, and co‑developing adaptive measures. The approach emphasizes evidence‑based analysis, broad community participation, and integration of climate resilience into economic and social planning.

Key Activities

Baseline Assessment and Vulnerability Analysis – Nexus Intellect Research is leading a systematic review of climate impacts, socio‑economic vulnerabilities, and institutional capacities within the Ararat Community. This baseline work lays the foundation for setting adaptation priorities.
Stakeholder Engagement – Working with Ararat Municipality and the European University of Armenia, the project convenes local officials, researchers, businesses, civil society organizations, and residents to identify risks, share knowledge, and co‑design solutions.
Strategy and Action Plan Development – Using Pathways2Resilience guidance and the Climate‑Resilience Toolbox, the team will translate findings into a forward‑looking resilience strategy. This plan will include an investment roadmap to attract finance for adaptation projects.
Capacity Building and Training – Through workshops and technical training sessions, stakeholders will strengthen skills in climate‑risk assessment, scenario planning, and project development, ensuring the strategy’s sustainability beyond the program timeframe.

Expected Impact

The Ararat Community climate‑resilience project is designed to deliver tangible improvements in local preparedness and adaptive capacity. By integrating climate considerations into municipal and regional planning, it aims to reduce the community’s exposure to climate hazards and unlock investment for green infrastructure and risk‑reduction projects. The collaboration among Nexus Intellect Research, Ararat Municipality, and the European University of Armenia serves as a model for academic‑municipal‑civil society partnerships, demonstrating how local leadership can leverage EU initiatives to build a more resilient and sustainable future for Armenia.

Ararat Community Climate Resilience Initiative

Nexus Intellect Research, in partnership with Ararat Municipality and the European University of Armenia, leads the Ararat Community’s participation in the EU‑funded Pathways2Resilience program. The 18‑month initiative provides a €210,000 grant and technical support to help Ararat develop a climate‑resilience strategy, action plan, and investment plan.