2018 marked a year of significant political change for Armenia. After weeks of protests, decade-long ruler Serzh Sargsyan resigned. Protest leader and opposition parliamentarian Nikol Pashinyan was then elected Prime Minister. With promises to fight corruption and improve economic conditions, the prime minister’s My Step alliance swept the December 2018 snap parliamentary elections. The political transition presents Armenia with an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen democratic institutions and practices.

NDI has conducted Armenia programming since 1994, with a focus on supporting political parties to develop youth wings, improve campaign and outreach skills, build cross-party alliances and launch local initiative projects. Since 2018,  NDI has been working closely with parties, parliamentary factions, and civil society partners to strengthen and sustain the momentum for democratic reforms. The Institute’s efforts in Armenia are designed to support political pluralism and vigorous, policy-focused political discourse.