Cross-Border Operating Programs

Background:
Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia share a compact geographic are, many common cultural practices, and a long, interlinked history. Despite these deep ties, cross-border relations and collaborative efforts on a regional scale have diminished significantly since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Much of this can be attributed to the lingering political impasse between Armenian and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, but deep-rooted socioeconomic hardships and introspective attitudes have also contributed significantly to this state of affairs.

In 1998, Eurasia Foundation launched the South Caucasus Cross-Border Programs, a unique initiative designed to address shared regional challenges by developing common approaches, as well as by exchanging experiences and innovative ideas among engaged citizen groups in the South Caucasus.

Since 1998, the Programs invested over 6 million in grants and technical assistance to Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia by supporting more than 150 trilateral projects in such areas as independent media strengthening, economic development, environmental protection, and public policy development.

Goal:
EPF’s Cross-Border programs promote confidence building across the region of the South Caucasus by leveraging regional economies of scale, exchanging regional and international best practices, sharing innovative ideas, and fostering cooperative networks among civil society, media, and businesses from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.

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