Strengthening Community Capacity in Harm Reduction in Armenia through Regional Partnership  On December 11 and 12, the second phase of the regional exchange program was held at the office of "Real World, Real People" NGO, with the participation of representatives from partner organizations in Georgia—New Vector and Mandala—as well as Médecins du Monde (MdM).  During a four-day study visit organized by MdM in October, Armenian specialists in the field of harm reduction and community representatives met with a number of organizations in Georgia—Step to the Future, Mandala, GeNPUD, and New Vector—studying their service models, community engagement tools, and advocacy experience. The purpose of that visit was to strengthen regional cooperation and transfer practical knowledge that can develop work in Armenia with the PWUD/PWID community.  

The second phase held in Yerevan focused on three main directions: Formation and launch of community initiatives, Overdose prevention and first aid, Drug quality checking and informed use.

Georgian experts Lasha Abesadze and Temo Khatiashvili conducted a two-day intensive training with the RWRP NGO team, covering community mobilization, communication, advocacy strategy, as well as practical methods for naloxone administration, first aid, and substance safety assessment.  

The main objectives of the program were: To develop the professional capacities of the RWRP NGO team, addressing international best practices in the field. To strengthen partnership mechanisms between organizations in Armenia and Georgia. To promote the engagement and self-employment of the PWUD/PWID community in Armenia. To expand regional cooperation in the field of harm reduction.  This initiative is an important step towards a stronger, unified, and community-centered harm reduction movement in Armenia and the entire South Caucasus.  

The program is implemented with the support of Médecins du Monde organization.