MitOst Festival: Democratic Resilience in Practice: Civil Society Between Transformation and Uncertainty

The MitOst Festival 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of MitOst, and we’re proud to be organizing this year’s Festival with our partners from Armenia and institutional member represented in the MitOst Executive Board, EcoHub Foundation.

The Festival takes place at an important moment for the South Caucasus and Eastern Europe. Across the region, civil society is navigating complex challenges — from geopolitical tensions and shrinking civic space to the ongoing impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine. At the same time, Armenia is undergoing democratic reforms and increasingly positioning itself as a place for dialogue, cooperation, and regional exchange.

Taking place ahead of Armenia’s 2026 parliamentary elections and during a period of closer alignment with European democratic standards, the Festival offers a space to collectively reflect on how civil society can remain resilient, collaborative, and forward-looking in times of uncertainty.

Under the title “Democratic Resilience in Practice: Civil Society Between Transformation and Uncertainty,” we will come together with local civil society actors to exchange practical ideas, learn from one another, strengthen regional solidarity, and build meaningful relationships.

The first two days of the program will take place in Vanadzor (17–18 September), and the final two days in Yerevan (19–20 September).