BEM is an NGO based in
Yerevan, Armenia, founded in 2004. Literally meaning “the platform” - BEM
brings together young people, NGOs and anyone interested in independent media,
civil society, human rights, activism, art and culture, subcultures, swapping
culture events, photography, films, environments and environmental education,
alternative lifestyles, eco-villages, eco-technologies, and international
exchange projects such as European voluntary service, Youth Exchanges,
Trainings, Seminars etc. BEM activities are aimed at stimulating active
participation in local and global society. BEM provides youth with an outlet
for artistic and journalistic impulses, as well as the skill building
opportunities and facilities necessary to cultivate their abilities. The Center
provides youth with resources, like photography and video training, an
electronic and print library, a meeting place, and above all an outlet for
youth culture.
Our goal is to build an
active movement to foster the growth of civil society and affect positive
change in human rights, culture, ecology and the social situation in Armenia,
particularly among its youth.
In the last 15 years
since establishment the BEM team has been actively working on necessary
for the transition into a civic responsible lifestyle. Through support in the
activities and creativity of the youth, BEM has been organizing
cultural-environmental-social events in Yerevan, Armenia and abroad, hosting
volunteers from other countries, sending volunteers to other countries, thus
creating opportunities for the youth to interact and have intercultural
experiences, which is a key factor for international collaboration and building
mutual trust.
Our organization had a
board member in one of the oldest youth environmental grassroots organizations
of Europe – EYFA (European Youth Forest Action) for 5 years and participated in
a number of international environmental and activist campaigns and projects
such as Ecotopia international annual conference (Netherlands 2004, Moldova
2005, Slovakia 2006, Germany 2010), Art and Activism Caravan (UK to Greece over
land and sea 2006), Morgenland Art and Activism Festival (Liechtenstein 2011),
Upcycling Festival (Germany 2011), Localizer Contact Making Seminar (Poland
2018), Swapping Culture Project (Germany 2018) etc.
The skills and
experience of key staff involved from BEM are the following:
- Organization of local and international intercultural
exchanges, youth exchanges, volunteering and other types of projects;
- Continuous collaboration and partnership on local and
global levels;
- Strong intercultural communication competences;
- Working closely with local and international media;
- Organizing environmental and cultural campaigns;
- Organizing cultural events with culture-jamming and
discussions;
- Organizing trainings and seminars.
