Focus

Amplify, Verify, Engage

The Amplify, Verify, Engage project promotes democratic growth, participatory governance, and cross-border cooperation, by strengthening civil society and independent media across Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Caucasus.

Years active: 2021-present

The Amplify, Verify, Engage: Information for Democratisation and Good Governance in Eurasia project builds on IWPR's previous Norwegian-supported initiatives, including the Giving Voice, Driving Change project. AVE will continue to promote democratic growth, participatory governance, and cross-border cooperation, by strengthening civil society and independent media across Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Caucasus.

Amplify, Verify, Engage (AVE) has three key objectives, through which IWPR will:

Amplify journalists and independent media voices producing verified, evidence-based reporting;
Verify reliable information by strengthening the capacity of civil society and independent media to counter misinformation and disinformation;
Engage civil society, independent media, public officials and the general public to foster increased dialogue and cooperation.

Established in collaboration with and funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the project directly supports Norwegian priorities and values, builds on long-standing Norwegian supported programming in the region, and expands on IWPR’s extensive local and regional networks of independent media and civic groups.

Latest from the project

Georgians in Abkhazia’s Gali district account for 98 per cent of the population. Yet, students struggle to study in their native language as authorities have imposed Russian as the language of instructions in all grades. © Monica Ellena/IWPR

Abkhazia: Erasing the Georgian language

Russian is now mandatory in all schools in Gali district.

The Manasyan brothers - Vigen, 46, and Arthur, 38 - get ready for the harvest. Most of their arable lands fell under Azerbaijani control in 2020, but they retain a small wheatfield near their house and tend vineyards for an owner who too scared to go there due to the proximity of Azerbaijan’s military posts. © Siranush Sargsyan/IWPR

Photo Essay

A Fearful Harvest in Karabakh’s Vineyards

Villagers in the Amaras valley vineyards pick grapes a few yards away from Azerbaijan’s military posts.

Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev votes in the the snap presidential election on November 20, 2022. © Official website of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Akorda.kz

Kazakstan: Same President, New Reforms?

The incumbent has promised change, but prospects for a more democratic system are not promising.

Members of the Russian military. © Igor Rudenko/Wikimedia

Tajik Migrants Coerced Into Russian Army

Reports grow that foreign workers are being forced to join Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Arsen and Tigran, a young Armenian couple, committed suicide together on 20 October '22. © Instagram/rayyyyyennnnn

Armenia: a Young Gay Couple’s Tragic Fate

The apparent suicide led to an outpouring of homophobic hate speech in a country that ranks low on LGBTI rights.

Kremlin's influence over Centra Asia seems to be waning following Russia's war against Ukraine. © Julmin/Creative Commons

Analysis

Will We See a Sovereign Central Asia?

As Moscow’s grip falters, and Beijing ups its influence, the region is seeing intriguing moves towards collective agreement and integration.

Armenian servicemen in frontline trenches separating the Armenian-controlled territory from the Azerbaijani forces in Nagorny Karabakh, pictured in May 2016. A draft law proposed to the possibility for conscripts to pay off part of the mandatory military service, rising concerns about bringing to the military ranks the country’s gap between rich and poor. © Monica Ellena

No War for the Rich: Army Bill Sparks Controversy in Armenia

Proposal would see soldiers allowed to make a hefty payment to the state so as to drastically reduce the time they serve.

Kazakstan’s Election: No Chance for Competition

Analysts see this is as opportunity for the president to assert himself outside the shadow of the country’s first leader.

A makeshift shelter for migrants in Berlin.

Armenian Migrants to EU Face Rejection

Thousands apply for asylum in Europe on flimsy grounds; very few are accepted.

IWPR ACADEMY

Newsrooms Countering Disinformation

IWPR film and online course available in seven languages is supporting young journalists across the Eastern Partnership region and Central Asia to detect and combat disinformation in their daily work.

Related Social Media pages

The Amplify, Verify, Engage (AVE) project builds on IWPR's previous Norwegian-supported initiatives, including the Giving Voice, Driving Change project. AVE will continue to promote democratic growth, participatory governance, and cross-border cooperation, by strengthening civil society and independent media across Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Caucasus.