A few words
About Us
Our Mission
To save lives, protect dignity, and build systems that ensure justice, freedom, and opportunity across borders.
We deliver life-saving humanitarian aid where it’s needed most — while advancing cross-border cooperation, economic diplomacy, and gender-responsive governance. Rooted in Armenia, we work locally and regionally to ensure that borders are not barriers, but bridges between protection and progress.
Our Vision
We do not compromise security, dignity, or opportunity — but connect trusted partners through systems built on safety, sovereignty, and shared progress.
We are for secure border governance and values-driven cooperation — bridging Europe and Asia through selective, high-standard trade, inclusive diplomacy, and empowered civil society.
This is the future Open Borders builds:
Where protection is immediate, systems are just, and transformation flows across secure, well-regulated trade channels and trusted border systems.
Open Borders Institute is governed by a diverse and experienced Board of Trustees, composed of national and international leaders in diplomacy, business, technology, public administration, and civil society.
We are proudly independent and Armenian-led, committed to regional partnership and international standards of accountability.
Our leadership team blends grassroots experience with global perspective — ensuring that every program we deliver is grounded, strategic, and built to last.
Founded in 2016, Open Borders Institute began as a bold vision: to transform borders from lines of division into spaces of protection, opportunity, and cooperation.
We started with democracy-building and women’s rights work across Armenia and the region. Over time, our mission expanded to life-saving humanitarian response, justice system reform, and cross-border economic integration.
We became known for our ability to deliver in crisis, lead complex cooperation initiatives, and bring governments, civil society, and the private sector to the same table.
Today, we are building a future where Armenia is a trusted regional hub for:
Humanitarian protection and GBV response
Cross-border economic diplomacy
Secure and smart border systems
Regional trade facilitation and EU standard adoption
And through all this, we remain grounded in our roots: feminist, rights-based, and people-focused.
We don’t just respond. We reimagine. We don’t just protect. We empower.
Transparency and accountability are at the heart of our work.
All major projects are externally audited or have been vetted (by EU, embassies, and independent reviewers)
Regular reporting to donors and partners
Financial and programmatic oversight by our Board of Trustees
Impact Snapshot:
360 GBV survivors supported with comprehensive aid
600+ displaced families received humanitarian assistance
1000 CSOs in Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, and Romania as recipients of the project developing digital working toolkit
55,000 citizens served through our in-house developed and managed digital governance platform, enhancing civic access and public service accountability
120 schools as beneficiaries of the project “Edu-logic” tailored for their needs
5 Academies for Gender Justice delivered (police, prosecutors, judges, CSOs, media) with 230 participants
Operational in Armenia, Ukraine, Georgia, and Romania
Strategic partners: Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, EU, UN HQ Vienna, OSCE, Council of Europe
Open Borders Institute of Peace, Democracy and Development
OUR VISION
At Open Borders, we champion gender equality in Armenia and Eastern Partnership Countries, inspired by the principles of the “Women, Peace, and Security” agenda. Our initiatives span political participation, human rights advocacy, education, socio-economic development, and immediate support for GBV survivors. Through collaborative efforts with local and international partners, we strive to create inclusive societies where every individual, regardless of gender, can thrive and contribute to lasting peace and prosperity
Timeline
2016
We first started our work
2017
Institutional growth and comprehensive transformation
2018
Attainment of NGO membership in Black Sea NGO and Euro-Arab Youth Forums
2019
Commencement of law reforms & law enforcement reforms projects
2020
Initiation of digital governance advocating projects
2023
Direct assistance to gender-based violence and war/conflict zone survivors
Achievements
- Within in-depth research on social studies in senior classes, redefining subject standards, and championing principles like inclusiveness, gender equality, impartiality, and free expression in the RA,
- Development and presentation of working digital tools for the civil society of the member states of the Black Sea region
- Successful implementation of political and economic empowerment programs for girls and women in regional and rural communities, more than 150 beneficiaries
- Creating a platform for direct dialogue between teachers, students and decision makers
- Creation of a CSO-police dialogue platform for sector reforms
- Creation and implementation of the first and only mobile application operating in the field contributing to the transparency, inclusiveness, accessibility and digital management of the RA Local Self-Government System.
- More than 120 women subjected to gender-based violence protection on an annual basis in the directions of legal, economic, social, psychological, medical support.
FOUNDERS
ELEONORA BEGOYAN
Eleonora Begoyan brings extensive expertise in the field of nonprofit and fund management, with a specific focus on advancing the causes of peace and security, fostering good governance, and empowering women in developing countries. As the Co-founder and President of the 'Open Borders' Institute of Peace, Democracy, and Development, she has demonstrated her commitment to these critical areas. Her credentials encompass a Master's Degree in Public Finance Management and ongoing studies as an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) candidate at the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management. In addition to her academic achievements, Miss Begoyan has undergone specialized training as a peace and security advocate under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). She holds a license as a specialist in conflict prevention and resolution within the OSCE area (License ID 14-3160-0619), further underscoring her commitment to advancing peace. Her extensive training experiences have primarily taken place on the international stage, with a focus on Europe and the Middle East. Ms. Begoyan's remarkable track record reflects her dedication to promoting positive change in the realms of peace, security, good governance, and women's empowerment."
SOS SARGSYAN
Mr. Sargsyan, a distinguished co-founder of the 'Open Borders' Institute of Peace, Democracy, and Development, brings to the fore over 12 years of profound expertise in the domains of finance and accounting. His professional journey has encompassed pivotal roles as a chief accountant and accountant within a spectrum of financial, nonprofit, and commercial organizations. Mr. Sargsyan is a holder of a Master's degree in Finance, underscoring his academic acumen. His quest for knowledge extended beyond academia, as he diligently pursued training opportunities primarily within the European context. Additionally, he has actively participated in a multitude of debates, events, and programs, thereby honing a critical thinking approach. This intellectual evolution was further enriched by his comprehensive exploration of Nietzsche's philosophy. Notably, Mr. Sargsyan has proudly served in the Armenian Armed Forces, where he achieved the rank of lieutenant and continues to serve as a reservist. His multifaceted background reflects a steadfast commitment to the principles of peace and security, democracy, and development.
Lusine Zakalashvili
Lusine Zakalashvili is the Vice President at Open Borders Institute of Peace, Democracy and Development. Passionate about empowering women and promoting gender equality, Lusine is an actively involved citizen with a politically active lifestyle. In addition to her role at Open Borders, she serves as a corporate English teacher, specializing in instructing IT professionals. Lusine actively represents the NGO in conferences and civil society discussions, contributing to the advocacy for increased women and youth participation in peace, security, and eliminating GBV initiatives.
BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
ELEONORA
BEGOYAN
President
Member of the Board of Management
SOS
SARGSYAN
Member of the Board of management
LUSINE
ZAKALASHVILI
Vice President
Member of the Board Management
LUSINE BAGASYAN-TONOYAN
Member of the Board of Management
ASTGHIK HAYRAPETYAN
Member of the Board Management
ASHOT
BEGOYAN
Member of the Board Management
Promoting and defending the rights of women is our unwavering commitment towards a more just and equitable world.
OUR DONORS
