Question 1

Do you represent any political party or force?

Accepted Answer

No. Non-affiliation means we are free to examine and criticize the actions of any political figure, that we put our name behind no one, and that we owe nobody loyalty. That doesn't make us apolitical: people here are political and hold opinions on a wide range of questions. But the chat exists so that people with different views can talk about the city. If Katya, Siranush, Vanya and Ashot are defending a square from being cut down, it matters little what each of them thinks about taxes, foreign policy or cinema — that isn't what they came together for. Discussing politics here is fine; turning the chat into a battlefield over sympathies for one political force or another is not.

Question 2

Why don't you endorse a candidate who promises the things you campaign for?

Accepted Answer

Because an endorsement is not about one item in a program. We would be investing our reputation in a candidate, and from then on they would be the one spending it: bike lanes today, half a block demolished to build them tomorrow, and we have already vouched for it. It also works in a quieter way: a warm contact with a politician builds up, they ask us not to make a fuss over something small, and after a couple of concessions like that the community stops saying what it thinks. So we back decisions, not people. A specific project can be praised, criticized and demanded — and tomorrow we can say the opposite about its author, if that is what they have earned.

Question 3

Where do you get funding? Who pays you?

Accepted Answer

Currently, Yerevan for People operates entirely on volunteer basis without any external funding. All our activities — from organizing events to creating content — are done by community members in their free time. We don't receive money from political parties, governments, corporations, or other organizations. If we ever decide to accept funding in the future, we will be fully transparent about our sources and spending.

Question 4

Are you registered as an NGO?

Accepted Answer

No, we are not currently registered as a legal entity or NGO. Yerevan for People exists as an informal community of volunteers united by shared values and goals. This structure allows us maximum flexibility and independence. We don't need formal registration to speak up about urban issues, organize community actions, or engage with authorities. Should the need arise in the future, we will consider formalization, but for now, our informal structure serves our mission well.