The goal of the session is to set the tone for the 3-day event by providing the context of the challenging environment in which the civil society of the EaP and, to the growing extent, of the EU is functioning. The session will start with the inspirational speech of Haykuhi Harutyunyan, EaP CSF Steering Committee member, having the first-hand experience with the Velvet revolution in Armenia. The session will proceed in a world café format with participants getting to know each other and the EaP CSF.