An exciting wave of innovative activism is emerging across the former Soviet Union -from Russia to Armenia to Belarus - The Guardian says in a fresh article about a surge in online justice campaigns which is making a difference.

"In Armenia, the optimism and energy of young civil society is contagious, says the author of the article Barbara von Ow-Freytag, a Brussels-based writer and political scientist.

"Anyone still convinced that all is doom and gloom in the post‑Soviet era should pay a visit.

"Last year, young tech-savvy activists played a key part in encouraging citizens to take to the streets – a grassroots mobilisation that led to the resignation of the prime minister.

"Their communication skills also ensured the protests remained peaceful."

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across Armenia to demand the resignation of then authorities in April-May 2018. As a result, campaign leader Nikol Pashinyan was elected the new Prime Minister, and a new Parliament was formed in elections in December 2018.