According to the Government's 2021-26 program, 25 youth centers are scheduled to operate in the regions of Armenia by 2026. Today, a new youth space was officially opened in Khoy community, Armavir Province, with the participation of Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan, Head of the European Union Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, Deputy Minister Artur Martirosyan, and representatives of local self-government bodies.
The space was established in the Geghakert settlement within the framework of the "Youth in Action: Empowering Youth and Promoting Leadership in Armenia" project. This initiative is funded by the European Union and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and is implemented in cooperation with World Vision Armenia, the Media Initiatives Center, and the Gyumri "Youth Initiative Centre" NGO.
A Relaxed, Free Environment for the Youth
Welcoming the attendees, ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan noted that the purpose of youth spaces and centers is to provide environments where young people feel relaxed, free, and creative. Through the expression of their ideas and thoughts, they can advance initiatives that spark positive changes within their communities and, ultimately, contribute to positive transformations across the entire country.
"This is the significant impact we are already witnessing in existing youth centers. One of the Government's recent crucial initiatives—the participatory budgeting process—further demonstrates that the importance of such youth centers and spaces in ensuring the effectiveness of new toolkits is more than substantial. It is the young people themselves who, by participating in these processes, contribute to improving the quality of community life with their ideas and projects, creating the necessary conditions for it," the Minister noted, emphasizing the need to shape such environments in as many communities as possible.
Youth Spaces Operate with the Same Values and Methodology
Zhanna Andreasyan expressed gratitude to the partners from the European Union and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, noting that this is an excellent example of state policy and partnership programs aligning harmoniously to co-create added value.
According to the Minister, establishing youth centers in all communities is one of the Government's priorities, ensuring quality opportunities for participation and self-expression for young people. The youth spaces established through various programs operate on the basis of the same values and methodology, contributing to the development of civic education.
Communities Engage Youth Workers
The ESCS Minister also highlighted the role of the community, stressing that such initiatives cannot become a reality without active community participation and engagement.
"Promoting youth participation at the community level is vital. Under the Law 'On Youth Policy,' communities hold an important function to implement youth policy at the local level. Many of our communities are following this path with great willingness, allocating separate budgets for youth programs and involving youth workers in communities, which makes the work in the youth sector more institutional and sustainable," Zhanna Andreasyan noted.
The Minister also emphasized cooperation with non-governmental organizations and civil society, stating that it plays a pivotal role in advancing youth policy: "I hope we will have many more occasions to be present, both here and in our other youth spaces, for initiatives that will bear witness to the vital contribution of young talents and innovative ideas to the country's development."
Youth Spaces as Democratic Laboratories
Vassilis Maragos, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador, also delivered a welcoming speech during the event.
"These spaces will serve as democratic laboratories where young people will develop their critical skills, contributing to increasing resilience. This space is more than just infrastructure; it will enable young people to participate in non-formal education, volunteer work, and community-based activities, fostering civic engagement and leadership development," the EU Ambassador said, thanking all cooperating parties.
Welcoming remarks were also delivered by Valya Martirosyan, Director of the "Youth Initiative Centre" NGO; Ani Torosyan, Project Coordinator/Team Leader of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's "Youth in Action: Empowering Youth and Promoting Leadership in Armenia" project; and Edvard Apoyan, Deputy Head of the Vagharshapat community.
Bringing Ideas to Life: Outdoor Sports Ground Built in Doghs Village
Eva Karapetyan, coordinator of the youth space, presented the center’s activities, opportunities, and ongoing programs through a video presentation.
During the event, Minister Zhanna Andreasyan spoke with the young participants, asking about the ideas being developed at the center and the activities they enjoy most. She encouraged them to inform their peers about the youth space, emphasizing that it is a platform of opportunities that should be actively used by both the state and young people.
One of the community’s active young people, Yeghishe Arsenyan, shared that after learning about the Participatory Budgeting program at the center, he proposed the construction of an outdoor sports ground in Doghs village. His proposal received the most votes and was selected for implementation. As a result, the sports ground is now operational in Doghs, and the initiative is continuing in other communities as well.
Youth spaces are designed as safe, inclusive, and creative environments where young people can participate in non-formal education programs, develop soft and leadership skills, initiate community and volunteer projects, and actively contribute to the development of their communities.
Within the framework of the "Youth in Action: Empowering and Strengthening Youth Leadership in Armenia" project, six youth spaces have been established and launched in the provinces of Armavir, Shirak, Lori, Gegharkunik, Tavush, and Syunik. To ensure their long-term sustainability, memorandums of understanding have been signed between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, the respective municipalities, and civil society partners.