Young people contribute to improving community life through their ideas and initiatives, says Zhanna Andreasyan

Under the Armenian government’s 2021–2026 programme, 25 youth centres are to be operating in the country’s regions by 2026. A new youth space was inaugurated in Khoy community of Armavir Province on June 29, attended by Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan, Head of the European Union Delegation to Armenia Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, Deputy Minister Arthur Martirosyan and representatives of local self-government bodies.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, the youth space was established in Geghakert settlement as part of the “Youth in Action: Empowering and Mobilising Young People in Armenia” programme. The initiative is funded by the European Union and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and implemented jointly by World Vision Armenia, the Media Initiatives Center and the Gyumri Youth Initiative Centre.

A free and open environment for young people

Welcoming the participants, Minister Andreasyan said the purpose of youth spaces and youth centres is to create environments where young people feel free, confident and creative, enabling them to express their ideas and develop initiatives that become the starting point for positive change in their communities and ultimately contribute to positive developments across the country.

“This is the significant impact we are already witnessing in the youth centres that are operating today. One of the government’s most important recent initiatives, participatory budgeting, has also demonstrated that such youth centres and spaces play a crucial role in ensuring the effective implementation of new participatory tools. It is young people who, by taking part in these processes, contribute to improving the quality of community life through their ideas and projects and create the conditions necessary for that,” the minister said, stressing the importance of establishing similar spaces in as many communities as possible.

Youth spaces operate on the same values and methodology

Andreasyan thanked the European Union and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, describing the initiative as one of the best examples of how state policy and partner programmes can complement each other and create added value.

She noted that one of the government’s priorities is to establish youth centres in communities across the country, providing young people with quality opportunities for participation and self-expression. Youth spaces created under various programmes operate on the basis of the same values and methodology, contributing to the development of civic education.

Communities involve youth workers

The minister also highlighted the role of local communities, stressing that such initiatives cannot succeed without their active participation and engagement.

“It is essential to promote youth participation at the community level. Under the Law on Youth Policy, communities have an important responsibility to implement youth policy locally. Many of our communities are moving confidently in that direction by allocating dedicated budgets for youth programmes and engaging youth workers, making youth policy more institutionalised and sustainable,” Andreasyan said.

She also underscored the importance of cooperation with non-governmental organisations and civil society, describing it as a key element in advancing youth policy.

“I hope we will have many more opportunities to gather in this and our other youth spaces to witness initiatives that demonstrate the important contribution of young talent and innovative ideas to the country’s development,” she added.

Youth spaces as laboratories of democracy

Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Ambassador Vassilis Maragos also addressed the event.

“These spaces will serve as laboratories of democracy, where young people will develop their critical thinking skills, contributing to greater resilience. This space is more than just infrastructure. It will enable young people to participate in non-formal education, volunteer work, community-based activities, civic engagement and leadership development,” the ambassador said, thanking all partner organisations involved in the project.

Remarks were also delivered by Valya Martirosyan, Director of the Youth Initiative Centre NGO; Ani Torosyan, Team Leader of the “Youth in Action: Empowering and Mobilising Young People in Armenia” programme at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation; and Eduard Apoyan, Deputy Mayor of Vagharshapat.

Young people turn ideas into reality: Outdoor sports ground built in Doghs village

Eva Karapetyan, coordinator of the youth space, presented the centre’s activities, opportunities and ongoing programmes.

Minister Andreasyan spoke with young participants about the ideas being developed at the centre and their favourite activities. She encouraged them to inform their peers about the opportunities available, stressing that the youth space is a platform of opportunities that should be actively used by both the state and young people.

One of the community’s active young residents, Yeghishe Arsenyan, said that after learning about the participatory budgeting programme at the centre, he proposed the construction of an outdoor sports ground in Doghs village. The project won the public vote, and the sports ground is now operating in the village, while similar projects continue to be implemented in other communities.

Youth spaces are designed as safe, inclusive and creative environments where young people can participate in non-formal education programmes, develop soft and leadership skills, initiate community and volunteer activities, and become actively involved in community development.

Within the framework of the “Youth in Action: Empowering and Mobilising Young People in Armenia” programme, six youth spaces have been established and are now operating in Armavir, Shirak, Lori, Gegharkunik, Tavush and Syunik provinces. To ensure their long-term sustainability, memorandums of understanding have been signed between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, the respective municipalities and civil society partners.