EU4Youth Regional Youth Exchange in Armenia – Inspiration, Collaboration and Ideas That Transform Communities

Between 21–23 October 2025, the Regional Center for Community Development NGO, represented by Arina Arabadji, participated in the EU4Youth Regional Youth Exchange in Armenia — an event dedicated to celebrating achievements and promoting youth engagement across the Eastern Partnership countries.
The exchange brought together youth organizations from Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, and the Republic of Moldova, providing a valuable space for dialogue, reflection, and mutual learning.

Opening Conference: About Achievements and Inspiration

The first day was dedicated to the conference “ENGAGE: Celebrating Achievements and Inspiring Action”, where participants shared stories showing how local youth initiatives can transform entire communities. The event included networking sessions, project exhibitions, and thematic workshops on civic engagement, youth policies, and social inclusion.
Under the #EU4Youth umbrella, each participant had the chance to tell their story, learn from others, and leave with new ideas for action.

Study Visits: Learning Through Experience

The following days were dedicated to discovering inspiring models of youth engagement in Armenia:

• Alternative Youth Center, a free and inclusive space for young people in Yerevan, where discussions focused on sustainability and financial independence of youth organizations;

• Altera Lab Youth Centre in Aparan, a great example of how youth centers and social entrepreneurship initiatives can thrive even in small communities;

• National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, where young Members of Parliament discussed youth participation in decision-making, the role of women in politics, and challenges to achieving equal representation;

• TUMO Center for Creative Technologies, a unique hub offering free practical courses to young people in 14 creative and digital fields — from design and programming to music and robotics.

Lessons, Inspiration and Gratitude

The event concluded with a collective reflection session on what it truly means to “empower young people” and how ideas can be transformed into real change.

We are grateful to the GIZ Moldova team for the opportunity to “borrow good ideas,” share experiences, and return home with renewed energy and inspiration for our future projects.

Photo credit: GIZ Moldova