Background of the project
AGORA CE, o.p.s. in cooperation with the Armenian Progressive Youth NGO is implementing a project aimed at supporting equal and non-discriminatory participation of youth in political and public life in Armenia. With support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, the program will run from January 2025 to December 2026, aiming to actively involve young people in building a community and public life.
Why is it important?
Armenian youth play a key role in the political and economic development of the country – as they demonstrated, for example, during the peaceful revolution in 2018 and in the development of the IT sector. However, young people from less privileged groups – including refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh, over 115 thousand of whom fled to Armenia after the escalation of the conflict in 2023 – often face obstacles to achieving mobility and self-realization. These young people, many of whom have found refuge in areas such as Kotayk, Ararat and Armavir, need special support to engage with their host community and to access education. While the importance of youth participation in decision-making processes is recognized in Armenia, in practice it is still limited, especially at the local level. Young people are often perceived as incapable of making decisions on their own, which threatens participatory democracy. Moreover, while there was an increase in young people in government bodies after the 2018 revolution, this trend has reversed, and in 2022 there was only one representative under the age of 30 in the government. Furthermore, the absence of a legislative framework for youth hinders the effective implementation of youth-focused policies. Therefore, the project aims to empower young people, foster a culture of civic engagement and help them overcome the obstacles they face.
What will happen?
The project involves selecting 25 participants for the Activism Academy, where they will gain the skills, knowledge and resources needed to actively engage in public life. A study trip to the Czech Republic will also take place, where 9 participants will gain experience with successful civic engagement projects. Participants will also have the opportunity to implement their own projects with the support of small grants. An online library of educational tools will also be created and the project outputs will be presented at a national youth forum.
Impact on communities
The project aims to amplify the voices of active young Armenians and inspire wider youth engagement. By supporting youth and increasing their visibility in the Ararat, Armavir, Kotayk and Aragatsotn regions, the project contributes to building a stronger and more democratic society
Who will participate in the project?
The project is intended for young people aged 16-25 in Armenia, including refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh.
Project objectives
To empower youth in Armenia so that they can actively participate in building community and public life.
To increase the visibility of active young Armenians and inspire wider youth engagement.
The project “Engaged Youth – Future Active Citizens of Armenia” has the potential to support active citizenship, skills development and youth involvement in public life in Armenia.
The project was supported by funds from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic within the framework of the Transformation Cooperation Programme of the Czech Republic.
