RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan, and Deputy Minister Arthur Martirosyan visited Ararat Youth Center, which was established in cooperation with the ESCS Ministry, Ararat Municipality, and the “Ararat Youth Initiatives Centre” NGO and has been operating since March 2025.

Deputy Governor of Ararat, Artavazd Nazaretyan, Head of Ararat Community, Aslan Avetisyan, and representatives of local self-government bodies were also present at the visit.

Minister Zhanna Andreasyan toured the youth centre, got acquainted with the facilities, inquiring about the children's attendance procedure, engagement, and ongoing programs.

The Minister was informed that the beneficiaries of the centre are young people aged 13-18 and that the centre offers a variety of programs in professional orientation, media literacy, artificial intelligence, intellectual and entertainment games and competitions, and other areas. During the events, the youth are also informed on state youth policy and state programs implemented in the sector. At the initiative of the youth centre, visits to general education schools and secondary vocational educational institutions of the region are regularly organized to inform about the activities of the centre and the opportunities provided, as a result of which the interest and attendance of young people increase. The Minister inquired from the youth present how long they had been attending the centre, what their observations were, to what extent their expectations were met, etc. She emphasized that the opinion of young people is important in terms of advancing the further activities of the organization.

“I am very happy that young people are interested in the centre's activities and actively attend, either by participating in programs that interest them or simply organizing their own interesting pastime. Our goal is to create an environment in which young people will shape their desires and pursue their fulfillment,” said Zhanna Andreasyan, calling on those present to also invite their friends.

Young people visiting the Centre shared their impressions and interests, emphasizing that they have already set rules for the centre and follow them.

The Minister also paid a visit to Artashat, where it is also planned to establish a youth centre. The officials toured the area with the head of the community, Karlen Mkrtchyan, and discussed the upcoming activities. The issue of ensuring an accessibility of the youth centre to be created and providing targeted responses to the needs of its beneficiaries was emphasized.

Note that the RA Government’s 2021–2026 Action Plan envisages the establishment of 25 youth centres across the regions of Armenia by 2026, 8 of which are already operating, and 6 more will open by the end of the year.