On March 13, the city of Aparan officially assumed the title of the 2025 Youth Capital of the Republic of Armenia. The DeaLog team gladly participated in the opening ceremony, which was attended by the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia Zhanna Andreasyan, Deputy Minister Artur Martirosyan, representatives of local government bodies, as well as community residents and guests.
In her congratulatory speech, Minister Zhanna Andreasyan highlighted the ongoing work with youth and emphasised the significance of the recently adopted Law on Youth Policy
"With the adoption of the new law, new opportunities for the development of the sector and more active policy-making are opening up, and it is very important that the legal opportunities provided are fully implemented. In Aparan, we have a good set of tools - the possibility of participatory budgeting, which means that young people can not only develop and discuss good ideas, but also implement them," the minister noted.
We would like to note that participatory budgeting is an important tool not only for young people but also for community residents to take a more active role in the local self-government system. This model aligns with the decentralisation agenda, as it empowers communities to make independent decisions and manage their resources more effectively whilst considering the needs and initiatives of citizens.
The opening ceremony was preceded by an exhibition of works by students of the Aparan Art School, a performance by students of the Aparan Music School, as well as a presentation of the activities of non-governmental organisations operating in the community.
During the event, members of the DeaLog project team had the opportunity to meet with representatives of different communities, discuss developments in the field, and joint steps towards the future.
The official event concluded with the signing of a memorandum between the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and Aparan Municipality, aimed at promoting youth engagement in the Aparan community by supporting the implementation of youth initiatives.
* The photo credits belongs to the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia