On March 29, the official opening ceremony of the “DUCO” Youth Center was held in Dilijan. The center was established through a collaboration between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia and the “Youth Cooperation Center of Dilijan” NGO.
The project was funded by a grant from the Ministry of Education and Culture, aimed at the establishment of youth centers.


The official opening ceremony was attended by Minister Zhanna Andreasyan of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports (RA MօESCS), Deputy Minister Artur Martirosyan, Deputy Governor of the Tavush region Narek Ghushchyan, Head of Dilijan community Davit Sargsyan, Head of Ijevan community Artur Chagharyan, members of the Public Council attached to the Minister of RA MօESCS, youth organizations from the region, as well as representatives from other communities, international organizations, and local entities.
In the first part of the event, Artur Ghazaryan, the president of the “Youth Cooperation Center of Dilijan” NGO, welcomed the guests and presented the various halls of the “DUCO” Youth Center, explaining their operational significance. The Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, Zhanna Andreasyan, and the Deputy Governor of Tavush Marz, Narek Ghushchyan, also delivered welcome speeches.
The event concluded with Aida Atabekyan, project manager at “Youth Cooperation Center of Dilijan” NGO, outlining the work plan and existing programs of the “DUCO” Youth Center.
The objective of the “DUCO” Youth Center is to provide tailored conditions and opportunities for the youth of the greater Dilijan community, including NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) individuals. The center seeks to foster the development of their abilities, facilitate the acquisition of new skills and knowledge, enhance motivation, and help uncover their potential. Furthermore, it promotes socialization, supports employment, encourages a healthy lifestyle, offers intellectual entertainment, facilitates mobility within Armenia and abroad, and involves young people in local decision-making processes.
The center plans to have 600-800 beneficiaries annually, engaging them in multidisciplinary activities utilizing non-formal educational methods. These activities will range from skills identification and development courses to research and analytical work, as well as initiatives aimed at solving community problems.
In addition to the scheduled educational events, the center plans to organize intellectual entertainment activities for community members. These activities will be inclusive, engaging individuals of various ages within the community. Furthermore, the center will provide a childcare and entertainment room specifically for mothers with young children, thereby facilitating their access to the center’s services.
The “Youth Cooperation Center of Dilijan” NGO, which directly initiated the creation and launch of the “DUCO” Youth Center, has 15 years of experience in implementing various programs for youth, women, and other socially engaged groups. The establishment of the “DUCO” Youth Center will significantly enhance the NGO’s efforts, expanding and increasing the effectiveness of its public benefit activities.
⇓ Below we present the references of the RA media regarding the opening of the “DUCO” youth center.