Building skills, creating impact: the story of youth-led initiatives in Vardenis

Nestled in one of Armenia’s most remote border communities, the Vardenis SKYE Club, established under the EU4Youth project, has become a symbol of growth, opportunity, and hope for local youth. In a town where connection to the capital feels distant, and opportunities are limited, the club offers young people a place to learn, connect, and take meaningful action for their community.

The SKYE Club operates within the Vardenis Badeyan State College, where one of the classrooms was renovated through the EU4Youth SKYE Net – Skills and Knowledge for Youth Empowerment Network project. This space has since been transformed into a vibrant hub of creativity and collaboration, where young people come together to build their skills, share ideas, and design initiatives that make a real difference in their community.

For Siranush Voskanian, a young woman from Vardenis, this space became the starting point of her leadership journey.

“Being a community resident, I wanted to participate in the programme, be better informed, and as a team member and later team leader, use the programme to provide solutions to community issues.”

As the team leader of the Vardenis SKYE Club, Siranush quickly became one of its driving forces. Her role involves coordinating the team’s work, encouraging collaboration and responsibility among members, and representing the club’s achievements within the wider SKYE network. Through the experience, she gained valuable skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, communication, and public speaking – skills that have strengthened both her confidence and her capacity to inspire others.

Youth-led initiatives that make a difference

Thanks to EU support, the Vardenis SKYE Club has carried out two major community projects that tackle key local challenges and inspire youth-led change.

The first, ‘Empowering Youth through Soft Skills Development’, focused on strengthening the leadership, teamwork, and communication abilities of young people aged up to 35. The club organised interactive workshops and peer-to-peer trainings that engaged college students and other youth, motivating them to become active contributors to community life.

The second project, ‘Eco-Bags for a Greener Future’, promoted environmental awareness and sustainable alternatives to plastic use. With guidance from mentors, club members researched eco-friendly materials, learned production techniques, and began making reusable fabric bags. Beyond promoting environmental responsibility, the initiative introduced young people to the basics of social entrepreneurship, combining environmental care with creative business thinking.

“These projects helped our members to start thinking about their role and responsibilities in achieving results for the community,” says Siranush. “SKYE Club became a source of new experiences, friendships, and initiatives for members, shaping them into more active and responsible young people.”

From isolation to empowerment

The impact of the Vardenis SKYE Club is already visible across the community. The renovated youth space in the Vardenis Badeyan State College now serves as a dynamic centre for learning, creativity, and collaboration. Over 200 young people have directly benefited from workshops, trainings, and community projects, gaining confidence, improving their employability, and developing stronger communication and teamwork skills.

At the same time, environmental awareness has grown across the community, with both younger and older residents adopting more eco-friendly habits. The club has become a powerful example of active citizenship, proving that even in remote border communities, motivated young people can lead meaningful change.

A vision for the future

Looking ahead, Siranush hopes to see the club grow into a lasting centre for collaboration and youth development in the Gegharkunik region. “Our hope was that the club would become a centre for collaboration and youth development, bringing together young people from the region,” she says. “The courses conducted in the club will make young people more active, creative, and responsible community members.”

She believes that continued support from the EU4Youth programme can further strengthen young people’s confidence and participation in community development. As Siranush reflects on her experience, she sums up the spirit of the SKYE initiative: “This experience has taught us all that even a small initiative can have a great impact, shaping more responsible, confident, and proactive young people.”

The EU4Youth SKYE Net – Skills and Knowledge for Youth Empowerment Network project fosters the active participation of youth in both democratic and economic life by enhancing their entrepreneurial and career management skills, with a focus on disadvantaged youth, as well as supporting youth-led social enterprises that address community-level problems and focus on digital and green transition in Armenia, Georgia, and Moldova.