Dear friends of Community Development NGO, Youth Exchanges without Borders, and all participants,
Today we spent the day in the beautiful town of Jermuk, where we had the pleasure of working with our partners at the Jermuk Youth Center (we already collaborated with this institution last year). Together, we participated in an engaging workshop focused on the role of NGOs in the context of globalization.
The Youth Center offers a variety of courses for young adults, including many from the former region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Participants have the opportunity to sell their handmade products in the NGO’s store, receiving the majority of the proceeds themselves. Only a small portion is retained to cover the cost of materials.
A particularly notable aspect of the center is its on-site childcare facility, which enables young mothers to attend courses and continue their personal development while their children are being cared for.
In the evening, we enjoyed a second workshop and a shared dinner with participants from a nearby camp. It was a joyful and meaningful gathering, made even more special by a visit from several former project participants from both Armenia and Switzerland. We are always glad to stay connected with them and to keep the spirit of exchange alive beyond the original project experience.
Background information on the Armenian partner organization:
Founded in 1995, Community Development NGO is the largest NGO in southern Armenia. It supports regional communities with social, economic, educational, cultural, and environmental programs. Key areas include youth empowerment, income generation, renewable energy, and refugee aid. Summer camps in Armenia and Georgia foster peace and cultural exchange. The NGO also runs global youth exchanges and helps locals engage in democratic, sustainable development for a stable, connected Armenian society. Since 2016, it cooperates with Swiss partner Youth Exchanges without Borders.