About us

Welcome to Stepanavan Youth Center's Blog!

Stepanavan Youth Center (SYC) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization in Stepanavan, Armenia.

SYC was established in October 2001 by active young people of Stepanavan with the aim to assist in the development of their home town and country. The organization registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia in June 2002.

While concentrating on local issues and challenges, we are actively working with international actors. Our main goals are to assist in the exchange of experience, knowledge and skills of young people from Stepanavan and Armenia with their peers across the world, increase information accessability and opportunities for cultural exchange.

The SYC is a member of several international youth networks (YEE, WYPS, Asia-Europe Youth Network for sustainable development, YWAT, United, International Youth Leadership Network, etc.). The organization is actively cooperating with local government, NGOs, as well as international youth organizations worldwide.

The SYC has got recognition of the Prime Minister of Armenia, Andranik Margaryan in December 2004. The founder and first president of SYC, Lilit Simonyan received YouthActionNet international youth award (June 2004) for the outstanding work of SYC in youth volunteerism and leadership development by International Youth Foundation (USA) and Nokia.

Mission and Goals

The Mission of the SYC is to promote active youth citizenship and youth participation in addressing social, cultural and environmental issues in local communities organizing training, consultations, special projects, campaign, spreading information and providing possibilities for exchange of information and competences with their peers.

The Goals of the organization are to:

• Unify youth
• Promote volunteerism
• Promote youth work in the region
• Encourage active involvement of young people in their community
• Increase access to education
• Develop youth information, counseling and research resources
• Promote sustainable human development
• Create appropriate conditions for self-expression
• Raise the role and significance of youth and women in state's political and social life
• Establish connections and exchange of experiences with local and foreign youth organizations
• Organize camps, training programs, seminars, and projects for youth
• Promote international cooperation, exchange of experience, and intercultural learning

Projects in all spheres of activities of the SYC are directed to the involvement of young people in their community, promotion of their active participation, and development of youth volunteerism and leadership.