Militsa Eggert

Kristine Aghabekyan is a psychologist by profession. She has worked in various development centres for many years, supporting the growth and development of children aged 3 to 16.

At the only school in the village of Amberd, located on the slopes of Mount Aragats, approximately 20 kilometres from Etchmiadzin, a unique educational model has operated for years – one rarely found in other educational institutions across Armenia. Alongside general education subjects, students are also actively involved in real agricultural work.

In the village of Tsaghkunk, near Sevan, a normal after-school day for children continues at the village art centre. Here, they learn pottery and carpet weaving, turning their ideas and imagination into handmade creations. In a community of 700 to 800 residents, children and youth have the opportunity not only to acquire new skills but also to discover traditional Armenian crafts, spend their free time in a creative environment, and, in some cases, even generate income through their own handmade work.

“My sister was expecting a baby while living abroad. One day, during a conversation, she told me she was worried that her future child might not learn Armenian because there is very little Armenian-language children's content available online, especially on YouTube. That made me think about what we could do to ensure that Armenian children, no matter where they live, have access to engaging, high-quality content in Armenian,” says SKYE NET grant beneficiary Zarine Kirakosyan.

The aroma of fresh pishki and coffee now fills the air from a small kiosk near the city park of Ijevan, Armenia. This is “ HamBuyr ”, a café founded by Tigran Sargsyan and his wife Anna Eghoyan, which has quickly become a favourite spot for local youth and visitors.

Nicolai Stoian and Marina Kinu are two inspiring examples from the Roma community who participated in hairdressing courses organised by the National Employment Agency (NEA) with the support of the EU4Youth programme. Their story illustrates how professional training can transform not only individual lives but also entire communities.

At 31, Virginia Duminică is a mother of three and a woman who has learned to start over. After a difficult divorce and years of living solely on social assistance, she is now building her own career in the beauty industry. Her dream is to one day open her own salon where Roma women can access services, learn a trade, and gain the confidence to become independent.

Ecaterina Topor is a young Roma woman whose journey demonstrates the transformative power of education and determination.

Across the Eastern Partnership (EaP), Public Employment Services are under pressure to adapt to a changing labour market, growing youth inactivity and, for some countries, the broader demands of EU integration. Through the EU4Youth programme, the European Union has supported this transition by helping employment institutions become more modern, connected and responsive to young people's needs.

The arrival of a baby is often seen as one of life’s most joyful moments. Yet behind the expectation of happy motherhood, some women experience anxiety, depression, fear or emotional distress – feelings that can remain hidden behind the pressure to be “a good mother”. In Armenia, a woman’s mental health during the perinatal period is still too often overshadowed by the focus on physical health. This gap was spotted by the Kanani Social-Prsychological Centre NGO, which used EU support to make mental wellbeing part of maternity care across Armenia. During the final months of her second pregnancy Lilit (28) was full of fears. Her