UNICEF and Partners Open a New Co-creation Lab for Young People in Armenia’s Far South

AGARAK, 12 January 2026 - UNICEF, in partnership with the Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF), the Municipality of Meghri, and with support from the UNICEF Office of Innovation, has inaugurated a new co-creation laboratory in the town of Agarak, Syunik region. The center is designed to empower adolescents and young people by providing access to modern tools, mentorship, and collaborative learning opportunities in one of Armenia’s most remote southern communities. It joins the Sisian co-creation lab established in April 2024 by UNICEF, in partnership with EIF.

The newly opened center has already welcomed 70 young people during its pilot phase through awareness-raising activities and introductory training sessions. Moving forward, it is expected to serve over 100 adolescents and young people every year, offering ongoing skill-building programs, digital literacy workshops, and hands-on project development experiences.

The Municipality of Agarak has played a key role in making the center a reality by allocating dedicated space within its administrative building free of charge. The municipality also covers utilities and has committed to long-term support to ensure the center’s sustainability. This investment reflects the municipality’s broader goal of expanding opportunities for local youth, enabling them not only to participate more actively in community life but also to contribute to local and regional planning and development.

Established as a regional innovation and entrepreneurial laboratory, the Agarak cocreation lab provides adolescents, students, young innovators, and startups with an environment where ideas can be explored, tested, and developed into meaningful solutions. Participants will have access to non-formal education, mentorship from industry professionals, and opportunities to collaborate with peers on creative, technological, and entrepreneurial initiatives.

“This lab is all about unlocking the potential of local youth. It is a space where young people can learn new skills, experiment with ideas, and create digital products that contribute to the development of Syunik marz,” noted Christine Weigand, UNICEF Representative in Armenia. “With this second co-creation lab in the region, young people will have opportunities to explore digital arts, animation, and multimedia projects, as well as take part in tech hackathons, seminars, and hands-on workshops. Most importantly, this lab will help adolescents and young people in Syunik build 21st-century skills that strengthen their confidence, creativity, and resilience.”

By connecting education, industry, and entrepreneurship, the lab will help prepare young people for the rapidly evolving demands of the 21st century. Its programs are designed to strengthen digital, engineering, and business skills, while also fostering creativity and innovation. The center aims to open pathways for young people to engage with Armenia’s growing high-tech sector and to participate in promising regional development opportunities.

“Our objective is to accelerate the development of the technology sector in the Syunik region and unlock its innovation potential by investing in local talent and creating opportunities for youth to thrive where they live,” said Bagrat Yengibaryan, Director of the Enterprise Incubator Foundation. “By equipping young people with practical skills, mentorship, and access to modern technologies, these labs enable youth to acquire contemporary knowledge, develop professional competencies, and create innovative solutions while living and working in their own communities. This approach not only supports local socio-economic development but also strengthens Armenia’s broader innovation ecosystem.”

The opening ceremony was followed by two interactive workshops for young people held in parallel, introducing them to career paths in technology with a focus on climate change and to character development in gaming. A third parallel session was designed for parents and teachers and delivered by young participants of UNICEF’s global Gamechangers programme.