Center for Educational Research and Consulting has successfully completed the research project “Armenian Youth in Postwar Armenia: Research and Discourse,” supported by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

The project aimed to examine the effects of the 2020 war on young people in Armenia, exploring their experiences, well-being, educational and employment pathways, sense of security, civic participation, migration intentions and perceptions of the future. Beyond documenting the challenges facing young people, the research sought to understand their capacities, aspirations and ways of navigating uncertainty in a post-war society.

Comprehensive research across Armenia

The study combined quantitative and qualitative methods to capture the diversity of young people's experiences across Armenia.

More than 1,000 young people aged 13–35 from all ten marzes and Yerevan participated in an online survey. The quantitative research was complemented by 10 focus group discussions and 15 in-depth interviews involving 85 young people.

Particular attention was given to young people whose experiences and needs may be overlooked in broader surveys, including unemployed youth, young people not in education or employment, vocational students, young people from rural and border communities, war participants and young people displaced from Artsakh.

The project also involved the selection and training of nine young researchers, strengthening their practical skills in youth research methodology, data collection, research ethics and qualitative and quantitative research methods.

In addition, approximately ten consultation meetings brought together representatives of academia, civil society, international organisations, state institutions, educational institutions and local communities. These discussions helped connect empirical research with expert knowledge and policy priorities.

From research findings to knowledge and policy dialogue

The findings were systematically analysed and presented in the monograph Armenian Youth at the Crossroads of Uncertainty and Hope, authored by Marina Galstyan, founder of CERC.

Recommended for publication by the Academic Council of Yerevan State University, the monograph was published by YSU Publishing House. The Armenian and English editions bring together the research methodology, empirical findings, analytical interpretations and policy recommendations, providing a resource for researchers, students, policymakers and organisations working with young people.

The research findings were shared with representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, including officials responsible for youth policy development. These discussions focused on the practical relevance of the findings for shaping youth policy and developing responses to the needs and challenges identified by the study.

The project also contributed to national and international academic discussions through conference presentations and public events. Research findings and the monograph were presented at six major events, including the European Sociological Association (ESA) conference in Warsaw, the Slovenian Social Science Conference, the international conference on Hope and Trust in Times of Crisis at the American University of Armenia, and a public discussion at Yerevan State University. The findings were also shared with young people through activities organised in cooperation with the Restart Civic-Youth Foundation and other partners.

Making research accessible to wider audiences

Public dissemination was an important component of the project. CER&C produced and published 30 media materials on its website and social media platforms, alongside more than 60 infographics presenting research concepts, methodological approaches and emerging findings in accessible visual formats.

The research was also discussed through podcast appearances, extending its reach beyond academic and professional audiences.

These activities sought to make knowledge about young people more accessible and to encourage informed public discussion about their experiences, challenges, aspirations and role in Armenia's future.

A lasting contribution to youth research and policy

The project's outcomes extend beyond the completion of the grant. The publications, research dataset, trained young researchers and policy recommendations provide a foundation for further research, comparative analysis and follow-up studies examining changes in young people's experiences, values, aspirations, independence and civic participation over time.

The findings and monograph have also been integrated into Marina Galstyan's university teaching, connecting current empirical research with the education of future professionals and researchers.

CERC will continue to disseminate the findings through academic publications, conferences, public discussions, teaching, media and professional networks in Armenia and internationally. The Centre will also continue to promote dialogue between researchers, policymakers, civil society organisations and young people, supporting the use of evidence in youth policy and programme development.

The project reflects CERC's commitment to connecting research, public dialogue and policy development and to strengthening the role of reliable empirical knowledge in understanding the challenges and opportunities facing Armenian society.

Acknowledgement

CERC expresses its sincere gratitude to the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation for supporting the project and making this research possible.

This project is made possible through the support of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. The views, perspectives, and approaches expressed in this work are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Foundation.

Կարդալ մենագրությունը հայերեն

Read the monograph in English