The NGO Center Civil Society Development NGO concluded September with a successful National Awareness Day organized as part of the Erasmus+ capacity building project: “Developing Soft Skills in Higher Education to Increase Employability in the 21st Century Labor Market in Armenia and Georgia.” (DeSIRe).

During the event participants were introduced to the project’s framework, including its goals, strategies, and anticipated impacts via presentation followed by a question and answer session.

The event was organized in a hybrid format, more than 35 people participated, including representatives of CSOs from different regions of Armenia: Tavush, Lori, Shirak, Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor, Aragatsotn and Yerevan, as well as representatives of the Vanadzor municipality, an associate partner of the project, and representatives from the private sector. This hybrid-format event brought together key stakeholders to present the objectives, planned activities, and expected outcomes of the DeSIRe project.

The primary goal of the event was to raise awareness about the DeSIRe project, which focuses on equipping students with career-essential soft skills. These skills align with modern labor market demands, improving students’ competitiveness and fostering entrepreneurial abilities. Discussions emphasized the necessity of integrating such competencies into educational curricula to support students’ professional and personal success.

We can state that the event achieved its primary objectives by successfully engaging participants in meaningful dialogue and emphasizing the importance of soft skills in the 21st-century job market. Key outcomes include:

• Heightened awareness about the DeSIRe project’s goals among stakeholders.
• Recognition of the critical need to incorporate soft skills into higher education curricula.

Information about the event was shared across the NGO Center’s official platforms and the DeSIRe project’s communication channels, ensuring broad visibility and engagement with the initiative’s aims.