On September 19, NGO Center had the pleasure of hosting participants of a study visit organized by the European Center for Kurdish Studies in Berlin, in collaboration with Yerevan State University. The visit was designed to explore Armenia’s experience in political decentralization, inclusive governance, and models of social coexistence, offering a platform for knowledge exchange and dialogue between local and international actors.

During the visit, Arpine Hakobyan, President of NGO Center, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the DeSIRe project: Development of Soft Skills at Higher Education Institutions of Armenia and Georgia in Compliance with the 21st Century Labour Market Requirements. She elaborated on the project’s objectives, key achievements, and its strategic importance in equipping youth with essential soft skills that align with modern labor market demands.

In addition to the presentation, Ms. Hakobyan also disseminated and showcased the project’s core methodologies, tools, and results, emphasizing the role of higher education institutions in fostering youth empowerment and cross-border collaboration. The session sparked meaningful discussions on the relevance of soft skills in today’s socio-economic context and the potential for regional cooperation in education reform.

The ERASMUS+ HG2 CBHE project “Development of Soft Skills at Higher Education Institutions of Armenia and Georgia in Compliance with the 21st Century Labour Market Requirements [DeSIRe]” is led by Vanadzor State University after H. Tumanyan. It’s implemented in collaboration with partner higher education institutions from Armenia, Georgia, and EU member states, along with “NGO Center” Civil Society Development NGO.
The program also has 3 associated partner organizations.
The CBHE DeSIRe project is co-funded by the European Union.