Armenian Progressive Youth (APY) NGO was founded in 2009. It emerged from a simple yet powerful idea: to ensure that the voices of young people in Armenia are heard. At a time when young people had limited opportunities to participate in decision-making and faced significant social and political challenges, Grigor Yeritsyan, together with a group of passionate young people, co-founded APY. The vision was clear—to empower the next generation of leaders to shape Armenia’s future through progressive thinking rooted in integrity, equality, and justice.

The word “Progressive” has always been at the heart of APY’s mission. For us, being progressive means striving for the continuous improvement of society, challenging the status quo, and driving positive change. From the very beginning, APY has been guided by the vision of building a brighter and more inclusive future—one where young people have the tools, opportunities, and support they need to become active citizens and leaders of social change. Our work has consistently focused on empowering young people to engage in every aspect of public life, from policymaking and civic participation to entrepreneurship and community engagement.

Over the past decade, APY has made a lasting positive impact on the lives of countless young people by creating opportunities for their personal and professional growth. Through its youth centers, grants for youth-led initiatives, training programmes, capacity-building workshops, and international exchange opportunities, APY has equipped young people with the knowledge, skills, and experience they need to succeed and become drivers of positive change. APY has consistently been at the forefront of youth empowerment in Armenia—supporting youth-led businesses through small grants, expanding volunteering opportunities, creating inclusive youth spaces, and advocating for meaningful youth participation in policymaking.

APY’s journey has not been without challenges. Over the years, the organization has overcome significant obstacles—from navigating Armenia’s complex political landscape to responding to the humanitarian crisis caused by the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. It was during this difficult period that APY’s resilience and unwavering commitment to Armenia’s young people became especially evident. As the war displaced thousands of families and left many in urgent need of support, APY rapidly mobilized hundreds of volunteers to provide essential assistance, with a particular focus on women and children. Within a short period of time, the organization supported more than 50,000 displaced people by providing food, clothing, shelter, and psychosocial support.

For more than a decade, APY has been committed to building a fairer, more inclusive, and equitable society for young people. Its journey has been defined by growth, resilience, and a strong belief that, with the right opportunities and support, young people can shape a better future for themselves and their communities. What began as a small initiative has grown into one of Armenia’s leading youth organizations, empowering young people to take an active role in strengthening their communities and driving positive change. With the adoption of its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, APY is committed to expanding youth participation in public life, promoting economic empowerment through innovative employment and entrepreneurship programmes, and strengthening the youth ecosystem by supporting youth work and non-formal education. APY will continue to strengthen the resilience of young people, ensuring that those facing difficult life circumstances have access to the support they need to overcome challenges and contribute to building a brighter future for Armenia.