Expanding Child-Friendly Spaces for Children in Tavush and Syunik

The child-friendly space in Aygehovit will be refurbished with the support of the Government of Japan, while the space in Achajur will be established through UNICEF humanitarian funding. The initiative will provide children with safe and inclusive environments where they can learn, play, develop life skills, and access psychosocial support services.

In Syunik, an existing child-friendly space in Meghri will be expanded through UNICEF humanitarian funding to strengthen child protection, mental health and psychosocial support, and educational services for more than 80 children from Meghri and neighbouring communities. The centre will provide integrated support through a social worker, psychologist, art therapist, speech therapist, and special educator, ensuring children and their families have access to specialized services within their community.

“Children and their families have the right to be provided with essential services in their very own communities in order to thrive. Over the last decade, UNICEF has supported Armenia to expand these services across the country to reach more communities and build their capacities to sustain them,” noted Dr Ghassan Khalil, UNICEF Representative in Armenia. “Through these expanded partnerships, we reaffirm our commitment to ensure that every child, particularly those affected by displacement and vulnerability, has access to safe spaces, quality support services and opportunities to build fulfilling lives in their own communities.”

“We are glad to continue our partnership with UNICEF and to create new safe and welcoming spaces for children in their own communities. Our experience and conversations with parents show us that these centres can make a real difference in children's and families' lives. Children have opportunities to connect with one another, overcome speech and communication difficulties, build confidence, and, most importantly, simply enjoy their childhood,” said Mr Kristopher Schmitz, Country Director of People in Need Armenia. “We also work closely with municipalities and local civil society organisations, so that these services do not disappear when a project ends but stays rooted in the community.”

“I would like to express my deep gratitude to our partners for this important initiative and for their consistent efforts aimed at child development. We are confident that these centers will not only create new opportunities for children's development but also provide vital support to families and contribute to fostering a more favorable and inclusive environment for children in the community,” noted Mr. Artur Chagharyan, Head of Ijevan Community.

“Today marks an important and symbolic occasion for all of us. It is a day when the vision of partnership and collective action takes its first solid step forward. We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who believed in this initiative, supported its realization, and stands alongside us today. May this partnership become the beginning of a new chapter of collaboration in support of our children and in service of a community where every child can find their place and fully participate in society,” shared Mrs. Paytsar Tumanyan, President of Together Without Borders NGO.

Over the past five years, UNICEF and PIN Armenia, with the generous support of the Government of Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and through UNICEF humanitarian funding, have established, expanded, refurbished and operationalized eight child-friendly spaces across Syunik and Vayots Dzor. The centres support children affected by conflict and displacement, as well as children from host communities and their caregivers, by providing safe spaces for learning, recreation, psychosocial support and social inclusion.

The child-friendly spaces are established, expanded, refurbished and operationalized in close partnership with local and regional authorities, who play a key role in managing and sustaining the centres. Municipal and regional partners are expected to continue supporting the spaces beyond the duration of the current programme to ensure their long-term impact and sustainability.