In October 2024, youth workers and community leaders from different countries gathered in Hurghada, Egypt, for the Erasmus+ training course Empowering Youth Work in Entrepreneurship and Environmental Sustainability. The program aimed to help youth workers strengthen their ability to support young people in developing innovative and eco-friendly entrepreneurial initiatives. Among the participants was a youth worker representing Copernicus Yerevan, an Armenian NGO devoted to education, sustainable development, and civic engagement. The experience became a turning point for the participant, offering both inspiration and practical knowledge to bring meaningful change back home.
The training course was organized under the Erasmus+ framework, which promotes learning mobility and cooperation across Europe. The event in Hurghada was not only about developing business skills—it was about understanding how entrepreneurship can serve as a tool for social and environmental transformation. Participants explored new ways of connecting economic innovation with sustainability, learning how youth can be empowered to design businesses that respect both people and nature. Through interactive workshops and collaboration with international peers, the training encouraged participants to see entrepreneurship as a force for good, capable of driving progress while protecting the environment.
The Local Context in Armenia
In Armenia, the importance of entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability has been growing, especially among young people. However, before 2024, the challenges in these areas remained significant. Youth unemployment rates were still high, particularly in rural regions, and many young Armenians lacked access to proper training or resources to develop their business ideas. At the same time, environmental problems such as waste management, deforestation, and air pollution continued to affect both cities and smaller communities.
While many organizations and schools in Armenia have started introducing environmental education, the link between ecology and entrepreneurship was not yet fully developed. Most young people viewed entrepreneurship only in terms of profit, without understanding how sustainable practices could make their projects stronger and more socially responsible. Copernicus Yerevan saw this as a gap that needed to be filled. The organization wanted to encourage young Armenians to think differently—to see that a successful future depends not only on creativity and ambition but also on respect for nature and responsibility toward society.
When the opportunity came to join the Erasmus+ training in Hurghada, the youth worker from Copernicus Yerevan knew it would be a valuable experience. The goal was to learn innovative methods for combining business thinking with sustainability and to find inspiration from other countries that have already made progress in this field.
The Training Experience in Hurghada
The week-long training in Hurghada brought together participants from across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The city’s vibrant energy, surrounded by the beauty of the Red Sea, provided the perfect environment for learning and collaboration. The program focused on interactive learning rather than traditional lectures. Trainers introduced participants to real-life examples of sustainable entrepreneurship, creative recycling, and eco-innovation.
One of the most inspiring parts of the course was visiting local initiatives where young Egyptians were turning environmental challenges into opportunities. For instance, a local startup collected plastic waste and transformed it into eco-friendly household items, while another project trained youth to use solar energy in small community businesses. These experiences showed how creativity and environmental awareness can go hand in hand, helping communities grow while protecting their natural surroundings.
The participant from Copernicus Yerevan found the international exchange especially eye-opening. Through group work and discussions, participants discovered how different countries approach sustainability and entrepreneurship. Sharing ideas with peers from countries like Germany, Greece, and Tunisia revealed that many challenges—such as unemployment or environmental pollution—are shared across borders. However, each country’s unique solutions inspired new ways to adapt those ideas to the Armenian context.
The workshops also focused on practical skills. Participants learned how to design and present business plans, how to integrate sustainable practices into daily operations, and how to communicate environmental values effectively. Beyond the learning, the program created strong friendships and a shared sense of responsibility among participants to make their communities greener, fairer, and more resilient.
Post-Project Action in Armenia
After returning to Armenia, the participant from Copernicus Yerevan felt motivated to put the new knowledge into action. Inspired by the methods and success stories from Hurghada, the NGO launched a new local initiative called Green Vision Armenia. The project aimed to train young people in combining entrepreneurship with environmental awareness.
The first phase of Green Vision Armenia took place in Yerevan and nearby regions, where youth workers and university students participated in workshops on sustainable business planning. The sessions focused on real-world issues in Armenian communities, such as waste management and renewable energy, encouraging participants to find innovative solutions. The activities followed the same non-formal education approach used during the Erasmus+ training—interactive games, teamwork, and creative exercises that helped participants learn through experience.
The initiative also introduced a mentoring component. Experienced entrepreneurs and environmental specialists were invited to guide young participants in developing their own eco-friendly business ideas. The goal was to help them move beyond theory and start building practical projects that could bring real change to their communities.
The Impact on Youth and Community
Within a few months, Green Vision Armenia began to show clear results. Many young people who joined the workshops gained confidence and developed new perspectives on entrepreneurship. Some participants started small-scale projects, such as community composting initiatives, local organic markets, and campaigns to promote sustainable consumption. Others shared their experience in schools, encouraging more young people to get involved.
The project also helped build stronger cooperation between youth organizations, environmental NGOs, and local businesses. For Copernicus Yerevan, this collaboration was a breakthrough—it showed that when different sectors work together, it is possible to create innovative solutions that benefit both society and the environment.
The initiative had a strong educational impact as well. Schools and universities began showing interest in including sustainable entrepreneurship in their extracurricular programs. This growing awareness marked the beginning of a broader cultural shift—one where success is no longer measured only by financial gain but by social and environmental impact as well.
Reflection and Future Vision
Looking back, the Empowering Youth Work in Entrepreneurship and Environmental Sustainability training in Hurghada was more than just a professional experience—it was a transformative journey. For the youth worker from Copernicus Yerevan, it became a reminder that change begins with education and collaboration. The training demonstrated that when young people are equipped with the right knowledge, they can turn challenges into opportunities and create meaningful, lasting change in their communities.
Today, Copernicus Yerevan continues to expand its Green Vision Armenia program, aiming to reach more regions and involve rural youth who often lack access to such opportunities. The organization’s vision is to build a generation of young Armenians who see sustainability not as a limitation but as a source of innovation and hope.
The story of Hurghada and its lessons now live on in Armenia—in every workshop, project, and young person inspired to take action. It is a story about connection, empowerment, and the belief that youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow but the change-makers of today.