Mer Dzevov movement pledges continued support for youth programs in Armenia

Members of the Armenian civic movement Mer Dzevov (Our Way) say they will continue initiatives supporting young people, building on the long-standing philanthropic work of detained businessman Samvel Karapetyan, ahead of the group’s 2025 annual reporting meeting on Tuesday.

The movement has attracted nearly 15,000 volunteers, though the actual number is higher due to growing participation from Armenia’s regions, its member Gohar Ghumashyan said.

“Youth engagement has been particularly strong,” Ghumashyan said, noting that the organization runs multiple programs aimed at supporting talented young people from an early stage of their development.

She said the focus on youth reflects Karapetyan’s long-term priorities. “For more than 30 years, Samvel Karapetyan has placed young people, both students and schoolchildren, at the center of his charitable initiatives,” Ghumashyan said. “We intend to continue that work ‘in our way’.”

According to Ghumashyan, over the past six months the movement has provided support to hundreds of young Armenians, enabling them to represent the country on various international platforms.

She added that during recent regional visits, the movement identified employment and agricultural procurement as the most pressing challenges facing local communities. Addressing these issues will be among the organization’s priorities.

“Our goal is to support every Armenian living in the country so they can realize their potential at home, rather than leaving Armenia,” Ghumashyan said.