Gyumri’s second game conference turns into Armenia’s largest youth and tech event
Wrapping up of two major educational initiatives for young people— “Gamechangers: Next Level” and “CyberNinja Camp”—implemented by UNICEF and the Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF).
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The Gyumri Game Conference: Youth Edition on June 15, 2025, marked the wrap-up of two major educational initiatives for young people—“Gamechangers: Next Level” and “CyberNinja Camp”—implemented by UNICEF and the Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF), with the support of UK for the camp.
Armenia’s second-largest city, Gyumri, is known for strong cultural appeal, and this time, it was all about digital vibes and youth. The conference, building on last year’s success, evolved into one of the country’s largest youth-centered tech events.
Over 200 young participants received graduation certificates from UNICEF and EIF and had the opportunity to showcase their team projects— video games and educational comics on cybersecurity themes.
Here’s what some of the participants and partners had to say:
“With these two initiatives—Gamechangers and CyberNinja—UNICEF’s goal went beyond teaching adolescents and young people technical skills. We focused on life skills as well, such as working in teams, thinking about community well-being, taking a project from concept to execution, communicating effectively, and advocating with their peers and teachers,”
“We created a game around climate change. The player walks around the city, collecting trash scattered in different areas. As you collect more, you build up energy and eventually become a ‘super citizen.’ The four of us spent five months developing this game, and I worked on the city design. I believe if people get used to cleaning up virtually, they might take that habit offline too. I was already planning to go into the field of information technologies, but this project gave me the chance to experience it from the inside—and I’m now more convinced than ever that it’s the right path for me,”
Sixteen-year-old Luisa, from the team that developed the Arctic Fox game, echoed this: “It’s an incredible feeling when something you imagined in your head appears on the screen. I’ve had moments of doubt, but my teammates kept inspiring me to push forward. I learned to code parts of the game I thought I couldn’t. I have realized that I can make anything happen if I work hard enough and have support.”
Lilia, 17, a participant in the CyberNinja programme, shared: “Cybersecurity and digital hygiene are essential for everyone—regardless of age or profession. Our training was intense. I joined a seven-week course and a hackathon, and even led workshops for youth from other regions. We also educated our parents and friends. I warned my mom about phishing, and the very next day she received a suspicious message. She recognized the signs immediately, showed it to me, and we deleted it together—it was clearly a scam. I especially loved creating fun reels to raise awareness about online threats.”
“I spend about 4–5 hours online daily; some of my friends even up to 10 hours. It wasn’t until this programme that I truly understood how many dangers are out there—fake news, scams, misinformation. Sure, we learn informatics at school, but I think it needs to go deeper or be taught through more interactive methods. That way, all young people—whether they take part in extra trainings or not—will know how to protect themselves online,”
Lusine Hayrapetyan, Ruben’s and Arthur’s mum, reflected: “Both my sons joined the projects—one as a participant, the other as a mentor. At first, I was worried seeing them spend so much time in front of the screen. But once I saw what they were creating and how passionate they were, I started to see it differently. They’ve gained real skills: teamwork, perseverance, critical thinking. As a parent, I’m proud.”
“One of Shirak’s greatest assets is its talented youth. We must work with them, support them, and create opportunities for their growth. Initiatives like these help position our region as an innovation hub.”
“Over the years, we’ve learned that a country’s future and economy are closely tied to the education and engagement of youth in the regions. Projects like these attract private sector interest and job creation locally. We also strive to keep youth engaged beyond a single event—many alumni return as mentors, helping build a strong, evolving core of motivated young people,”
Christine Weigand, UNICEF Representative in Armenia, closed the event with a heartfelt message: “You have the power to drive change—whether in your own life, your community, or across the country. To do that, there are three things I urge you to hold on to. First, stay curious—keep asking questions and seeking to understand. Second, stay open to different perspectives—even those that challenge your own. And third, build and nurture connections. Come together around a shared purpose, work together, and make change happen. I’ve met many inspiring young people and adults, and I have no doubt that you—and your peers—have the strength and the will to shape Armenia’s future. Keep dreaming big and working hard toward those dreams.”
