"EVN Urban Lab: The Canvas of Participation"
Youth for Change NGO
Armenia
The EVN Urban Lab turns our NGO into a "living laboratory" where youth use street art, film, and photography to reclaim their city. Amid social and environmental crises, we move from apathy to action. In partnership with the Yerevan Municipality, youth will create murals on neglected walls and produce micro-docs on urban challenges. This isn't just art; it’s "cultural resistance"—giving young people a seat at the table to shape Armenia’s future. We bridge the gap between grassroots energy and city policy, creating a model of participation to share across Europe.
The EVN Urban Lab is a creative response to youth apathy in a time of social and environmental crisis. Our NGO space in Yerevan becomes a "Living Laboratory" where young people move from being spectators of change to becoming its architects. We focus on "Cultural Resistance"—using art, film, and photography to reclaim public spaces and ensure youth voices are visible in Armenia’s democracy.
In partnership with the Yerevan Municipality, we identify neglected urban areas. Youth participants lead three main actions:
Reclaim the Grey: Creating murals on city walls that turn "forgotten" spaces into symbols of civic hope and environmental awareness.
City Stories: Using mobile filmmaking to document urban challenges and propose creative, youth-led solutions.
The Vision Hub: A public exhibition at our centre where these works are presented to city officials, turning art into a direct dialogue about Yerevan’s future.
This project is vital because it bridges the gap between grassroots energy and formal city policy. We provide the tools for young people to stay civically active during crises, ensuring their creative vision helps shape a more participatory, resilient Armenia.