The “Knights of Vardanants” sports and cultural center, located at the intersection of Verin Karmiraghbyur and Norashen villages, continues to welcome children and adults of the region – but now in renewed conditions. The center has undergone large-scale re-equipment and renovation. All this became possible through the support of the “Tsili Tsov” Local Action Group established within the EU-funded and UNDP-implemented “LEADER” program.
“The “Knights of Vardanants” educational complex was built in 2015-2016 with the funds of Armenian-American philanthropist Tigran Sahakyan and operated until 2020. Later, with the younger members of our family, we decided to restart and reopen the center, probably mainly because, after the war, we wanted to focus on youth and keep them in the region. We started working with small means, but soon realized that substantial resources were needed. We learned about the Tsili Tsov local action group and decided to present our business plan not only from a business perspective but also with the goal of uniting youth and creating active youth groups in the region. Thanks to the grant, we were able to expand our property, acquire new tables, umbrellas, a new pump, and water filters, which are very important for ensuring the safety of children in the pool and maintaining the clarity, cleanliness, and purity of the water, as well as many other materials needed for the swimming pool’s operation,” noted program beneficiary Nelli Alikhanyan.
The renovated swimming pool has become a new address for a healthy and active life for the community’s residents, as the swimming classes give children and youth the opportunity to engage in sports and develop their physical abilities.
“The “Tsili Tsov” Local Action Group, created based on the “LEADER” methodology, is an important platform where the public, private, and civil society sectors of Berd community come together. It promotes a new bottom-up approach, making the voice of local actors heard. The swimming pool initiative itself is innovative, as previously, children in Norashen and Verin Karmiraghbyur did not have access to swimming lessons. It is an institution, and as a result of our cooperation, the area established by the ‘Knights of Vardanants’ organization will now also serve as a venue for the “Berd AgroFest” festival, which we hope will become an ongoing initiative,” concluded Nara Papyan, Chair of the “Tsili Tsov” Local Action Group NGO Board.
Today, the center has become a new hub of recreation and activity for the villages of the region. The trainings organized here bring together children and youth, form new friendships, and create an environment of community interaction – bringing liveliness, movement, and joy to the communities.
