From a small team in Yerevan to a European network
IC-YEC was founded in 2018 by a group of young Armenians who had participated in Erasmus+ exchanges and came back with a conviction: that non-formal learning across borders is one of the most powerful tools for personal growth that exists. They wanted to make that experience available to more young people in Armenia — and to put Armenian youth on the European map.
Over the following years we built a network of partner organisations across Europe and the South Caucasus, obtained Erasmus+ accreditation, and ran projects on themes ranging from street art and graphic facilitation to sport inclusion and digital literacy. Each project brought together young people who would never otherwise have met, and sent them home with new friends, new skills, and a wider sense of what is possible.
Today IC-YEC is also the official representative of Masterpeace in Armenia - a global NGO using art and sport to build a culture of peace. It is a partnership that reflects everything we believe in.
Mission, Vision & Values
Mission
To support the personal development of young people through high-quality non-formal education programmes that transcend borders and build European citizenship.
Vision
A Europe where every young person has access to transformative learning experiences regardless of their background, geography, or financial situation.
Values
Inclusivity · Empathy · Collaboration · Curiosity · Respect for diversity and the environment.
Our impact since 2018
How we work
Co-design with partners
We develop every project together with our sending and hosting partners — shared ownership and shared goals from day one.
Open and transparent recruitment
We publish clear participant profiles and selection criteria, and notify every applicant of the outcome.
Deliver high-quality learning
Our facilitators use non-formal education methods — experiential, participatory, and adapted to the group and context.
Support follow-up
After each project we stay in touch, track the impact on participants, and connect alumni to new opportunities.
What we work on
Non-formal Education
Intercultural Dialogue
Youth Empowerment
Digital Literacy
Social Inclusion
Environmental Awareness
Erasmus+ accreditation — what it means for you
IC-YEC holds a multi-annual Erasmus+ accreditation. This means every exchange and training course we run meets the European Union quality standards for non-formal education — and that participation is always fully funded: travel, accommodation, meals, and activities are covered for participants. No financial barrier should stand between a young person and a life-changing experience.
Meet our team
Team profiles coming soon.
Get involved with IC-YEC
Whether you are a young person looking to join a project, an organisation wanting to partner with us, or someone who believes in our work — there is a place for you here.