Vagharshapat, Armenia - 3 December 2025 - Today, the official opening of a new gender-sensitive and inclusive multifunctional public space took place in the Dasht settlement of Vagharshapat community. The initiative was implemented within the framework of the UNDP “Resilience from the Start” project, funded by the Government of Serbia and in close cooperation with the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure.

The ceremony was attended by H.E. Tatjana Panajotović Cvetković, Ambassador of Serbia to Armenia; Natia Natsvlishvili, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia;  Aram Grigoryan, Deputy Governor of Armavir region, Ashot Giloyan, Head of the Local Self-Government Policy Department of the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Argishti Mekhakyan, Acting Head of Vagharshapat community, and Lyudvig Yayloyan, Head of Khoy community .

The new multifunctional public space includes an international-standard padel court, a leisure zone, and a children’s playground. 

The project was shaped through co-design and validation exercises with residents - service recipients and local authorities- service providers, and was co-financed by the community, reflecting strong local ownership and long-term commitment to sustainability.

UNDP Resident Representative Natia Natsvlishvili expressed her appreciation to the Government of Serbia for its support and highlighted the role of multifunctional public spaces in strengthening social cohesion by bringing together the host community population and refugees in a safe and inclusive environment.

Earlier the same day, the delegation met with Norayr Hakobyan, Head of Masis community and visited the Nor-Kharberd settlement of the Masis community to observe the construction progress on another multifunctional public space, which is part of the same project, scheduled to open by year-end.

Together, the multifunctional public spaces in Vagharshapat and Masis communities are part of a broader UNDP effort across five communities in Armenia to create inclusive, gender-sensitive, and accessible spaces that support social cohesion and improve quality of life, particularly for women, youth, vulnerable groups and refugees.