The “Youth Center for Democratic Initiatives” (YCDI) is a non-profit, non-governmental, independent organization, which was registered by the Central Body of State Register of the Ministry of Justice of RA in accordance with the “Law about the non-governmental organizations”. The YCDI head office is located in Vanadzor, Lori Region.

The “Youth Center for Democratic Initiatives” NGO is a voluntary union of young people who accept the values adopted by YCDI and are ready contributing their recourses and forces to spread those values and accomplish the mission of the organization voluntarily.

Mission
Assist in the processes supporting the establishment of civil society and democratic state, for the sake of human development in Armenia, by the means of activation of youth.

Vision
Citizens demonstrating practical care towards the past, present and the future of the country

Main values
While fulfilling its mission, YCDI NGO adheres to the following moral values:

• Sticking to principles
  Is observed in commitment and adherence to the adopted ideology
  
  
• Justice
  Is observed in commitment to the guiding principle of causing no harm and to the honest-minded approach in achieving the set goals
  
  
• Consistency
  Suggests a sequence of logical and interrelated actions in all initiatives of the NGO
  
  
• Democracy
  Democracy is seen both as one of the principles and guiding values of the NGO activity. In the capacity of a value, democracy in Armenia and growth of establishments assisting to its development are given much importance by the NGO. Where democracy is seen as a principle, the NGO signifies diversity of opinions and respects freedom of speech.
  
  
• Participation
  Active participation of stake-holders in decision making and process of implementation is ensured.
  
  
• Transparency Suggests openness of the NGO to the public. Transparency is the guiding principle for YCDI NGO in implementing projects or any type of activity.
  
  

The main goals of YCDI NGO are as follows:

• Sustaining democratic institutions through the support to civic initiatives.
• Ensuring the participation of youth and wide layers of society in the process of decision-making of community and country-wide significance.
• Design and application of mechanisms of civic supervision towards the implementation of the public policy.
• Mental, spiritual and physical development of the young people.

YCDI objectives

• Assistance in democratic and civil initiatives in all spheres,
• Formation of a new generation of young right-protectors and civil activists,
• Development of new methods of civil monitoring,
• Development of effective public mechanisms for the protection of human rights and basic freedoms,
• Raising of the authority and efficiency of activities of the public sector,
• Raising of the civil activism of population by the dissemination of knowledge on the civil society and democracy,
• Development of human rights and intercultural learning,
• Assistance in the initiatives directed to mental, spiritual and physical development of the youth,
• Raising the civil activism of the youth basing on the principles of civil society and democracy, acting on national and international levels,
• Ensuring youth participation in development of youth unions in communities and in the process of decision-making on the community level,
• Raising the authority of volunteerism and development of voluntary activities,
• Development of peace-making initiatives of youth in the national and regional levels.

Principal Means of YCDI Activities

• Creation and development of right-protective networks,
• Educational and training courses,
• Informational support,
• Public Discussions,
• Researches and surveys,
• Civil Monitoring,
• Advocacy.
• Practical protection of rights and freedoms,
• Collaboration with national and international organizations,
• Development and implementation of international projects,
• Raising the public sense of justice.