Bridging Histories: Youth Dialogue Through Cross-Border Heritage (Turkey and Armenia)

The Eurasia Partnership Foundation is inviting young people aged 18–30 from Türkiye and Armenia to participate in a one-year intercultural program focused on the shared cultural heritage of Kars and Gyumri. Participants will receive expert training, conduct field research, collaborate in mixed-country teams, and develop digital heritage content, with travel, accommodation, and project-related organizational costs covered.

About the Program

The initiative aims to strengthen intercultural dialogue, youth cooperation, cultural heritage research, and regional understanding between Türkiye and Armenia.

Participants will explore the cultural heritage and local histories of Kars, Türkiye, and Gyumri, Armenia, while working together to document and interpret shared heritage.

The program combines:

• Expert-led training
• Cultural heritage research
• Field visits to Kars and Gyumri
• Cross-border teamwork
• Documentation and content development
• Digital heritage interpretation
• Intercultural dialogue and communication

What Participants Will Do

Selected participants will take part in activities throughout the one-year program.

Key activities include:

• Attend training sessions led by cultural heritage experts.
• Conduct research and documentation in Kars and Gyumri.
• Visit heritage sites and conduct field-based research.
• Work in mixed teams consisting of participants from Türkiye and Armenia.
• Develop research-based cultural heritage content.
• Review and improve the content with guidance from experts.
• Contribute to materials that may support future digital heritage interpretation tools.

The program is designed to provide practical experience rather than only classroom-based learning.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be 18–30 years old.
• Currently reside in Türkiye or Armenia.
• Have sufficient English-language skills to participate in all program activities.
• Demonstrate an interest in at least one relevant area, such as:
  • Cultural heritage
  • Local history
  • Research
  • Documentation
  • Intercultural dialogue
  • Community engagement

Previous professional or academic experience in cultural heritage is not mandatory.

Relevant experience may nevertheless strengthen an application.

The program also encourages applications from people with diverse personal, academic, and professional backgrounds.

Financial Support

Project-related costs are covered within the program budget.

Support includes:

• Travel costs connected with project activities
• Accommodation
• Organizational costs related to program activities
• Participation in training and field activities
• Certificate of Participation for participants who successfully complete the program

The opportunity therefore allows selected young people to participate in international cultural heritage activities without having to bear the main project-related travel and accommodation expenses themselves.

Program Duration and Activities

The initiative runs for approximately one year.

The program follows a structured progression:

1. Selection of participants
2. Expert-led training
3. Research preparation and team formation
4. Field research in Kars and Gyumri
5. Collaborative documentation and analysis
6. Development of digital heritage content
7. Content review and revision
8. Completion of the program and certification

Why This Opportunity Matters

Cultural heritage can provide a platform for dialogue between communities with different historical and cultural perspectives.

This program gives young people from Türkiye and Armenia an opportunity to:

• Develop research and documentation skills.
• Gain practical cultural heritage experience.
• Work collaboratively across national boundaries.
• Improve intercultural communication.
• Build international networks.
• Learn from cultural heritage specialists.
• Contribute to new approaches to digital heritage interpretation.

The emphasis on shared heritage and collaborative research makes the opportunity particularly relevant for young people interested in regional cooperation and cultural diplomacy.

How the Program Works

Participants are expected to be actively involved throughout the program rather than attending only individual events.

Training

Participants receive guidance from experts in cultural heritage, research, and related fields.

Field Research

Participants undertake research activities connected with Kars and Gyumri. These activities provide practical experience in examining, documenting, and interpreting cultural heritage.

Collaborative Research

Participants from Türkiye and Armenia work together in mixed teams. This encourages the exchange of perspectives and strengthens cross-cultural teamwork.

Digital Content Development

Research findings are transformed into heritage-related content that may contribute to future digital interpretation tools. Participants therefore gain experience connecting traditional heritage research with digital approaches.

What Applicants Should Demonstrate

A strong applicant should be able to clearly explain:

• Why they are interested in cultural heritage or local history.
• Why intercultural dialogue between Türkiye and Armenia interests them.
• What they hope to learn from the program.
• How they would contribute to collaborative research.
• Their ability to communicate and work effectively in English.
• Their availability and commitment to participate throughout the program.

Because previous experience is not required, applicants should focus on their motivation, curiosity, commitment, and relevant interests, rather than relying only on formal qualifications.

Application Tips

Applicants can strengthen their applications by:

• Clearly explaining their motivation.
• Connecting their interests to cultural heritage or intercultural dialogue.
• Providing specific examples of relevant activities, studies, volunteering, or community involvement.
• Demonstrating willingness to work with participants from another country.
• Showing that they can commit to the full program.
• Keeping responses focused and specific.

Avoid presenting only general statements such as “I am interested in culture.” Explain what aspect of culture interests you and why.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the Eurasia Partnership Foundation program?

Young people aged 18–30 who currently reside in Türkiye or Armenia can apply, provided they meet the other program requirements.

Do I need previous cultural heritage experience?

No. Previous experience in cultural heritage, research, or related fields is not required, although relevant experience may be an advantage.

Do I need to speak English?

Yes. Applicants need sufficient English proficiency to participate effectively in the program’s training, research, teamwork, and other activities.

What locations will participants research?

The program focuses on the cultural heritage of Kars in Türkiye and Gyumri in Armenia.

Are travel and accommodation covered?

Yes. Travel, accommodation, and organizational costs associated with project activities are covered within the project budget.

Will participants receive a certificate?

Yes. Participants who successfully complete the program will receive a Certificate of Participation.

What skills can participants gain?

Participants can develop skills in cultural heritage research, field documentation, collaborative research, intercultural communication, teamwork, content development, and digital heritage interpretation.

Conclusion

The Eurasia Partnership Foundation’s youth cultural heritage program offers young people from Türkiye and Armenia a practical opportunity to explore shared cultural heritage, conduct collaborative research, and build stronger cross-border connections.

With expert training, field research in Kars and Gyumri, international teamwork, and support for travel and accommodation, the program is particularly suitable for motivated young people interested in cultural heritage, local history, research, digital heritage, and intercultural dialogue.