Young Women Driving Peace in the South Caucasus

In a region long defined by conflict, a quiet revolution is taking place. Young women from the South Caucasus are emerging as leaders, reshaping what peacebuilding can look like through dialogue, shared experiences, and community connections rather than high-level negotiations. At the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Youth Forum in Riyadh, these women showcased how grassroots initiatives can foster understanding across borders.

Ana Kuprava from Georgia, Maria Yasyan from Armenia, and Shahana Afandiyeva from Azerbaijan, alumni of UNAOC’s Young Peacebuilders programme, launched a four-month initiative called From Borders to Bridges. The project connected 50 youth from Georgian, Armenian, and Azerbaijani backgrounds, many of whom had never interacted with someone from a neighboring community. Through online modules, creative exercises, and conversations held in Tbilisi courtyards, participants discovered that coexistence had always been part of their region’s history; it was simply forgotten.

For Ana, the project began in her hometown of Tbilisi, where cultural diversity often exists more in theory than practice. The initiative offered a platform for young people from urban and remote minority areas to meet, exchange ideas, and collaborate. Small gestures, such as opening up during virtual sessions, sharing stories, or participating in creative exercises, gradually built trust and strengthened relationships across communities.

Shahana emphasized that peace starts with small steps. Through her participation in sessions on preventing extremism and radicalization, she observed that young people do not need abundant resources to make a meaningful impact—they need intent and commitment. Even brief, structured conversations enabled participants to drop their guard, share emotions, and develop confidence. For Shahana, these moments illustrated that embracing diversity is not a threat but an opportunity for growth and mutual understanding.

Maria focused on the often-overlooked role of women in peacebuilding. She witnessed participants actively engage, ask questions, and challenge themselves despite language barriers and political tensions. By taking initiative, the youth became catalysts for change in their own communities. Maria also runs programs in Armenia to help rural youth develop skills and confidence. Many participants who were initially unsure of their abilities are now planning their own projects and stepping into leadership roles.

The influence of these initiatives extends far beyond structured programs. Participants maintain cross-border communication, exchange ideas, and explore collaborative projects even after formal sessions end. They are learning to lead not through authority but through empathy, listening, and shared responsibility. The UNAOC Young Peacebuilders programme provided mentorship, tools, and guidance, but the deeper lesson was that meaningful change often begins with small, intentional acts—a conversation, a shared story, or a moment of recognition.

These young women demonstrate that peace cannot rely solely on geopolitics or formal negotiations. It is built in communities, nurtured through everyday interactions, and strengthened when youth are empowered to take action. By creating spaces where dialogue, trust, and understanding flourish, they are challenging historical divisions and forging a path toward a more inclusive, human-centered peace.

Their work highlights the potential of youth-led initiatives to create tangible change. Through creativity, persistence, and collaboration, they are proving that even small projects can have a profound impact on societies often overshadowed by conflict. Ana, Shahana, and Maria’s experiences serve as a reminder that the next generation of peacebuilders is already at work, turning borders into bridges and showing that sustainable peace begins with human connection.

This story underscores the importance of supporting and amplifying women’s leadership in peacebuilding. When given the opportunity, young women can transform not only their communities but the broader region, fostering resilience, understanding, and hope for the future. Their dedication illustrates that lasting change does not require grand gestures, only the courage to take the first step and the commitment to continue despite challenges.