H.E. Prime Minister Masrour Barzani officially inaugurated the Youth Hub in Erbil in the presence of H.E. Areen Barzani, Founder of the Kurdistan Foundation, on June 10, 2026 marking a major milestone in advancing youth development and expanding opportunities for young people across the Kurdistan Region.
Established and managed by the Kurdistan Foundation, the Youth Hub is the largest and most advanced youth center in the Kurdistan Region and among the largest of its kind globally. The facility has been designed as a comprehensive platform for innovation, learning, culture, and community engagement, providing young people with access to a wide range of educational, cultural, technological, and professional development opportunities within a single integrated environment.
The initiative aims to empower youth by strengthening leadership and innovation skills, supporting talent development, and creating pathways for young people to actively contribute to the social, economic, and cultural advancement of the Kurdistan Region.
During the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Barzani toured the Hub’s cultural, media, artistic, and technology facilities and met with young civil activists who showcased their projects and achievements. Addressing attendees, he described the Youth Hub as a source of pride for the people of Kurdistan and a dynamic space where young people can learn, grow, and realize their full potential.
The Prime Minister congratulated the youth of Kurdistan and expressed his appreciation to all those who contributed to establishing the center and supporting youth development initiatives. He emphasized the importance of creating spaces that enable young people to gather, exchange ideas, and benefit from educational resources, including the Hub’s library and learning facilities.
Prime Minister Barzani also encouraged young people to study their history and understand the sacrifices that have shaped the Kurdistan Region’s development. He stressed that preserving cultural identity should go hand in hand with embracing innovation, technology, and modern knowledge.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the Youth Hub, the Prime Minister noted that the center responds to the growing need for opportunities that allow young people to develop their talents and ambitions within their homeland. He further emphasized the Hub’s role in strengthening social cohesion by bringing together youth from different cities, towns, and communities, creating opportunities for dialogue, collaboration, and mutual learning.
“Young people should never feel marginalized or believe that their voices go unheard,” Prime Minister Barzani stated, reaffirming that the contributions of youth are recognized and valued and that they play a vital role in shaping the future of the Kurdistan Region.
Concluding his remarks, he encouraged young people to pursue their ambitions with confidence, think boldly, and set ambitious goals for themselves and their communities. He emphasized that no dream is beyond reach and no objective is unattainable for those willing to dedicate themselves to achieving it.
The inauguration of the Youth Hub reflects the Kurdistan Foundation’s continued commitment to empowering young people and investing in future generations. Through this landmark initiative, the Kurdistan Foundation seeks to provide an inclusive platform where youth can develop skills, build networks, transform ideas into action, and contribute to the development of a more innovative, dynamic, and knowledge-based society.
As the Youth Hub opens its doors to young people from across the Kurdistan Region, it is expected to serve as a catalyst for creativity, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and leadership development, helping to shape the next generation of changemakers and innovators.
