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RO14mn to expand Youth Centre network across Oman 

22 Oct 2025 RO14mn to expand Youth Centre network across Oman By OUR CORRESPONDENT

Muscat – The Youth Centre has announced a comprehensive expansion plan worth RO14mn to strengthen its presence across the country and provide young people with greater opportunities for innovation, productivity, and engagement.

The announcement comes as the sultanate marks Omani Youth Day on October 26, reaffirming national efforts to empower the next generation in line with Oman Vision 2040, which places youth at the core of development.

Since its establishment, the Youth Centre has emerged as a key national institution for nurturing young talent, building skills, and fostering creativity and leadership. It has become a vibrant hub for innovation and community engagement, promoting values of responsibility, collaboration, and service.

Between 2022 and September 2025, the Centre reached 458,606 participants through 380 training programmes and partnered with 1,227 small and medium enterprises and freelancers. This year alone, 66 training programmes benefited more than 8,500 participants, while the shared workspace attracted over 104,800 users.

Alya bint Said al Shanfari, Executive Director of the Youth Centre, said the institution had adopted a collaborative national approach, building strategic partnerships across the public and private sectors. “True youth empowerment requires an integrated ecosystem founded on shared responsibility,” she said.

She added that the new expansion plan seeks to create modern, fully equipped spaces in several governorates to foster innovation and youth participation.

Among the key developments is the Youth Cultural Complex in Sur, South Sharqiyah. Spanning nearly 50,000sqm, the project includes a Youth Centre and a public library, with construction costs estimated at RO4mn. Additional investment components – such as a conference and exhibition centre and a four-star hotel – bring the total investment to over RO6mn.

The plan also covers new Youth Centres in Nizwa, Musandam and Salalah. More branches are expected to be announced during the Omani Youth Day celebrations. Each branch will be tailored to the specific needs and aspirations of youth in its region.

The centre is also working to ensure financial sustainability through innovative investment initiatives aimed at strengthening its impact and ensuring continuity of its programmes.

Through its expansion and partnerships, the centre seeks to further consolidate its role as a national platform for creativity, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment – helping young Omanis contribute meaningfully to a knowledge-based economy.

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