YMCA Europe

YMCA works to empower young people and to make their voice heard.

07/06/2026

🔻 YMCA Romania is welcoming a delegation of students from the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong for an international learning visit focused on youth work, community engagement, and social inclusion.

The visit includes exchanges with local organizations, young people, and volunteers, starting with activities at Young Initiative, where participants discussed projects, climate action, and youth-led initiatives.

🙌As the group continues to visit YMCA locations across Romania, the program aims to strengthen international cooperation, share experiences, and build connections that support more inclusive and resilient communities.

07/06/2026

🔻YMCA Ukraine has launched a new humanitarian program in the Kharkiv, Poltava, and Zaporizhia regions, in partnership with YMCA Finland and supported by Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Building on several years of collaboration, the initiative expands support for children, young people, and vulnerable groups in frontline and war-affected areas.

The program focuses on psychosocial support, addressing educational loss, skills development, community resilience, and creating safe spaces. It prioritizes women, people with disabilities, and internally displaced persons.

👉Implemented with local YMCA partners in Kremenchuk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhia, activities are already underway through local hubs. Upcoming actions include summer camps, mobile psychosocial support teams, and the distribution of educational and recreational kits for children.

06/06/2026

🔻On 6 June 1844, a small group of young men led by George Williams gathered in London with a bold vision: to support the spiritual, mental, and physical wellbeing of young people in a time of profound social change.

182 years later, that vision continues to live and grow. Across the world, YMCA empowers communities, creates safe and inclusive spaces, amplifies youth voices, and stands firmly for peace, justice, and equity for all.

💡If George Williams were walking among us today, he would recognise the challenges of our time—and he would stand with us. He would champion the same mission, driven by the same belief: that young people deserve opportunity, support, and a community where they can truly thrive.

06/06/2026

It was truly inspiring to celebrate the 182 anniversary of the YMCA the same day we conmemorate the 10th anniversary of YMCA Extremadura in the border of Spain with Portugal.

This is one of the youngest YMCAs in Europe, and a living example of social inclusion, youth empowerment in action and civil engagement.

It is outstanding how our movement keeps its solid roots and continues searching for relevant impact, sustainability and positive social change in new communities across Europe. The leadership of YMCA Europe joined the leaders of YMCAs Spain and Portugal at the celebration.

Our Secretary General Juan Simoes Iglesias said: “More than ever our movement is called to respond effectively to the most vulnerable members of the community facing contemporary challenges. It is our responsibility at all levels”.
And it all starts locally! The Extremadura YMCA in Badajoz is a living example of mission in action! Congratulations and happy birthday!!

06/06/2026

Today we celebrate YMCA Day 🔵 - and we're already looking ahead.

On 15 July, World Youth Skills Day, the YMCA Europe network is coming together for one campaign: Skills in Action.

Young people in YMCA spaces are coding, building CVs, leading teams, finding their voice. This year, we're making those stories visible — together.

Between 1–15 July, run a skills activity with your community. On 15 July, share it with .

A €5,000 prize pool recognises YMCAs that reach the most young people, tell the most powerful stories, and design the most inclusive activities.

📌 Learn more, register your YMCA and join the campaign → https://www.ymcaeurope.com/skills-in-action-2026/

05/06/2026

👉🏻On May 27, 2026, within the YMCA Roots for Peace program, YMCA Europe implementing partners in Armenia Roots & Next Youth Foundations, held a graduation event to celebrate the completion of sewed carpeting masterclasses along with the two-month English course for beginners.

✨The event commenced with a welcoming speech from the Roots & Next Youth Foundation team, emphasizing the impact of the two-month masterclass and the high volume of applications received through an open call, which reaffirmed the public’s strong demand for more artistic workshops.

05/06/2026

After a very extensive search (including cupboards and hidden corners), we finally found our newest team members 🎉

Welcome, Ana and Lucía, to the team — we’re so happy to have you with us!

Over the coming months, Ana and Lucía will be joining YMCA Europe through the ALMA programme. We believe internships should be more than work experience — they should create space for young people to learn, grow, build confidence, and discover new opportunities. We’re excited to be part of their journey and can’t wait to see what they bring to the team ✨

Drop a 👋 in the comments to say hello.

04/06/2026

🔻Changing the Way We See Challenges

When things get tough in leadership, it is easy to get caught up in analysing what went wrong and who is responsible. But real progress happens when we stop looking backward and start looking forward.

Our 1-to-1 sessions help you in asking the right questions – the kind that break down mental barriers, relieve the pressure of perfection, and help you see your YMCA's challenges with fresh curiosity and a constructive mindset.

The Details:

🎯 Who it’s for: Leaders in strategic management and governance.
⏳ Format: 1-hour online session.
🔒 Privacy: Strictly confidential (giving you a safe space to process complex challenges).
✨ The Goal: Turn obstacles into strategic development and clear next steps.

Ready to change your perspective?

🔗 Apply today: https://forms.gle/BUpeHKrU4uWNGVky7

04/06/2026

🔻Young people don’t need more “training”. They need access to the skills shaping the future of work.

Our exchange with Informar / DigitalTwinners focused on exactly that: how emerging technologies like XR can move from pilots to real skilling pathways.

What we see in this collaboration:

✅XR and immersive learning as practical tools for skills development, not just experimentation
✅New ways to train for jobs that don’t yet have traditional education pathways
✅Opportunities to connect digital skills with social enterprise models at local level
✅Scalable approaches that can be implemented across our Digital Hubs network

43% of young people in the EU still lack basic digital skills (European Commission).

If we are serious about closing this gap, innovation needs to be accessible, applied, and scalable.

This is where partnerships matter.

🤝We’re exploring how to turn these ideas into concrete opportunities for young people across Europe.

03/06/2026

🔻Today we had the pleasure of hosting the webinar “Tools for Change: Promoting Digital Wellbeing in Young People” — a meaningful and much-needed conversation for everyone working with youth in today’s digital world.

Together with our guest speaker, Ruben Somalo, Contextual Psychotherapist, we explored how digital habits are shaping young people’s lives and what we, as professionals, can do to support healthier relationships with technology.

During the session, participants engaged with:

✅Core concepts of digital wellbeing and digital behaviour
✅The psychology behind excessive screen use and digital addiction
✅Practical tools for encouraging digital detox and mindfulness in youth settings
✅Peer exchange and networking with professionals across the youth sector

It was inspiring to see such strong interest from youth workers, educators, and mental health professionals, all committed to fostering healthier digital environments for young people.

🙌A big thank you to everyone who joined us today and contributed to the discussion

Adres

Rue De L'Industrie 10
Brussels
1000

Telefoon

+34635891362

Website

http://www.ymcaeurope.com/

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