ANNUAL REPORT
2020
ABOUT US YMCA EUROPE The European Alliance of YMCAs was created by several national YMCAs in 1973, with the purpose of setting a collective direction of the European movement and strengthening the work of the YMCA across the continent. YMCA Europe focused on the development of YMCAs in Southern Europe throughout the 1980s. After the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, many local and national YMCAs were refounded in Eastern Europe and their facilities were brought back to the movement after decades. The role of our European umbrella organization was fundamental in providing guidance, resources and capacity to the new members. In 2016 a representation office was opened in Brussels, Belgium in order to strengthen the voice and profile of YMCA Europe among the key European institutions and other civil society organizations. The main governance body is our General Assembly. An Executive Committee formed by volunteers is elected among the membership of YMCA Europe and a decentralized staff team operates and delivers the Strategic Plan and priorities adopted by the member YMCAs. Today there are 37 national YMCAs in Europe: 29 of them are full members of YMCA Europe and 8 co-operating YMCAs. Collectively there are more than 4,500 local YMCAs, involving more than 100,000 volunteers and approximately 21,000 members of staff. THE WORLDWIDE YMCA MOVEMENT YMCA is one of the oldest and largest youth-focused movements in the world. Founded in 1844, it now operates in 120 countries and reaches 64 million people every year. YMCA associations are strongly rooted in their communities and offer a variety of programmes and services based on local priorities and issues affecting young people and their communities. World YMCA is committed to promoting empowerment, social justice and peace for young people and their communities through four key areas – Health, Employment, Environment and Civic Engagement. These programme areas cover all 18 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and unite us in our mission to empower young people so that they may transform the world for the better. 1 | YMCA EUROPE ANNUAL REPORT
CONTENTS
IMPACT
NATIONAL YMCAs IN EUROPE: 29 FULL MEMBERS, 8 COOPERATING MEMBERS
2,000,000
95,000
20,000
roots for peace
4,100
*Figures provided by the National Movements in 2018
74
YMCA CAMPS IN 28 COUNTRIES
56 YMCA PROJECTS WITH REFUGEES IN 20 COUNTRIES
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14
15
YMCA WORLDWIDE GREENLAND (DENMARK)
SVALBARD (NORWAY)
YMCA ICELAND 1899
YMCA SWEDEN 1844
YMCA RUSSIA 1900
YMCA FINLAND 1886
YMCA NORWAY 1878
YMCA CANADA 1851
YMCA POLAND 1923 YMCA CZECH REPUBLIC 1920 YMCA SLOVAKIA 1920 YMCA ESTONIA 1919
YMCA DENMARK1878
YMCA LATVIA 1923 YMCA LITHUANIA 1932
YMCA NETHERLANDS 1851
YMCA GERMANY 1848 World YMCA
YMCA AUSTRIA 1996 YMCA SWITZERLAND 1852
YMCA PORTUGAL 1894
YMCA BELARUS 1994 YMCA MOLDOVA 1996 YMCA HUNGARY 1883 YMCA BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 2011
YMCA Europe
YMCA IRELAND 1849 YMCA ENGLAND AND WALES 1844 YMCA BELGIUM 1853
YMCA USA 1851
YMCA FRANCE 1851
YMCA UKRAINE 1993 ROMANIA
YMCA SPAIN 1880
YMCA MONGOLIA 2002
YMCA SERBIA 2008 YMCA BULGARIA 1883 YMCA GEORGIA 1991 YMCA ARMENIA 1992
YMCA KOREA 1888 YMCA JAPAN 1880
YMCA ITALY 1851 YMCA LEBANON 1890
YMCA Latin America & Caribbean
YMCA NEPAL 1990
CYPRUS
YMCA BAHAMAS 1966 YMCA CUBA 1905 YMCA HAITI 1895 YMCA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 1963 YMCA JAMAICA YMCA BELIZE 19871920 YMCA HONDURAS 1990 YMCA ARUBA YMCA GUATEMALA 1964 1956 YMCA YMCA BARBADOS 1880 YMCA EL SALVADOR 1990 SAINT VICENT NICARAGUA 1989 TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 1921 1994 YMCA COSTA RICA 1975
YMCA VENEZUELA
YMCA PANAMA 1966
YMCA GUYANA 1882 YMCA SURINAM 1972
YMCA COLOMBIA 1963
YMCA SIERRA LEONE 1912 YMCA LIBERIA 1881
YMCA MACAU 1991
YMCA TAIWAN 1945
YMCA MYANMAR 1897
YMCA ASIA & PACIFIC
YMCA PHILIPPINES 1911
YMCA THAILAND 1930 YMCA CAMBODIA 1999
YMCA YMCA ETHIOPIA SOUTH SUDAN 1951 2014
YMCA CAMEROON 1924
YMCA VIETNAM 1992 YMCA SRILANKA 1882
YMCA INDONESIA 1928
YMCA MALAYSIA 1905
YMCA Africa YMCA KENYA 1910
YMCA TANZANIA 1959 YMCA SINGAPORE 1902 TIMOR LESTE
YMCA ZAMBIA 1958
YMCA BOLIVIA 1943
YMCA FIJI 1971
YMCA MADAGASCAR 1924
YMCA ZIMBABWE 1968 YMCA PARAGUAY 1921
YMCA CHILE 1912
YMCA SOUTH AFRICA 1865
YMCA ARGENTINA 1902
YMCA HONGKONG 1901
YMCA Asia Pacific YMCA INDIA 1854
YMCA SUDAN 1889 YMCA NIGERIA 1925
YMCA BRAZIL 1893
YMCA PERU 1920
YMCA CHINA 1885
YMCA BANGLADESH 1965
YMCA PAKISTAN 1876
YMCA GAZA 1952 YMCA EGYPT 1909
YMCA NIGER 2004
YMCA SENEGAL 1982 YMCA THE GAMBIA 1979
YMCA TOGO 1930 YMCA GHANA 1890
YMCA ECUADOR 1947
YMCA JERUSALEM INTERNATIONAL 1878 YMCA EAST JERUSALEM 1848 YMCA JORDAN 1961
YMCA MALTA 1976 YMCA MONTENEGRO 2011 YMCA ALBANIA 2008 YMCA KOSOVO 2003 YMCA N.MACEDONIA 1999 YMCA GREECE 1892
YMCA MEXICO 1891
YMCA AUSTRALIA 1851
YMCA URUGUAY 1909
NEW ZEALAND 1855
YMCAS AND ESTIMATED STARTING YEARS SOME GROUPS STARTED BEFORE 1844 AND LATER CHANGED TO YMCAs
Cover photo credit: YMCA Turku Finland | Maija Ruokonen
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FOREWORD We are proud to share with you the highlights of YMCA Europe in 2020. This is a summary of the many efforts that we have collectively made to remain relevant, adding value to the excellent work of the YMCA at local, regional and national levels. Every month we reported dozens of initiatives through our newsletters and the publications in our platforms. Looking back, also YMCA Europe had to quickly adapt to new realities and still take the opportunity to thrive on chance. As it was reported at the general assemblies, we successfully completed the 2016-2020 Strategy with positive contributions to the European movement by Creating Spaces, Movement Strengthening and Representation. This achievement facilitated a smooth transition in our governance body and therefore we want to express the deepest gratitude to President Mike Will
and the Executive Committee members that finished their term in November. Together with the staff team, our leadership has built a solid ground, being a reference for our member movements, adapting activities to the new context and showing resilience and relevance in these unprecedented times. In cooperation with National Movements and partners, we quickly made adjustments in our movement strengthening, communications, advocacy and representation work with one clear objective: to continue delivering our mission following the purpose of YMCA Europe´s foundation 47 years ago. More than ever this goal was crucial.
New tools and services were provided though our Movement Strengthening strategy, an innovative peace & justice project was approved and implemented in addition to “Roots for Peace”, a new dimension and impact was visible within our Communications plan. The impact of our Advocacy and Representation work within the main European institutions raised our profile, the joint work with other youth focused platforms was increased and our leading role was recognized by our public and private partners.
a successful and inspiring one. As we started drafting the new Strategic Direction, we look forward to the involvement of all our stakeholders in this work. Thank you in advance for helping YMCA Europe taking the next steps forward. Our main goal is to provide a solid and agile platform to our members, contributing to respond to contemporary issues affecting young people. Thank you on behalf of our Executive Committee and Staff Team. Looking forward to working alongside with you in 2021!
We have been inspired by the commitment and capacities of the National YMCAs and our different networks such as programme groups, committees and working platforms. The leadership and dedication of the diverse teams that form the European movement, made this year possible.
Emma Osmundsen President
Juan Simoes Iglesias Secretary General
Our recognition and gratitude goes to each of each of the volunteers, members, staff and representatives of partner organizations that made this year 4 | YMCA EUROPE ANNUAL REPORT
2020 AT A GLANCE Roots for Peace goes on three more years
JANUARY
YMCA Connects platform
FEBRUARY
Youth Matters: our message to the European Institutions
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
MARCH
roots for peace
Executive Committee Meeting near Berlin
YMCA #BeResponsible campaign was launched
AUGUST JULY
YMCA Europe`s Annual Report 2019 launched
YMCA Europe`s General Assembly Part I
European National General Secretaries Meeting
SEPTEMBER
NOVEMBER OCTOBER
YMCA Europe Roots for Peace Award
Meeting of the newly elected Executive Committee
YMCA call for Peace in the South Caucasus
DECEMBER
YMCA Europe`s General Assembly Part II
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IMPACT
NATIONAL YMCAs IN EUROPE: 29 FULL MEMBERS, 8 COOPERATING MEMBERS
2,000,000
95,000
20,000 4,100
*Figures provided by the National Movements in 2018
74
YMCA CAMPS IN 28 COUNTRIES
56 YMCA PROJECTS WITH REFUGEES IN 20 COUNTRIES
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5
PRESENCE 24 BRANCHES 34 STAFF
11 BRANCHES 35 STAFF
683 BRANCHES 101 STAFF
10 BRANCHES 16 STAFF
83 BRANCHES
260 BRANCHES 14 STAFF
BRANCHES STAFF 30 BRANCHES 237 STAFF
7 BRANCHES 7 STAFF
140 BRANCHES 36 STAFF
8 BRANCHES 6 STAFF
18 BRANCHES 259 STAFF
17 BRANCHES 51 STAFF
116 BRANCHES 6680 STAFF
25 BRANCHES 60 STAFF 16 BRANCHES 24 STAFF
21 BRANCHES
9 BRANCHES 13 BRANCHES
3 BRANCHES 4 STAFF
262 BRANCHES 94 STAFF
KOSOVO
BRANCHES STAFF
NORTH MACEDONIA
5 BRANCHES 57 STAFF 5 BRANCHES 90 STAFF
17 BRANCHES 400 STAFF
4 BRANCHES 9 STAFF
1 BRANCH 9 STAFF
YMCAs & ESTIMAED STARTING YEAR* Figures provided by the National Movements in 2018
8 BRANCHES 1 STAFF
2200 BRANCHES 9536 STAFF
5 BRANCHES 23 STAFF YMCA FUNDED IN 2003 6 BRANCHES 13 STAFF
5 BRANCHES 19 STAFF
YMCA FUNDED IN 1993 25 BRANCHES 19 STAFF
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6 COVID-19 During the Covid-19 crisis, YMCAs across Europe have been determined to help their communities in partnership with other institutions, using their full potential and experience. YMCA Europe created the Facebook community YMCA CONNECTS, open to all YMCAs across the world. The groups shared resources on how to maintain physical and mental health, best practices for staff on how to adapt to new home-office procedures. We organised webinars on advocacy and fundraising, tools and informal online
gatherings, including producing some song to lift the spirits during the first lockdown. YMCA Europe Peacebuilding Project Roots for Peace also kept its vocation to build bridges despite divisions and had its peace activists involved in different online activities and campaigns. YMCA Europe has elaborated and run a Covid-19 Impact Survey which embraced not only European YMCAs but other geographical areas as well. You can see the key data here.
Learn more
Due to Covid-19 limitations, the YMCA Leadership Academy project team organised on-line meetings to support the participants learning in project design, using state of the art online learning platforms, creating and adapting new materials for online non formal education. We also launched in April #beResponsible - an awareness campaign about the need to wear protective masks. Also online, YMCAs such as Setubal (Portugal), Scotland, Romania, Czech Republic, Ukraine developed different projects and offers for their members. The YMCAs from England & Wales, Sweden, Kosovo, Italy, Greece, Armenia, Spain, Romania or Scotland have proactively worked on campaigns and a number of projects such as the delivery of food parcels and other goods to those in need or adapting their programmes to the online format. The Back on Track report was launched by YMCA England and Wales in August 2020. The aim of this research was to find out from young people about the impact that Covid-19 had on themselves.
Learn more 8 | YMCA EUROPE ANNUAL REPORT
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7 STORIES
In these very challenging times, when it seems hard to know what steps to take next, what helps us in our work is that we work with youth, for youth. And our youth has a very clear view of what our role should be in Europe, and the kind of Europe they want.
HANNAH, GERMANY The Europe I want, it`s a place where the voice of young people is to be heard. Where they are empowered and given responsibility, no matter where they are coming from...
IAN, NORTHERN IRELAND An organisation that puts young people at the forefront of its work, an organisation that brings together the best of countries, cultures and communities to fulfill their mission and impact youth…
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7 MIRJAMI, FINLAND What YMCA Europe must do for our future and the future of Europe is to stand tall for the values that we all share in the YMCA and have open conversations to engage young people in activism to actually not assume but hear people out…
MARIAM, GEORGIA YMCA Europe has to continue building a solid base for the young people and give them the chance to speak and be the voice not an echo...
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ACTIVITIES CAPACITY BUILDING Events based on trainings have also been a key pillar within YMCA Europe´s annual projects. This year this field has become especially relevant for the global movement. YMCA Europe joined and promoted World YMCA “Leaders Talks” sessions on the health, social and economic impact of Covid-19 during May-June 2020. In addition, our Staff Team designed sessions on fundrasing, advocacy, movement strengthening and project management during the lockdown period. The incoming Executive Committee elected in November were also beneficiaries of governance, strategic planning and YMCA Europe´s identity and history as part of their induction process.
Movement Strengthening is a key Strategic Priority of YMCA Europe. It is a process of assisting National Movements in understanding and achieving desired changes in prioritised spheres of their work for the benefit of the target groups through self-analysis, empowerment of people and external expertise. Key Progress in Movement Strengthening Area for 2020: Ÿ Movement Strengthening Toolkit is developed and published; Ÿ International Organic Governance project is on: questionnaires
Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
are elaborated and open for National Movements to analyse their governance sphere; Health Check Overview 2019 is done; The data collection for "Impact Covid-19 Survey" is completed with 13 National Movements participating in Europe and 41 National Movements taking part globally; European Staff Conference is being prepared, the Registration is open; Movement Strengthening Library is created; Field Groups meetings of YMCA Belarus and YMCA Ukraine took place; Crisis Leadership Coaching Groups for 6 National Movements took place; Minimum Standards for National Movements were designed in the International Global Team; Learn more 11 | YMCA EUROPE ANNUAL REPORT
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PROGRAMMES YMCA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Co-funded by the European Youth Foundation, "YMCA Leadership Academy: Global Leaders for Local Communities" Project was planned to start in March 2020. 30 young leaders from 25 European countries were recruited to initiate their training journey.
adapting new materials on non formal education ready to be used virtually. Meanwhile the project team has managed to negotiate with the donor to create a contest for the projects with some financial support for the winners.
One of the most important outcomes of the course is the design and implementation of social projects with an impact on the community.
It means that many participants of the course will receive seed grants to implement their projects in 2021.
Following a new time-frame caused by Covid-19 limitations, the project team organised four online meetings to support the participants learning about project design, using online learning platforms and creating and
This is a new setting and procedure for YMCA Europe, but also an opportunity to develop our educational digital tools, which will be kept to expand participation within our education programmes.
ROOTS FOR PEACE
GENERATION NEXT
While the original action plan for the year was disrupted by COVID19 pandemic, Roots for Peace was up and buzzing in 2020, nevertheless.
YMCA Europe welcomed “Generation Next” - the new member in its project pool in 2020 an extraordinary success during a year marked with closures and restrictions.
More than 30 activities and initiatives were implemented in an online format, involving more than 75 people. In addition there was still a window of opportunity to organize the Roots Local Capacities for Peace Award project with around 60 young people from different ethnic backgrounds coming together for 10 days at YMCA Georgia Camp Orange in August 2020. Learn more
Funded by our long-standing donor and partner - Bread for the World, the Generation Next project will run for 3 years and will provide hundreds of young people in the South Caucasus with scholarship opportunities to complete their higher education or participate in upskilling summer schools, held in cooperation with selected academic institutions.
Learn more 12 | YMCA EUROPE ANNUAL REPORT
9 So, the odds were definitely not in favour – nevertheless, the “Roof for Roots” team persisted, hoping for the change… And it did occur! With the majority of Covid-19 restrictions gradually lifted and the situation in the region returning to normal, all that had to be done was to roll up the sleeves and make “Roof for Roots” happen… ROOTS PEACE AWARD The fourth phase of Roots got off to a flying start in early 2020 with a new project component, the Local Capacities for Peace Award receiving high engagement from all over Europe with nominations received from the YMCAs of Artsakh, Georgia, Ukraine and Ireland. The Roots Peace Work Institute Alumni were granted the exclusive right to vote and decide upon the winner of the Award, and the majority of them cast their votes for the YMCA Georgia project “Roof for Roots”. When the tensions on the Armenia Azerbaijan border escalated severely in early summer, the chances of having “Roof for Roots” got fainter as Armenian & Azerbaijani youth residing in Georgia were exactly the target groups that would spend 10 days together with their Georgian peers at YMCA Georgia “Camp Orange” – in the environment fostering peace, tolerance and understanding…
The event was implemented from August 15th to 25th and involved 60 young people (mostly aged 15 - 20), representing ethnic Georgian, Armenian & Azerbaijani communities. The event had 2 sessions, 5 days each and focused on workshops dedicated to reconciliation, civic engagement, human and minority rights, exposure visits to local historic and nature sites and representation of own cultural traditions. Learn more
ROOTS MAKING A DIFFERENCE “Roots has become a big part of my life… Here we are all equal. And every time I go home, I feel like a better person!” - Salome Kalabegashvili - 18 Years Old; Ethnic Georgian; Volunteer of Tbilisi YMCA & Student at Tbilisi Agricultural University . "Roots is where I felt welcome and that I belong... That I am not the only one with challenges in life; and that I can overcome them… It is where all the activities are inspired with the atmosphere of love. I am happy now! “ - Chinara Kojaeva - 20 Years Old; Ethnic Azerbaijani; Works at Innovations & Reforms Center in Tbilisi “Skills, fun, multicultural environment, integration, bonding, challenging & overcoming stereotypes – this is Roots!” - Rima Marangozyan - 21 Years Old; Ethnic Armenian; Student of Journalism at Tbilisi State University “Roots is where expectations are exceeded… And we, coming from different ethnic groups, learn about each other and how to work together. This is how you become the true citizen of your country. ” Anvar Jafarov - 21 years Old; Ethnic Azerbaijani; Student of Medicine at Tbilisi State University Learn more
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9 COMMUNICATIONS WHEREVER YOU ARE
STAY SAFE
STAY CONNECTED! #YMCACONNECTS
Learn more
We set up the YMCA CONNECTS Facebook group where young people around the world were able to interact with peers from other countries, to distribute materials online, make suggestions for spending your free time at home, posting videos, sharing thoughts, etc...
We chose 19th of May as a launch day because on this day the Council of Ministers of Youth had a meeting planned, and we could launch the campaign at a moment where European institutions were more receptive to youth action.
As YMCA, it is our duty to lead the way with civic responsibility: it was not something we had to as a part of our regular activities, we did it because it was the right thing to do.
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on September 21st.
We feel close to our fellow citizens, especially the most vulnerable ones. We also launched in April #beResponsible - an awareness campaign about the need to wear protective masks. At the beginning of 2020, YMCA Europe launched a series of campaigns aimed mainly at young people and their situation in the current context and beyond. YMCA Connects The campaign was launched in April and the main goal was to provide mental health support to young people and communities affected by the Covid-19 pandemic as millions are being isolated at home.
International Day of Peace
It is of paramount interest to the global community to contribute towards building peace, as it represents the basis of prosperity and progress. And it is essential to address the issue at grassroots level, since it is impossible to achieve real peace until society is prepared and ready for it. This is exactly what we wanted to do on September 21 through messages of peace and solidarity published by young people from YMCA organizations.
Young People Matter YMCA Europe took the initiative to target European Institutions with a campaign to remind them to invest in youth during and after the CoVid19 emergency. We created a draft of a statement, contacted our Big 6 partners and coordinated with them to reach a consensus on a common statement. Once we finalised the position, we made a plan of dissemination on all our social media platforms (and our Big 6 partners). 14 | YMCA EUROPE ANNUAL REPORT
9 YMCA EUROPE`S PROGRAMME GROUPS Programme groups of YMCA Europe: Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Camping Program Group Working Group on Refugees ESY - European Sports YMCA ESG - European Scouting and Jungschar European TenSing Christian Orientation Group Youth Policy Group Youth Empowerment Space - YES
The camp program provides many possibilities for working with young people in the field of non-formal and outdoor experiential education which is one of the YMCA flagship programs among the YMCAs worldwide. Since its founding, the YMCA Europe Camping Program Group has implemented several events aiming to bring together the camping leaders across Europe. As part of that effort, the Programme group and the partners from national and local YMCAs across Europe managed to put together an online database with 74 campsites in 28 countries. Learn more
Together with our “Working Group on Refugees” and our national and local partners, we have managed to put together a database with most of the projects for refugees and migrants across Europe directly managed by YMCAs. The database is available online and presents 56 projects from 15 countries. Learn more
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SECT ION
ADVOCACY The year 2020 was particularly challenging for the work of all youth NGOs in Brussels: meetings were not possible anymore in person, nor conferences or regular interactions with decision makers. Nevertheless the Brussels Office of YMCA Europe was able to continue its work, and took on several new items on the agenda.
The Brussels Office works on 3 main areas: Ÿ Advocacy covers all matter related to
development of policy positions, representation to EU institutions and other actors, development of campaign contents and relations with fellow NGOs and other actors; Ÿ Fundraising covers all search for funding
Since March 2020, all activities of the Brussels office have been moved online, due to the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
opportunities to fund YMCA Europe’s activities or our members` activities. Ÿ Project covers all instances where the
This caused a change in the type of activities, but not a significant slowdown in the frequency and number of activities.
Office provides work or expertise for an active project. Learn more
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PARTNERSHIPS #YOUTHMATTERS CAMPAIGN WITH BIG 6
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WORLD YMCA
YMCA Europe took the initiative to target European Institutions with #YouthMatters campaign to remind them to invest in youth during and after the Covid-19 emergency.
YMCA Europe´s strategic journey and main pillars are aligned with World YMCA vision and strategy. This partnership has been more relevant during 2020 both on the governance and the management spheres.
We created a draft of a statement together with our Big 6 partners and coordinated with them to reach a consensus on a common statement. We chose 19th of May as a launch day because on this day the Council of Ministers of Youth had a meeting planned, and we could launch the campaign at a moment where European institutions were more receptive to youth action. Our messages reached the most important EU institutions: The current Presidency of the Council of the EU, The next Presidency (Germany), The President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen, The Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel, The President of the European Council Jean Michel, The President of the European Parliament David Sassoli, The Chair of the CULT Committee Sabine Verheyen MEP. The representatives of these institutions have all agreed to meet with YMCA Europe when the Covid-19 restrictions will allow it. This is a very important result for our visibility and credibility on the EU stage. Learn more
Coordination and joint working included a new approach to Communications and Movement Strengthening as key areas for both the European and the global dimension. YMCA Europe was represented at all forums and working spaces created by World YMCA (Global Staff Team, Covid-19 response actions, campaigns and advoacy work). World YMCA was also represented through its Secretary General at YMCAs Europe´s two general assemblies, all European National
General Secretaries meetings and the induction sessions for our new Executive Committee. A consultation process to adapt the strategic direction of both the World and the European levels started in 2020 taking into consideration the new scenarios and needs caused by the impact of the pandemic. In this respect, YMCA Europe has been especially involved in designing the surveys and tools used across the movement, including the analysis of the outcomes. Our Communications and Movement Strengthening staff increased the cooperation with the World Alliance team, sharing tools, working platforms and expertise in both fields. 17 | YMCA EUROPE ANNUAL REPORT
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GOVERNANCE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
On November 20th, over 75 delegates from 35 countries took part at YMCA Europe's General Assembly (Part II).
Following our Constitution, the main annual governance event had to take place before June 30th and due to Covid-19 the “in person” meeting planned for May 21-24 in Brussels had to be postponed.
A new Executive Committee was elected under the Presidency of Emma Osmundsen from YMCA England & Wales.
On June 26th, YMCA Europe´s General Assembly gathered close to 80 delegates representing 29 national European YMCAs. This first virtual General Assembly kept all the usual ingredients. So as well the pragmatic submission and approval of reports, we also had the inspirational moments that are so important for our federation. A very special message to all YMCA delegates was received from Mr. David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament who expressed the need to continue creating spaces for youth participation in civic life.
In the transition ceremony, President Mike Will thanked and congratulated Emma for taking this step, a milestone in YMCA Europe´s history as she became the first female President in our history. A priority for our governance body has been to agree on the frame for our upcoming Strategy. This work started in February as the previous strategic period 2016-2020 was closed and evaluated.
Learn more
The new Executive Committee took over this task immediately after their elections on November 20th and a new draft was agreed in December, using the previous inputs from the network of National General Secretaries, the Staff Team and other key stakeholders.
In the present context that we live in Europe, this youth involvement is more needed than ever - Mr. Sassoli shared, also stressing the EU commitment with youth empowerment. Learn more
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GOVERNANCE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
PAST PRESIDENTS Mr. Terry Ratclife, England Mr. Jan Nissén, Sweden Mr. Peter Posner, England Mr. Ed Eggink, The Netherlands Mr. Mike Will, Scotland
UNTIL NOVEMBER 2020
PAST SECRETARY GENERALS
President: Mr. Mike Will, Scotland Vice President: Mr. Stepan Cerny, Czech Republic Treasurer: Ms. Beate Turck, Germany Recording Secretary: Ms. Diana Zarembiene, Lithuania Mr. Sven Larsen, Norway Ms. Anita Beguelin, Switzerland Mr. Pascal Rosenthal, Germany Ms. Marta Huretska, Ukraine Mr. Edgar Mifsud, Malta
Mr. Egon Slopianka, Germany Rev. Doelf Weder, Switzerland Rev. Johan Vilhelm Eltvik, Norway
FROM NOVEMBER 2020 President: Mrs. Emma Osmundsen, England & Wales Vice President: Mrs. Jenni Enqvist, Finland Treasurer: Mrs. Silvia Lazaridis, Germany Recording Secretary: Ms. Diana Zarembiene, Lithuania Mr. Eneko Lopez de Dicastillo, Spain Ms. Marina Martynenko, Russia Mr. Pascal Rosenthal, Germany Mr. Vitalii Bohniak, Ukraine Mr. Richard Schweizer, Switzerland Secretary General (non-voting): Mr. Juan Simoes Iglesias, Spain
STAFF AT 31/12/2020 Mr. Juan Simoes Iglesias, Spain Secretary General Mrs. Martina Hudcovska, Slovakia Finance Executive Secretary Mr. Vardan Hambardzumyan, Armenia Executive Secretary - Programmes Mr. Marius Pop, Spain Director of Communications Ms. Olga Lukina, Belarus Executive Secretary for Movement Strengthening Mrs. Ilenia Ventroni, Italy Advocacy, Project and Fundraising Officer Mrs. Sarka Cihakova, Czech Republic Accountant Mr. Revaz Shavladze, Georgia Project Assistent 20 | YMCA EUROPE ANNUAL REPORT
13 FUNDING PARTNERS
NATIONAL YMCAS IN EUROPE COOPERATING IN PROJECTS AND YMCA EUROPE´S FULL MEMBERS YMCA of the USA
CVJM Aktion Hoffnungszeichen
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YMCA WORLDWIDE GREENLAND (DENMARK)
SVALBARD (NORWAY)
YMCA ICELAND 1899
YMCA SWEDEN 1844
YMCA RUSSIA 1900
YMCA FINLAND 1886
YMCA NORWAY 1878
YMCA CANADA 1851
YMCA POLAND 1923 YMCA CZECH REPUBLIC 1920 YMCA SLOVAKIA 1920 YMCA ESTONIA 1919
YMCA DENMARK1878
YMCA LATVIA 1923 YMCA LITHUANIA 1932
YMCA NETHERLANDS 1851
YMCA GERMANY 1848 World YMCA
YMCA AUSTRIA 1996 YMCA SWITZERLAND 1852
YMCA USA 1851
YMCA PORTUGAL 1894
YMCA BELARUS 1994 YMCA MOLDOVA 1996 YMCA HUNGARY 1883 YMCA BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 2011
YMCA Europe
YMCA IRELAND 1849 YMCA ENGLAND AND WALES 1844 YMCA BELGIUM 1853
YMCA FRANCE 1851
YMCA UKRAINE 1993 ROMANIA
YMCA SPAIN 1880
YMCA MONGOLIA 2002
YMCA SERBIA 2008 YMCA BULGARIA 1883 YMCA GEORGIA 1991 YMCA ARMENIA 1992
YMCA KOREA 1888 YMCA JAPAN 1880
YMCA ITALY 1851 YMCA LEBANON 1890
YMCA Latin America & Caribbean
YMCA NEPAL 1990
CYPRUS
YMCA MEXICO 1891
YMCA BAHAMAS 1966 YMCA CUBA 1905 YMCA HAITI 1895 YMCA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 1963 YMCA JAMAICA YMCA BELIZE 19871920 YMCA ARUBA YMCA HONDURAS 1990 YMCA GUATEMALA 1964 1956 YMCA YMCA BARBADOS 1880 YMCA EL SALVADOR 1990 SAINT VICENT NICARAGUA 1989 TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 1921 1994 YMCA COSTA RICA 1975
YMCA VENEZUELA
YMCA PANAMA 1966
YMCA GUYANA 1882 YMCA SURINAM 1972
YMCA COLOMBIA 1963
YMCA SIERRA LEONE 1912
YMCA TAIWAN 1945
YMCA MYANMAR 1897
YMCA ASIA & PACIFIC
YMCA PHILIPPINES 1911
YMCA THAILAND 1930 YMCA CAMBODIA 1999
YMCA YMCA ETHIOPIA SOUTH SUDAN 1951 2014
YMCA CAMEROON 1924
YMCA VIETNAM 1992 YMCA SRILANKA 1882
YMCA INDONESIA 1928
YMCA MALAYSIA 1905
YMCA Africa YMCA KENYA 1910
YMCA TANZANIA 1959 YMCA SINGAPORE 1902 TIMOR LESTE
YMCA ZAMBIA 1958
YMCA BOLIVIA 1943
YMCA FIJI 1971
YMCA MADAGASCAR 1924
YMCA ZIMBABWE 1968 YMCA PARAGUAY 1921
YMCA CHILE 1912
YMCA SOUTH AFRICA 1865
YMCA ARGENTINA 1902
YMCA Asia Pacific YMCA INDIA 1854
YMCA SUDAN 1889
YMCA BRAZIL 1893
YMCA PERU 1920
YMCA MACAU 1991
YMCA BANGLADESH 1965
YMCA PAKISTAN 1876
YMCA EGYPT 1909
YMCA NIGERIA 1925
YMCA LIBERIA 1881
YMCA HONGKONG 1901
YMCA GAZA 1952
YMCA NIGER 2004
YMCA SENEGAL 1982 YMCA THE GAMBIA 1979
YMCA TOGO 1930 YMCA GHANA 1890
YMCA ECUADOR 1947
YMCA JERUSALEM INTERNATIONAL 1878 YMCA EAST JERUSALEM 1848 YMCA JORDAN 1961
YMCA MALTA 1976 YMCA MONTENEGRO 2011 YMCA ALBANIA 2008 YMCA KOSOVO 2003 YMCA N.MACEDONIA 1999 YMCA GREECE 1892
YMCA CHINA 1885
YMCA AUSTRALIA 1851
YMCA URUGUAY 1909
NEW ZEALAND 1855
YMCAS AND ESTIMATED STARTING YEARS SOME GROUPS STARTED BEFORE 1844 AND LATER CHANGED TO YMCAs
22 | YMCA EUROPE ANNUAL REPORT
15
WORLD YMCA IN 2020 COVID
REIMAGINATION
World YMCA shared in the global journey of the
World YMCA organised a series of ‘Padare’ online sessions
worldwide YMCA Movement in 2020. In March, it
in July and August, bringing together 190 people in 55
YOUTH LED SOLUTIONS
developed a three-part response to Covid-19 in 2020:
countries to debate the challenges facing YMCAs. The
World YMCA launched the Youth Led Solutions Initiative, empowering
building ‘Resilience’, launching ‘Recovery’, and
resulting handbook ‘Becoming an ‘Adaptive YMCA’ for the
young people to lead change. Its first summit was held online with Y
initiating a process of ‘Reimagination’.
21st Century’ was issued in December. Building on the
USA in October, on the topic of climate action. ‘Solution Teams’ from
Padare debates, in November a ‘Reimagine Lab’ was
nearly 50 countries submitted ideas for combating climate change,
RESILIENCE
launched in Australia, to revolutionise YMCA responses to
and are now being seed-funded.
A series of Leaders Talks in April and May – designed
mental health.
to source wisdom to cope with crisis - assembled 1000
PROGRAMME
CHANGE AGENTS
people online, addressed by 20 global leaders. A
ADVOCACY & PARTNERSHIP
Resilience Playbook was issued. Two ‘Youth Voices’
In April, May and December, World YMCA and the rest of
Agents from 50 countries receiving diplomas. Despite lockdown, the
online fora were run in May and June: ‘The future we
the ‘Big 6’ youth organisations highlighted the role of
cohort completed its curriculum. 750 Change Agents have graduated
want’, and ‘A future without racism’. Online
young people helping their communities in the time of
since 2012.
ecumenical thanksgiving services were organised in
Covid-19 and the massive challenges they faced. They
May, June and July, and the World Week of Prayer in
called on governments and policymakers to put young
November.
people at the heart of the solutions in post-pandemic recovery eorts. In December, World YMCA and the rest of
RECOVERY
the Big 6 joined WHO in launching the ‘Global Youth
World YMCA set up the YMCA COVID Solidarity Fund,
Mobilization for Generation Disrupted’ to respond to the
and approved grants of almost CHF 380,000 to support
impacts of Covid-19 on young people.
The fourth Cohort of Change Agents concluded in October, with 135
COMMUNITIES OF IMPACT YMCA worldwide Communities of Impact on Refugees & Migrants (led by YMCA Canada) and Employment & Entrepreneurship (Y Care International, USA) involved 15 National Movements throughout 2020. Communities are tasked to scan, share and scale the very best of what the global Movement is doing all around the world. At year-end, World
27 National Movements struggling in the face of the
YMCA launched three new Communities of Impact, on Mental Health
pandemic.
(YMCA Australia), Climate Action (Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs), and Policy & Advocacy (YMCA England & Wales).
23 | YMCA EUROPE ANNUAL REPORT
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@ymcaeurope Published February 2021