Under the Country Focus Strategy, the YMCA does the following:

> Make a self-assessment...

Experience shows that vibrant YMCAs regularly reflect on their own Movement by using the three pillars for Movement Strengthening as a guideline: Mission Clarity, Social Relevance and Institutional Viability. It will help the YMCA find out whether it is lacking in any of these areas.

In fact, GOP (Global Operating Plan) provides the framework for every YMCA to develop and adjust its own strategic plan on how to strengthen its movement.

> Request help...

 If a YMCA faces serious challenges which it cannot resolve on its own, it can address this need to the Area YMCA or the World Alliance.

> Be supported to do an institutional diagnosis...

When requested, the area YMCA, together with a group of experts from different YMCAs, may then decide to do an institutional diagnosis (hyperlink to ID document) of the YMCA in need. The three pillars for Movement Strengthening (hyperlink) will guide them in their discussions with the staff, the board and the members of this YMCA. A roadmap will eventually be worked out to show the first steps to be taken by the YMCA to regain its strength and vibrancy. 

> Meeting in Country Focus Groups...

 If after this first step, the YMCA in need is still keen and ready to continue the GOP process, interested YMCAs from around the world may then be invited by the Area Alliance or World Alliance to form together a so called “Country Focus Group”. Together with the YMCA in need, they will agree on a Strategic Plan for several years and an action plan for every year. The supported YMCA will be called a «GOP Focus Country »

> To be accompanied....

The « Country Focus Groups » will accompany the  « GOP Focus Country » during the whole strengthening process. They meet on average once a year together with the YMCA leadership and members. Each international partner group will contribute to the process through expertise and if possible, financial resources. We also call this “ Begleitung”.      

> When does it stop?

A Movement Strengthening process, supported by international partners, may last several years, on average between 3-6 years. Once the YMCA in need has regained its organisational health through sound programmes, finance and governance, it may feel that it can continue the process on its own. International partners may then disengage and focus their energy and attention on other YMCAs that request assistance.

But this is only the beginning! The process continues! Vibrant YMCAs continue to regularly assess themselves, adjust and change where necessary.   

For further information, see below the 10-Step guide.

10 Step Guide for the Country Focus Strategy

The following is a 10-step guide for Area Alliances to develop successful movement strengthening strategies with national YMCA movements.  The Movement Strengthening Matrix will contain key definitions of terms, assessment tools, guides, training manuals, best practices, lists of individuals/YMCAs with key competencies, and case studies to aid Area Alliances, national movements and partners in strengthening YMCAs through cross-cutting strategies and multilateral/bilateral processes.  

1. Recognition of Challenge:  The first step begins when a national movement and/or its area alliance and key partners recognise that the YMCA is facing serious challenges.

2. Institutional Diagnostic: The second step is for key leaders from the national movement, area alliance, partners and/or external experts to conduct an institutional diagnostic to identify challenges and opportunities for solutions.

3. Identification of Critical Issues: The third step is to identify critical issues the national movement must address from the institutional diagnostis in order to strengthen its mission clarity, socially relevant programs, and institutional viability.

4. Prioritization of Needs: The fourth step is to prioritize pressing and urgent needs, while taking into consideration the current operational context and availability of resources.  The national movement, volunteer and staff leaders must be committed and prepared to address priorities in a decisive, transparent, and effective manner.

5. Development of a Movement Strengthening Work Plan: The fifth step is to develop a Movement Strengthening Work Plan with the key stakeholders (volunteer and staff leaders, Area Alliance and partners) with measurable targets and deadlines.  The plan can be developed to cover phases with expected achievements for each phase. The plan is dynamic and evolves as the YMCA progresses; this evolution is not always linear.

6. Identification of Resources and Experts: The sixth step is to identify the required human, financial and material resources to address the priority areas in the Work Plan.

7. Implementation of a Movement Strengthening Work Plan: The seventh step is to implement the Movement Strengthening Work Plan recommendations.  Some priorities can be addressed internally while others will require significant technical assistance from the Area Alliance, partners and/or external experts.

8. Monitor and Report on Results: The eighth step is to regularly monitor and report on the movement strengthening results, challenges and future plans in order to track progress and make necessary adjustments.

9. Annual Evaluation: The ninth step is to conduct an annual evaluation to identify the strengths and weaknesses with the key stakeholders and to develop future plans.

10. Documentation of Lessons Learned: The tenth step is to document lessons learned in order to strengthen and update the Movement Strengthening Matrix best practices and case studies.

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