Empowering Young People for global good

There is no other organisation quite like the YMCA. Founded 175 years ago in London, England by young men who wanted to help struggling youth find their purpose and connect to the community, the YMCA has grown into a global ecumenical movement with a presence in 120 countries serving all youth and working together to build more just and inclusive world.

The global YMCA Movement is organised as a federation of independent local and national associations that is linked together and supported by the World YMCA. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World YMCA is one of the largest youth-serving movement working to bring empowerment, social justice and peace to young people and their communities through four key impact areas:

At the YMCA, we believe that all young people are born with great potential, yet too often they face tough challenges and uncertain futures. Working in collaboration with key stakeholders, the World YMCA supports and facilitates YMCAs worldwide to provide youth with safe spaces and opportunities to build their knowledge and skills, discover their personal identity and purpose, and take an active role in transforming communities.

Learn more about World YMCA