For Luz Marina Vargas, the partnership between YMCA Colombia and HP Inc. represents a transformative opportunity.
“This partnership is really important for us,” said Luz, Technical Area Project Manager at YMCA Colombia. “It brings more opportunities for young people, and it’s helping us align with YMCA Vision 2030 and the goal of supporting Meaningful Work and Community Wellbeing.”
Globally, HP Inc. and YMCA have joined forces to equip adolescents and adults with the technology and digital skills needed for the future of work since 2022. In over 22 countries, YMCA and HP are partnering to accelerate digital equity globally by providing access to technology, digital literacy / AI and digital skills content.
In Colombia, the collaboration began in April 2025 and is centred around a shared commitment to advancing education and expanding access to digital tools and training for both young people and educators, with the following four key activities:
- Digital Communications & Outreach: Create and share educational content via email marketing and social media, including cybersecurity best practices.
- Online Digital & Cybersecurity Training: Offer webinars on essential digital skills, including internet safety, productivity tools, and responsible technology use.
- In-Person Training & Workshops: Deliver hands-on technology training for youth and adults to build practical digital skills.
- Support for Local YMCA Movements: Provide small grants to local YMCAs to replicate and expand cybersecurity and digital literacy efforts in their communities.
Together, these activities support both young people and YMCA staff and volunteers, offering practical tools for communication, leadership, digital literacy, and innovation. HP LIFE, a free global online training platform, and HP IDEA, a professional development program for educators, play an important part in those activities, particularly in online training.
From strategy to action
YMCA Colombia and HP Inc. Colombia signed a Memorandum of Understanding to participate in HP IDEA, the Innovation and Digital Education Academy, in April 2025. HP IDEA has grown quickly with already 318 teachers from 54 schools nationwide who have participated in the training.
In addition, YMCA Colombia has begun rolling out HP LIFE courses, which help young people build essential skills in communication, leadership, and digital literacy. The team has also developed additional digital content and has begun sharing practical tutorials on Instagram, introducing tools like Canva, Google Slides, and more.
On July 1, YMCA Colombia hosted “Digital Mode: ON,” a webinar offering tips on how to grow, connect, and stand out in digital spaces.
Overall, the YMCA Colombia team aims to reach 15,000 beneficiaries in 2025 with a focus on:
- Social media and digital communications
- Webinars, videos, and online training
- In-person events, such as a recent Corporate Volunteer Day with HP Colombia
To guide their approach, they recently launched a survey to understand what topics and formats were most useful. The responses helped shape a clear, community-informed digital strategy.
“We weren’t sure at first what kind of content or formats would work best,” Luz said. “But the feedback gave us crucial information. Now we are building something that really responds to what people need.”
The initiative also places strong emphasis on soft skills, such as communication, collaboration, and digital confidence. These are essential in today’s job market.
Although much of this work is new, Luz sees it as an important step forward.
“We’re learning as we go,” she said. “It’s a big responsibility, but also a great opportunity. We’re proud to lead this work.”
As the partnership continues, YMCA Colombia is not just helping youth gain skills. It is also helping shape a more equitable, connected, and empowered future.
