Our core role is to strengthen the capacity and sustainability of our member movements through organisational development, collaboration, knowledge exchange, and equipping staff and youth workers with the tools and resources they need. We work at both European and local levels — connecting our members to funding opportunities, partnerships, and policy processes, while amplifying the voice of young people in European and international decision-making spaces.
Our work is guided by four strategic focus areas:
- Community Wellbeing – promoting physical, mental, and social health for all
- Sustainable Planet – empowering young people to take action on environmental sustainability
- Meaningful Work – supporting skills development, employability, and economic inclusion
- A Just World – advancing inclusion, participation, and equal opportunities for all
Role Overview
The European Camping Ecosystem & Project Coordinator will play a dual strategic and operational role within YMCA Europe’s network of camps across Europe.
The position combines project coordination and delivery within the AMPLIFY project—particularly linked to the Pan-European Camp Hub—with strategic leadership in developing a European YMCA Camping Ecosystem focused on quality, sustainability, and shared standards.
This work directly supports AMPLIFY, a Horizon Europe initiative bringing together citizens, authorities, civil society, and creative practitioners to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience through participatory and cross-sector collaboration.
Key Responsibilities
AMPLIFY Project Coordination
- Coordinate YMCA Europe’s contribution to AMPLIFY work packages, including engagement of camp leaders in the Pan-European Creative Hub
- Ensure timely delivery of YMCA-related outputs: participation in training and co-creation activities, contribution to toolkits and knowledge-sharing platforms
- Liaise with consortium partners across Europe
- Responsible for reporting, monitoring, and evaluation requirements
European YMCA Camping Ecosystem Development
- Develop a European YMCA Camping Ecosystem connecting camp directors and practitioners, together with the European Camping Sub-committee
- Facilitate a best-practice sharing platform addressing programme quality, safeguarding, facilities, and inclusion
- Lead the development of common YMCA European camp standards, ensuring alignment with YMCA values and national legislation
- Develop and maintain a mapping database of all European YMCA camp infrastructure and programmes
- Strengthen YMCA’s brand and profile in camping across Europe
Capacity Building & Camp Sustainability
- Provide 1:1 support and mentoring to YMCA camp directors and national movements
- Support camps in strategic planning, programme design, and operational improvement
- Design and deliver training, peer-learning, and exchange opportunities
- Support YMCA camps in achieving financial sustainability through diversified income and sustainable business models
- Identify opportunities for innovation and new revenue streams within YMCA camping
Network Building & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain relationships with YMCA national movements, camp directors, and European and global partners
- Represent YMCA Europe in relevant events, forums, and exchanges
- Foster a community of practice around YMCA camping and youth development
- Ensure alignment between European initiatives and global YMCA priorities
Administration & Coordination
- Support day-to-day administration and coordination of activities
- Organise meetings, logistics, and maintain documentation
- Assist with reporting, data collection, and internal processes
- Ensure clear communication across teams and partners
Success Measures
- Established and active European YMCA Camping Ecosystem
- Updated European YMCA camps, hotels, hostels, and accommodations mapping database
- Agreed minimum standards framework for YMCA camps across Europe
- Improved quality, safety, and consistency of YMCA camp experiences
- Increased financial sustainability of YMCA camps
- Engagement of camp leaders across ≥10 countries in AMPLIFY outputs
- Participation in co-creation processes and training of 100+ camp leaders reaching 1,000+ youth
- Co-creation of a disaster preparedness communication mechanism for camps across Europe
Job Requirements
Experience & Qualifications
- Proven experience in YMCA or similar camp leadership/management (ideally 2+ years)
- Strong background in camp operations and programme development (ideally 3+ years)
- Experience in organisational development and capacity building
- Financial literacy and understanding of sustainable business models
- Knowledge of safeguarding and risk management in camp settings
- Familiarity with disaster preparedness or resilience education
- Experience working in European or international projects, with additional value placed on EU-funded projects (e.g. Horizon Europe, Erasmus+)
- Strong understanding of youth work and non-formal education
- Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken); additional languages are an asset
- Right to work in the European Union — YMCA Europe will not sponsor a work permit for this position
Competencies & Skills
- Demonstrated leadership and initiative, with the ability to take ownership and drive developments forward
- Strong strategic and systems-thinking approach, with the ability to build networks from the ground up
- Ability to deliver both operational coordination and strategic development
- Strong facilitation, collaboration, and partnership-building skills
- Excellent intercultural competence across diverse European contexts
- Practical experience with digital tools including Monday.com, Canva, Microsoft and Google applications
Working Conditions
- Location: European Union — remote position
- Contract: Full-time, project-based (36 months); employment, consultancy, or secondment contract depending on the applicant
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00–18:00, 38-hour working week
- Occasional work outside standard hours and international travel may be required
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary: €30,000–€37,000 gross per year
- Annual leave: 22 vacation days + public holidays of country of residence
- Social security: Benefits in line with the country of employment contract
Reporting Line
This role reports to the Organisational Development Director.
The role is expected to start no later than mid September / beginning of October 2026.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted via the online application form before Tuesday, 12 May 2026 at 23:59 CET.
Your application should include:
- A curriculum vitae with full details of education and career history
- A motivation letter
We recognise that AI tools can support your application and we welcome their use. However, roles at YMCA Europe value collaboration, initiative, and authentic thinking. We encourage you to ensure your application reflects your own experiences and perspectives.
Equal Opportunities
YMCA Europe is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion or belief, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital or family status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Recruitment decisions are based on relevant skills, experience, and potential to perform the role. Formal education may be considered but is not the sole or primary criterion.
We are committed to fair, transparent, and lawful processing of personal data in line with GDPR.
EU Funding Disclaimer
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
