For the first time in its history, the YMCA movement has a seat on the Board of the European Youth Forum (YFJ) — the largest platform for youth participation in Europe.
At the General Assembly held in Tromsø, Norway, Mark Healy (YMCA Ireland) was elected to the YFJ Board, representing the entire YMCA Europe movement and the hundreds of thousands of young people it serves across the continent.
A milestone for the movement
This is not simply a personal achievement. Mark steps into this role as the direct representative of YMCA Europe’s collective voice — a movement active in more than 30 European countries, working daily on youth leadership, digital skills, social inclusion, and advocacy. His election brings that work into the room where European-level youth policy is shaped. Learn more about Mark`s platform.
Mark has built a consistent record within the YMCA: grounded in practice, strategic in approach, and focused on outcomes. He brings direct experience in youth leadership, advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration – exactly the profile needed to represent young people credibly at the European level.
Bloc unity delivers results
Mark’s election was also a product of collective action. As part of the Value Based Cooperation bloc within the European Youth Forum, all three bloc candidates were successfully elected to the Board. It is a clear demonstration of what principled, united advocacy can achieve.
What comes next
YMCA Europe stands fully behind Mark in this role. Together with the incoming YFJ Board and president-elect Caillum Hedderman, YMCA Europe will push for young people to be placed at the center of European decision-making and for youth rights to be defended at the highest levels.
