Mark Healy (Ireland) has begun his two-year mandate on the Board of the European Youth Forum, representing YMCA within Europe’s largest platform of youth organisations.
Elected at the European Youth Forum General Assembly in Tromsø, Norway, in May 2026 (learn more), Mark is one of eight Board Members serving alongside President Caillum Hedderman and Vice-President Chloë Cauchi. The new Board’s mandate runs from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2028.
Mark’s Board Responsibilities
Within the Board’s 2026–2028 portfolio allocation, Mark will co-lead the European Youth Forum’s work on Resilient Democracy and lead its portfolio on Youth Work and the European Youth Capital. He will also support work on environmental protection and sustainable development at global level. Internally, Mark will contribute to the revision of the Forum’s Policy Programme for youth organisations and serve on the taskforce responsible for recruiting the next Secretary General.
The Board held its first working meeting at the European Youth Centre in Budapest in July, setting the foundations for its work over the coming two years. Across four days, members focused on governance, the Forum’s strategic priorities, advocacy and planning for the new mandate.
The programme also included meetings with representatives of the Hungarian National Youth Council, the Executive Director of the European Youth Centre Budapest and the President of the European Committee of the Regions. These exchanges focused on cooperation with youth organisations and institutions and on strengthening young people’s participation in European decision-making.
Mark Healy
Bringing YMCA experience into European youth advocacy
Mark brings more than ten years of experience in youth participation, advocacy and programme development.
Through his work with YMCA Ireland and the wider YMCA movement, he has developed and delivered programmes covering advocacy, climate justice, media literacy, sustainable development and civic participation. His work has consistently focused on creating opportunities for young people to engage directly with decision-makers and influence the policies that affect them.
During his campaign for the European Youth Forum Board, Mark highlighted the need for a youth movement built on stronger communication, trust and meaningful participation by member organisations.
“I believe in a strong, connected youth movement where every organisation feels heard and empowered.”
Mark`s election also strengthens YMCA’s direct engagement with one of the main youth advocacy platforms working with European institutions.
For YMCA, this representation creates a direct channel to bring the realities and priorities of young people across the movement into European-level discussions. It also connects YMCA experience in youth participation, digital inclusion, employment, democracy, sustainability and community work with wider European youth policy debates.
Over the next two years, Mark and the new Board will be responsible for setting the European Youth Forum’s strategic direction and representing the interests of its member organisations and the young people they serve.
What is the European Youth Forum?
The European Youth Forum is an independent, democratic and youth-led platform bringing together more than 100 National Youth Councils and international youth organisations across Europe, including YMCA Europe. It represents tens of millions of young people and advocates for their rights and participation towards institutions including the European Union, the Council of Europe and the United Nations. Its work focuses on areas including democracy, strong youth organisations, social and economic inclusion, and the ecological crisis.
