The ”From Ideas to Actions: Digital Hubs, Gaming and Community Impact” Event, hosted by YMCA Slovakia, was an opportunity for representatives of 22 national movements to connect and the valuable tech sector partners of our European movement.
Since 2022, we have joined forces with HP Inc. to equip young individuals with the tools and digital skills they need to be prepared for the future of work – as well as being part of HP Inc’s mission to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people by 2030.
This joint mission is designed to explore the possibilities of implementing digital education and skilling solutions in their communities, bringing technology closer to their beneficiaries, promoting digital inclusion and facilitating the use of the digital sphere as a tool for youth work, communication and community engagement.
The opening of the hub in Slovakia is the very testimony of our commitment to accelerate digitalisation across our movement.
Bernhard Fauser, Managing Director Central and Eastern Europe at HP Inc, Ina Progonati, Lead for Social Impact Partnerships and Programs at HP Inc, Mayank Dhingra, Senior Education Business Leader at HP Inc, Daniele Mason, Director Global Communications Sustainable Impact at HP Inc, and Jitka Tomkova Education & Digital Equity Program Manager at HP Inc, Alena Kanabova Corporate Citizenship Lead for Accenture Slovakia, Gerardo Franco, Skills for Social Impact Western Europe Director at Microsoft and Peter Papso from the Ministry of Education – Slovakia were present to deliver inspiring sessions on digital equity, artificial intelligence, gaming as an opportunity for skill development and digital hubs as pillars of the community, providing our national movement representatives with invaluable expertise and insights, bringing innovative programs one step closer to implementation all across Europe.
The event also provided participants and partners with an introduction to YMCA Europe’s Digital Ecosystem, an innovative approach to the interwoven dynamics of digital technology and community service.
The Digital Ecosystem will serve as a foundation for our movements’ development of solutions, ensuring constant dialogue and actualization of programs in order to best suit each YMCA’s national and local context.
The “From Ideas to Actions: Digital Hubs, Gaming and Community Impact” event was a significant step toward bridging the gap between technology and community development. By bringing together YMCA representatives and industry experts, the event fostered collaboration, knowledge sharing, and strategic planning for digital inclusion.
The insights gained from esteemed speakers, coupled with the introduction of YMCA Europe’s Digital Ecosystem, have laid the groundwork for transformative initiatives that will empower youth and strengthen communities across Europe.
As national movements integrate the learnings into their local contexts, the impact of digital education, gaming, and innovation will continue to grow, ensuring a more inclusive and connected future for all.
This event is part of an ongoing series that strengthens our collaboration with HP Inc. The next gathering will take place in Lutsk, Ukraine, from 28 February to 3 March 2025.
Now, in addition to leveraging the HP technology via HP HOPE and business skills content via HP LIFE platform, YMCA will implement HP Gaming Garage solution, a leading educational gaming and creation program designed to foster skills in programming, design, and prototyping.
By accessing the Professional Esports Management and Game Development certificate courses, youngsters will have access to transferable skills for future jobs in Business, Media and ICT sectors. Designed by leading university professors for HP Inc and hosted on edX, HP Gaming Garage offers free access to 82 modules, available in English with subtitles in 11 additional languages.
Event photo album
