YMCA Europe invites National Movements to express their interest in hosting a future YMCA Europe General Assembly, with the possibility to apply for 2027, 2028 and/or 2029.
Deadline for 2027: 25.10.2026
The YMCA Europe General Assembly 2027 is taking place between 6th and 9th May 2027.
The General Assembly is one of the key events in the life of YMCA Europe. It brings together delegates from across the European YMCA movement for governance, strategic dialogue, learning, connection and the strengthening of our shared European identity.
Hosting the General Assembly is therefore becoming a partner in creating a safe, accessible, well-organised and meaningful European YMCA experience.
What does it mean to host?
A successful host combines place, people, organisational capacity and local engagement.
National Movements considering an application should assess their capacity to support the full event cycle: preparation, coordination, delivery and follow-up.
This includes the ability to provide or coordinate:
- suitable plenary, workshop, meeting and evening programme spaces;
- safe, appropriate and accessible accommodation;
- reliable technical infrastructure and Wi-Fi;
- catering for participants with different dietary requirements;
- local transport solutions;
- accessibility for participants with different mobility and communication needs;
- a dedicated and reliable local coordination team;
- local cultural and community experiences;
- environmentally responsible event practices;
- local partnerships, institutional engagement and opportunities for host contributions;
- coordination with YMCA Europe before and throughout the event;
- implementation of relevant YMCA Europe policies, host policies and national legislation;
- appropriate YMCA Europe branding and agreed co-branding throughout the event.
The YMCA Europe Minimum Hosting Standards provide the complete framework and should be carefully reviewed before submitting an application. Please find the full document here: YMCA Europe Policy Papers > Minimum Hosting Standards.pdf
What are we looking for?
Proposals will be considered in relation to the YMCA Europe Minimum Hosting Standards and the overall feasibility of the proposed event. Applicants are encouraged to identify both their strengths and the areas that would still need to be developed or negotiated. A realistic proposal is more useful than one that overpromises.
Particular attention will be given to:
- Standards and readiness: the extent to which the proposal meets or can credibly meet the Minimum Hosting Standards;
- Accessibility: international travel connections, local transport, physical accessibility and an inclusive participant experience;
- Organisational capacity: the availability of a committed local team and the capacity to work consistently with YMCA Europe throughout the planning and delivery process;
- Financial feasibility and host contribution: realistic costs, opportunities for preferential rates, local support, sponsorship or in-kind contributions, and the overall value offered by the proposal;
- Participant experience: quality of accommodation, food, meeting facilities, technical infrastructure, social spaces and the overall event environment;
- Local and cultural added value: opportunities to connect participants with the host YMCA, local community, culture and context;
- Sustainability and responsibility: practical approaches to reducing the environmental impact of the event.
Which year can you apply for?
National Movements may express interest in hosting the General Assembly in 2027 | 2028 | 2029.
Applicants may indicate one preferred year or more than one possible year. Where more than one year is proposed, please indicate your order of preference and any factors affecting availability.
This multi-year call will help YMCA Europe plan ahead while giving National Movements the opportunity to identify the year that best matches their organisational capacity and local circumstances.
How to apply?
National Movements wishing to be considered should complete the General Assembly Hosting Proposal Form. The form is designed both as an application and as a practical self-assessment tool. We recommend completing it together with the people who would be involved in delivering the event locally, rather than treating it only as an administrative application.
Where possible, applicants should provide concrete information, indicative costs, links, photographs, venue specifications or other supporting information.
If an element is not yet confirmed, please say so and explain how it could be addressed.
What happens after submission?
YMCA Europe will review proposals against the Minimum Hosting Standards and prepare a comparative assessment where relevant. Proposals will be presented to the YMCA Europe Executive Committee for decision-making. YMCA Europe may request additional information, clarification, interviews or virtual/site visits before a final decision is made.
Once a preferred host is identified and selected, YMCA Europe and the National Movement will enter a negotiation and planning phase to clarify the detailed division of responsibilities, budget, risk management and contingency arrangements.
The final commitments will be confirmed through a written agreement between YMCA Europe and the selected host.
Hosting a YMCA Europe General Assembly is a significant commitment and also an opportunity to bring the European YMCA movement into your national and local context, mobilise your communities and partners, showcase your work, and contribute directly to a memorable shared European experience.
We are looking forward to receiving your proposal!
Application deadline for the 2027 GA: 25.10.2026
Contact for questions: info[at]ymcaeurope.com
Submission form: https://wkf.ms/3Ur5bOy
