Despite the immense challenges Ukraine continues to face, YMCA’s Digital Hubs have become safe and hopeful spaces where young people, families and educators build skills, confidence and connection.
Through the HP Digital Equity initiative, YMCA Ukraine has developed a powerful national network of 17 Digital Hubs, each adapting to the needs of its community while contributing to a shared vision: ensuring that every person has access to the digital tools and knowledge needed to thrive.
While every hub plays a meaningful role, several stood out in Q4 (August–October 2025) for their innovative approaches, growing participation and community impact.
Highlighted Hubs Creating Remarkable Impact
YMCA Kharkiv – Rebuilding Confidence Through Digital Learning
Located in a city deeply affected by the conflict, YMCA Kharkiv continued to deliver weekly digital-skills sessions for young people and adults. Participants described the hub as a place where they feel safe, supported and motivated to learn.
The team reported strong improvements in digital confidence, especially among vulnerable youth who had limited access to devices or online learning tools.
YMCA Odesa – Innovation Through Creativity and New Learning Formats
In Odesa, digital education continued to flourish. A standout Q4 achievement was the launch of a Minecraft educational server used to teach collaboration, safe online behaviour and problem-solving.
The hub also strengthened partnerships with local youth groups, extending access to multiple neighbourhoods and increasing participation across programmes focused on digital literacy and online safety.
YMCA Ternopil – A Mobile Hub Reaching Underserved Communities
YMCA Ternopil operated its Mobile Digital Hub, bringing laptops, learning tools and guided sessions directly to villages and communities with limited digital access.
The programme offered families and young people new opportunities to engage with technology — from basic digital skills to tools useful for education, job readiness and personal development.
YMCA Zhytomyr – Supporting Youth and Teachers in Digital Education
Zhytomyr delivered a strong mix of English classes, digital literacy sessions and structured support for teachers learning to adapt to online teaching methods.
Participants highlighted the welcoming environment and the practical skills they gained, helping them navigate schoolwork, communication and modern digital platforms more independently.
YMCA Nyzhne Selyshche (Khust) – Expanding weAccess Through a New Library-Based Hub
YMCA Nyzhne Selyshche relocated its Digital Hub to the Central Public Library of Khust, significantly expanding daily access to laptops and digital tools for community members of all ages.
The new location enabled constant open-door access and attracted new audiences, including the “Rodyna” Club — a group of older internally displaced women who began using the hub for essential digital tasks, communication and learning.
Young people continued to use the space for exam preparation, photo and video editing, creative media projects and film discussions.
This transition strengthened digital inclusion in the community and demonstrated how relocating a hub can meaningfully broaden access, visibility and impact.
YMCA Kyiv – Strengthening Early Learning and Community Support through Modern Educational Tools
YMCA Kyiv focuses on preschool and primary-school children, creating an engaging and supportive environment where the youngest participants develop confidence and essential skills. Through interactive English lessons, Me and the World classes, and logic-based learning sessions, children explore language, creativity and problem-solving in a playful, age-appropriate way.
Beyond educational activities, the improved digital capacity of the organisation also supports the coordination of Christmas in the Box, a major social initiative that delivers personalized gifts to children from war-affected communities. Better tools allow the team to manage data, logistics and communication more efficiently, ensuring timely and thoughtful support for those who need it most.
A National Network of 17 Digital Hubs
While Kharkiv, Odesa, Ternopil and Zhytomyr recorded particularly dynamic activity in Q4, they are part of a much larger national effort.
Ukraine is now home to a network of 17 YMCA Digital Hubs, including:
YMCA Ukraine (National Office)
YMCA Kharkiv
YMCA Odesa
YMCA Ternopil
YMCA Zhytomyr
YMCA Boyarka
YMCA Poltava
YMCA Kremenchuk
YMCA Nyzhne Selyshche (Khust)
Volyn YMCA
YMCA Zaporizhzhia Region
YMCA Zdolbuniv
YMCA-Kids
YMCA Kirovohrad Region (2 locations)
YMCA Kyiv
YMCA Karpaty
YMCA Lviv
Each hub delivers activities tailored to local needs — from open-access computer hours to targeted digital-skills workshops, creative sessions, online safety education and teacher support.
Together, they form one of the strongest and most active YMCA digital-skilling networks in Europe.
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Building Digital Equity and Strengthening Communities
Across all locations, several key themes emerged in 2025:
● Digital empowerment for youth, families and educators
● Safe learning environments where people can reconnect and rebuild confidence
● Creative approaches such as gaming-based learning and mobile outreach
● Resilience and inclusion, especially for displaced or vulnerable groups
● Strong collaboration with schools, community groups and local authorities
The 17 Ukrainian Digital Hubs continue to demonstrate how technology and community support can transform lives — even in the most challenging times.
