Over the past year, YMCA Romania’s Digital Hubs have grown into a nationwide network of 9–11 hubs, including fixed locations and a mobile unit reaching underserved communities across cities such as Baia Mare, Bucharest, Cluj, Arad, and beyond.
Between November 2025 and January 2026 alone, the hubs reached over 9,500 participants, spanning ages 10 to 75, through both in-person and online activities. This intergenerational approach has created inclusive spaces where young people, adults, and seniors learn side by side, by accelerating Digital Equity in the country.
Reaching Thousands, Changing Lives
Between November 2025 and January 2026 alone, YMCA Romania reached:
- Over 9,500 participants across all activities
- More than 9,000 people through in-person digital learning
- Hundreds more through online programming
Participants ranged from young people discovering technology for the first time to seniors building essential digital confidence, creating truly intergenerational learning environments.
From Access to Empowerment
The Digital Hubs go far beyond providing access to technology—they create meaningful pathways for personal and professional growth.
Across the network, participants engaged in:
- Digital literacy and online safety training
- Creative skills, including graphic design, digital storytelling, and content creation
- 3D printing and hands-on innovation workshops
- Coding and computational thinking sessions
- Media literacy and critical thinking programmes
These activities are designed not just to teach skills, but to build confidence, creativity, and independence.
As one hub reported, many participants—especially those with limited prior exposure to technology—experienced a significant boost in confidence, enabling them to communicate online, access services, and apply for jobs independently.
Preparing Young People for the Future of Work
A key focus of the programme is equipping young people with skills for the digital economy.
Throughout the year, YMCA Romania delivered targeted employability programmes, including:
- CV-building workshops using Europass tools
- Career exploration and personal development sessions
- Workshops on digital identity and online presence
These initiatives helped young people translate their experiences into professional opportunities while building self-awareness and confidence for future career paths.
In parallel, volunteers also strengthened their digital competencies through training in areas such as content creation, online facilitation, and digital outreach, allowing them to actively contribute to community initiatives.
Inclusion at the Core
One of the defining strengths of the Romania Digital Hubs is their commitment to inclusion.
The programme has successfully reached:
- Young people in rural and underserved communities
- Older adults with limited digital experience
- Refugees and displaced individuals, including those continuing support online after returning to Ukraine
The introduction of the mobile digital hub has been particularly impactful, bringing technology and learning directly to communities with limited access.
A Space for Creativity, Connection, and Growth
Across all locations, the hubs have become more than training centres—they are community spaces where learning, creativity, and connection come together.
Participants are not only gaining skills but also:
- Collaborating across generations
- Contributing to local initiatives through digital content
- Building confidence to participate actively in society
This shift—from users of technology to active digital citizens—is at the heart of the programme’s impact.
A Catalyst for Long-Term Change
With demand continuing to rise, YMCA Romania’s Digital Hubs are set to expand their reach, deepen employability-focused programmes, and bring more opportunities to underserved communities through both fixed and mobile hubs.
What began as an effort to improve access to technology has grown into a powerful platform for inclusion, confidence-building, and real-world opportunity. Across the country, thousands of people are not only gaining digital skills—they are becoming active participants in their communities and the digital economy.
This progress has been made possible through the strong partnership with HP, whose support in equipment, funding, and learning resources has enabled these hubs to grow and thrive.
Together, they are not just closing the digital divide—they are opening doors to a more inclusive and empowered future.
