From 3–5 July, YMCA Moldova hosted a three-day Organisational Health Assessment (HA) process in Chișinău, bringing together a diverse group of leaders committed to strengthening the organisation for the future.
The process was facilitated by Alina Pop, Organisational Development Director at YMCA Europe, and brought together Board members, the National General Secretary, one Board member, five staff members, and four volunteers actively involved in YMCA Moldova’s programmes and projects. Working together ensured that different perspectives were heard and that the assessment reflected the organisation as a whole.
This work is part of the Stronger Ys Programme, implemented through the partnership between YWCA-YMCA Sweden and YMCA Europe, where YMCA Europe serves as the technical partner supporting national YMCAs in completing their Organisational Health Assessments and translating the findings into long-term organisational development.
The YMCA Annual Organisational Health Assessment, developed jointly by the World Alliance of YMCAs and the Area Alliances, is a global self-assessment framework that helps National Movements evaluate their organisational sustainability and identify priorities for future development.
It examines key areas of organisational life, including governance, financial sustainability, strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, youth participation, communications, policies, property management, and staff and volunteer development.
This framework creates a structured space for honest, evidence-based reflection, enabling organisations to recognise both their strengths and the areas where further development is needed.
Over the three days, the YMCA Moldova leaders followed a carefully designed facilitation process that moved from building a shared understanding of the organisation, to conducting an honest diagnosis, and finally interpreting what the findings mean for YMCA Moldova’s future development. Discussions focused on evidence rather than perceptions, encouraging open dialogue between governance, management, staff and volunteers.
Beyond completing the assessment itself, the process strengthened collaboration across different leadership roles and created a shared understanding of the organisation’s current reality.
The completed Health Assessment will now be reviewed by YMCA Europe, providing the basis for the next stage: the development of an Organisational Development Plan (ODP).
Owned by YMCA Moldova, this plan will define the organisation’s priorities for strengthening its capacity and sustainability in the years ahead.
YMCA Europe is grateful to the YMCA Moldova team for their openness, professionalism and willingness to engage in honest reflection. Strong organisations are built not only through successful programmes, but also through the courage to continuously learn, adapt and grow.
We are also sincerely grateful to YWCA-YMCA Sweden for its continued investment in Strengthening National Movements across Europe through the Stronger Ys Programme.
By supporting organisational capacity development and partnering closely with YMCA Europe, YWCA-YMCA Sweden is helping create stronger, more sustainable YMCAs that are better equipped to serve their communities and fulfil their mission for years to come.
This collaboration is a great example of how working together across the global YMCA movement creates lasting impact.
