From 28 March to 1 April 2026, YMCA leaders gathered in Italy for the European Sport Seminar (VAPS), supported by Erasmus+. The event brought together participants from Italy, Finland, Kosovo, Serbia, Sweden, Ukraine, and Denmark.
This European Sport YMCA (ESY) initiative built on prior gatherings, such as the first VAPS training in Denmark, to empower young leaders in creating inclusive sports experiences.
The seminar in Siderno focused on value-based leadership, inclusion, and the role of sport in YMCA.
Through a combination of workshops, physical activities, and participant-led sessions, participants gained practical tools and exchanged experiences to strengthen their local work.
Diverse International Collaboration
VAPS brought together YMCA volunteers from Denmark, Sweden, Ukraine, Kosovo, Serbia, Finland, and Italy — around 25 participants in total, mirroring the scale of earlier events.
These young facilitators, aged primarily 18-30, engaged in hands-on sessions blending sports, cultural exchange, and skill-building. Siderno’s YMCA, founded in 1947 with over 500 members and a rich history in youth basketball and community programs, provided the perfect backdrop with its facilities and welcoming spirit.
Core Activities and Focus Areas
The program kicked off with sports, sharing, and fun activities right from the first morning, as captured in live updates. Participants tackled playful sports role-playing games designed to boost engagement for all youth, regardless of ability — a hallmark of VAPS’s versatility approach.
Sessions emphasized team-building, inclusive facilitation techniques, and adapting sports for diverse groups, fostering personal growth and cross-cultural bonds.
Daily challenges encouraged reflection on how “versatile” activities make sports safe, fun, and accessible, aligning with YMCA Europe’s broader goals in youth work and Erasmus+ projects
Host Spotlight: YMCA Siderno’s Legacy
As a key player in Calabria’s youth scene, YMCA Siderno has hosted international exchanges for decades, including European basketball championships and summer camps like YMCA Village. Their expertise in promoting physical, moral, and spiritual growth amplified VAPS, turning the event into a hub for learning, connection, and inspiration.
Impact and Lasting Echoes
By the close, participants hailed it as a “fantastic week” of collaboration, with one wrap-up noting a “circle that closes, but actually stays open within us.” The event strengthened YMCA networks across Europe, equipping volunteers to replicate inclusive models back home — from Ukraine’s resilience efforts to Nordic sports innovations.
VAPS underscores sport’s power as a tool for empathy, leadership, and community building, with ripple effects promised for future youth programs.
From my side, I can add that the program was a great combination of practice and theory, with very valuable workshops from the instructors and an opportunity to learn more about other YMCAs. It truly felt that sport is an integral part of our organization. Many ideas really resonated with me. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be among such wonderful people who bring important values to society. – Karyna Bakunova, participant of the seminar from YMCA Ukraine.
The programme combined theoretical sessions with plenty of practical work: participants explored values-based leadership, inclusion and the role of sport within the YMCA, as well as taking part in physical activities, inclusive exercises and even creating their own games.
