YMCA Europe is developing a new partnership with UNESCO-UNEVOC following a meeting held in Bonn last week. The discussion focused on practical areas of cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), with a shared objective: improving how young people access skills and transition into employment.
The visit to the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for TVET brought together representatives from HP Inc., Founderscope, YMCA Europe’s Communications and Partnerships team, and the UNESCO-UNEVOC leadership and programme officers, including Friedrich Huebler (Head of UNESCO-UNEVOC) and Priscilla Gatonye (Programme Officer, Inclusion and Youth Employability).
UNESCO-UNEVOC is UNESCO’s specialised centre for TVET. It supports countries in strengthening vocational education systems, with a focus on innovation, inclusion, and alignment with labour market needs, including digital and green transitions.
For YMCA, the partnership connects institutional expertise with local delivery. Through its network of national YMCAs, programmes are implemented in community settings such as Digital Hubs, youth centres, and training spaces. These provide access to devices, structured learning, and guidance, particularly for young people with limited opportunities.
A first point of collaboration is World Youth Skills Day on 15 July, under the theme “Skills for a Shared Future.” YMCA Europe is coordinating a network-wide mobilisation across member organisations. Activities include local workshops, digital skills sessions, and awareness campaigns linked to employability and lifelong learning. Early registrations indicate broad engagement across the network, although final participation data will be confirmed after the campaign.
Another key area is the BeChangeMaker programme, a global accelerator for young social entrepreneurs. The programme has been run by WorldSkills International and will transition to YMCA Europe coordination from 2027, in collaboration with HP and UNESCO-UNEVOC. It supports young people in developing social impact projects through structured learning, mentoring, and access to international networks.
This cooperation aligns with YMCA’s focus on skills development, digital inclusion, and pathways to employment. The next phase will define concrete joint activities, delivery mechanisms, and measurable outcomes.
