YMCA Europe attended the 9th European Civil Protection Forum in Brussels on 3–4 November 2026 to bring our network’s perspectives into discussions on crisis preparedness and find practical ways to support our members.

Organised by the European Commission’s civil protection and humanitarian aid department, DG ECHO, the Forum brought together public authorities, researchers, civil society, volunteer firefighters and emergency services. Marking 25 years of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, it included a dedicated Youth Agenda with 100 young delegates.

Why preparedness matters

Floods, wildfires, war and cyberattacks can disrupt everyday life and essential services. The EU’s Preparedness Union Strategy responds to these growing and connected risks by involving the whole of society in preparing for emergencies, alongside public authorities and emergency services.

At the Forum, Commissioner Hadja Lahbib presented new population preparedness guidelines covering 72-hour self-sufficiency, preparedness education, disability-inclusive preparedness and communicating risks and threats. Her message was to be “alert, not alarmed; prepared, not afraid”, with everyone included and young people actively involved.

One message heard at the Forum captured the purpose: “You can’t avoid natural disasters, but you can avoid catastrophes.” Understanding local risks and knowing how to act can reduce harm and help emergency services focus on those who need them most.

What YMCA brings

As an umbrella organisation, YMCA Europe connects European discussions with local youth work. We participated in workshops, shared perspectives from our network and spoke with stakeholders about how youth centres can contribute. We also heard directly from researchers, public authorities, volunteer firefighters and emergency units.

Our contribution includes trusted community relationships, youth spaces, volunteer networks and non-formal education methods. Our experience in humanitarian response, refugee and migrant inclusion and supporting wellbeing can help preparedness activities reach people who face barriers to information and support. Specialist partners can bring the civil protection expertise needed to develop this work.

This work is already taking shape through AMPLIFY, a Horizon Europe project in which YMCA Europe will co-host a Pan-European Creative Hub for youth camps with the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre. Camp leaders and young people will explore local risks and develop creative, practical ways to strengthen preparedness.

As another message from the Forum put it, “We should consider youth an active co-worker to community safety and resilience.” Young people can help shape activities, share reliable information and contribute through organised volunteering.

Practical resources for you

We identified resources that members can explore and adapt to local risks, languages and age groups:

• Feel Safe from Save the Children Italy, including a digital educational game about recognising risks and responding safely.
• Lëtz prepare, Luxembourg’s practical 72-hour guide, checklist and personal emergency plan; Romania’s Fii Pregătit platform and crisis guide; and Sweden’s In case of crisis or war brochure.
• The PrepCap System, for organisations assessing social vulnerability and preparedness capacity.
• The Serious Games Corner, including RESILIAGE’s Psychological First Aid Card Game for first responders, with exercises on emotional self-regulation and supportive communication.

 You can find more board games related to this here.

Turning learning into local opportunities

YMCA Europe will explore initiatives that bring preparedness into youth centre activities and develop relationships with specialist partners. Possible starting points for local YMCAs include training youth workers, using educational games and connecting young people with local civil protection services.

Digital skills are also essential for recognising misinformation and avoiding cyber threats. We will continue strengthening digital skills across our network in 2027, exploring links with preparedness. Through practical resources and new partnerships, we aim to help members build safer communities and establish YMCA as an active partner in population preparedness.

Photo credit for European Union images: © European Union 2026.