Digital Empowerment: YMCA Europe scale AI Learning with Microsoft and Founderz / Expanding AI across the YMCA Movement
When Youth Ask About AI, Will We Be Ready? A New Course for YMCA Teams
AI is already shaping the lives, opportunities, and risks that young people face every day – YMCA staff, leaders, and volunteers need the skills and confidence to guide them through it. This updated Introduction to AI course is the tool to build that understanding, control, and leadership across the YMCA movement.
What began as a collaboration experiment between YMCA Europe, Microsoft and Founderz has now grown into a long-term partnership for digital empowerment.
Earlier this year, the first edition of the course brought together hundreds of YMCA staff, volunteers and youth leaders across Europe to explore how AI can support their daily work and mission. The response was clear: there is a strong appetite for practical, accessible AI learning that speaks the language of youth work and community action.
“We’re thrilled to join forces with YMCA across Europe to empower youth workers and volunteers with the skills they need to thrive in the AI economy. Through Microsoft Elevate, we’re putting people at the heart of innovation—ensuring technology is at the service of humanity and its future generations. As AI reshapes how we work, live, and learn, we believe it’s vital to equip youth with the right tools and knowledge so they can lead confidently into the future. Together, we’re building opportunities that turn potential into impact.” Gerardo Franco, AI Skills Director, Southern Europe, Middle East & Africa, Microsoft Elevate
This success set the foundation for something bigger – a shared commitment to scale AI learning across the YMCA movement so that every local YMCA has people who understand and can confidently use these tools. The renewed and updated version of the course is the next step in that journey.
Why AI understanding is now essential
AI is already present in education, employment, social media, public services and entertainment. Young people experience its impact every day – often without fully realising it. If YMCA people do not understand how AI works, they cannot fully protect, guide or empower the youth they serve. They risk being reactive instead of proactive in a world where digital decisions are made at high speed.
“At Founderz, we believe AI literacy is essential for empowering communities. Through our partnership with YMCA and Microsoft, we’re delivering practical, responsible AI skills to thousands of youth workers and volunteers. Together, we’re shaping a future where technology amplifies impact and inclusion across the YMCA movement.” Teresa Carvalho, Head of Learning Founderz
By taking this course, YMCA staff, leaders and volunteers gain a better understanding and control over this topic. They learn how AI systems work, what they can and cannot do, and how to use them responsibly. This enables them to:
- Turn AI from a source of anxiety into a practical tool for mission-driven work.
- Model critical thinking and responsible use of AI for young people rather than leaving them alone with it.
- Spot the risks and opportunities of AI in programmes, projects and everyday interactions.
Built by YMCA people, for YMCA people
One of the defining features of the updated course is how deeply it is shaped by YMCA realities. Experts from Microsoft, learning designers from Founderz and practitioners from YMCA organisations across Europe have worked together to ensure that the content reflects real needs on the ground.
The course is not theoretical or abstract – it is anchored in the daily work of YMCA teams.
“AI is already shaping the world our young people are growing up in. This course gives YMCA staff, leaders and volunteers the confidence to understand it, use it for good and stand beside young people as trusted guides, not spectators.” Juan Simoes Iglesias, Secretary General YMCA Europe
The programme covers AI fundamentals, everyday tools and prompt-writing skills, and it is packed with YMCA-specific examples such as:
- Planning and running camps and youth centres more efficiently
- Supporting sports and educational programmes with smarter workflows
- Improving communications, storytelling and social media outreach
- Improving administration, applications, reporting, and outreach
The goal is simple: to make AI understandable, accessible and useful for people who work with and for communities, no matter their starting level.
Accessible, practical and free
To make this learning opportunity available to the entire YMCA movement, the course is:
- Fully online, so participants can join from anywhere on desktop or mobile.
- Short, modular, video-based, designed to fit into busy schedules.
- Free of charge for YMCA staff, volunteers and leaders.
Participants also receive an official Microsoft Achievement Badge upon completion, which recognises their effort and adds value to their professional profile. For organisations, this makes it easy to encourage teams to enrol and to demonstrate a clear investment in staff development.
A challenge to all YMCAs
The world is not waiting for us to catch up with AI. Those who understand and use it are already shaping the systems and spaces that young people move through every day. The YMCA has a choice: watch this transformation from the sidelines, or step forward and ensure that youth work remains relevant, protective and empowering in a digital age.
This course is not about turning YMCA staff into tech experts. It is about giving them enough understanding and control to use AI for good – and to teach young people to do the same.
The challenge to every YMCA is clear:
- Enrol your staff, leaders and volunteers.
- Make AI understanding part of how you serve young people.
- Turn uncertainty about AI into confidence, leadership and greater impact in your community.
The journey of digital empowerment has already started. This updated Introduction to Artificial Intelligence course is your next concrete step – for your team, for your organisation, and for the young people who trust you to help them navigate their future.
Explore the updated course here
