YMCA Gard Pont d’Avignon, a long-standing youth centre in southern France, has recently expanded its digital capabilities thanks to a donation of 46 refurbished laptops received through the HP HOPE initiative.
The devices are already being set up by young leaders and will be made available to participants aged 12 to 25 through the organisation’s regular “M’Y CLUB” sessions.
These new tools will support a wide range of youth-focused activities, including professional inclusion and civic engagement programmes that assist with job shadowing, internship placements, volunteering, and opportunity searches.
The equipment will also be used in collaboration with local schools and to amplify youth voices through digital surveys, contributing to a community-wide diagnostic report that will inform future public policies and social actions.
Through platforms like HP LIFE and HP Gaming Garage, the hub will offer courses in digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and creative media – supporting future-of-work readiness and inclusion for those most in need. This new chapter will allow the centre to expand its impact by bridging the digital divide and empowering individuals with the skills to thrive in today’s digital world.
In addition, the laptops will enhance creative and cultural programming such as video production, photography, theatre, and event organisation – including e-sport festivals and sustainability-themed initiatives like the “Youth Without Borders” travel festival. Other uses include supporting youth mobility, promoting diversity, and helping partner organisations design communication materials and digital resources.
The project marks a major step forward in strengthening digital equity and access for young people in the region, while further enabling YMCA Gard Pont d’Avignon to play a key role in community development and youth empowerment.
YMCA Europe is committed to promoting social justice and equity for all, including access to digital technology and resources. We run several digital equity projects aimed at reducing the digital divide and providing disadvantaged communities across Europe with access to essential digital resources. Our focus is on promoting digital inclusion and improving digital skills among young people and young adults from marginalised communities. YMCA digital hubs, supported by HP, offer training courses, workshops, and resources to help young people develop digital competencies and enhance their employability.
