Bringing Digital Learning to Underserved Communities: YMCA Serbia’s Mobile Hub Initiative
Last year, digital programs for children and young people were piloted by YMCA Serbia, offering workshops on coding, courses, digital wellbeing, and safety and AI within the YMCA space.
For the second phase of the project, a broader approach to digital initiatives has been adopted by our colleagues in Serbia.
It has been realized that by making the digital community hub mobile, more young people, children, and educators in need of services can be reached. The strategic plan for the project is to spread awareness about this opportunity to schools in the Vojvodina region of Northern Serbia, where communities are diverse and underserved.
This year, the aim is to reach 10 schools, impacting thousands of children who, thanks to HP and YMCA, will gain access to technology and non-formal learning methods within the school environment.
It has been recognized that this digital community hub serves as a gateway to boundless opportunities for growth, learning, and connection. It’s a safe space where knowledge transforms into action, where every click can lead to positive change in the community.
As shared by a teacher at one of the schools, “Mobile YMCA opens doors to different possibilities for growth, learning, and connection. It’s a safe space where knowledge meets action, empowering every individual to make a positive impact on our community.”
The teacher also mentioned that she knew about YMCA Serbia in Bački Petrovac, but due to the distance from her town, regular participation was impossible. The initiative of HP and YMCA’s mobile hub came in handy for her and her students.
“It was a very interesting way to find out that we actually know a lot about online safety and AI, yet we are not aware of its presence in our everyday life” remarked a 13-year-old participant at digital sessions.
Another student, aged 10, expressed enthusiasm for future learning experiences: “We had great discussions about technology with our classmates and Anna from YMCA and look forward to it again sometime”.
With such engagement and feedback, confidence is instilled that efforts to enhance digital literacy and foster a safe online environment are making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people in the community.
Digital Community Hubs in the West Balkans is a YMCA initiative, powered by HP to accelerate digital equity in the regions, by helping YMCAs in Kosovo, Albania, Serbia, and North Macedonia to expand existing or create new digital community hubs.
The project aims to expand existing digital hubs and create new ones to enable young people, including those from marginalized communities, teachers, and youth workers, to access greater opportunities for education and employment.
