Empowering young people and communities to be and to lead the change they want to see

Founded in 1855, the World YMCA supports every YMCA in the world, in over 100 countries. Join our global movement.

Get involved!

12,000

local YMCA branches

90,000

YMCA staff

920,000

YMCA volunteers

65 million people

reached every year

Our latest news

YMCA eDU Hubs powered by Accenture connect communities

17 March 2024

Read full story

YMCA National General Secretaries meet in Kosovo

06 March 2024

Read full story

Vision 2030 was adopted at the 20th World Council, in Aarhus, Denmark, in July 2022

Vision 2020 Logo

Worldwide, our community has adopted one mission:

To empower young people and communities worldwide to build a just, sustainable, equitable and inclusive world, where every person can thrive in body, mind and spirit.

Learn more

There are 1.2 billion young people in the world aged 15-24

This is how we support them, and their communities:

Community Wellbeing

We nurture young people in body, mind and spirit.

Community Wellbeing
Community Wellbeing
This matters because...

1 in 7

young people aged 5-19 worldwide experience a mental health disorder

UN/WHO

Meaningful Work

We support worthwhile jobs and sustainable livelihoods.

Two women talking
Meaningful Work
This matters because...

264 million

young people aged 15-24 are not in education, employment or training (two-thirds are girls and women)

UN/ILO

Sustainable Planet

We channel young people's commitment to climate justice and sustainability

A group of people planting trees
Sustainable Planet
This matters because...

1 billion

children and young people worldwide are at ‘very high risk’ of the impacts of the climate crisis

UNICEF

Just World

Young people demand justice. We amplify youth voices and actions in communities.

Community
Just World
This matters because...

400 million

children worldwide face discrimination because of their ethnicity or religion

Save the Children

Features: Read how we're making an impact

Norris Pritam: A YMCA story of sports and inspiration

01 February 2024

Read full story

Campaign for microplastic reduction

18 January 2024

Read full story

University YMCA in Seoul: Climate action

20 December 2023

Read full story
Two smiling people

YMCA Storer Camps welcome young people worldwide

24 August 2023

Read full story

Where we make our impact

We are in 120 countries. Find your National Movement:

YMCA Africa

Regional HQ (Area Alliance)

Nairobi, Kenya

National Movements:

17

View all countries
YMCA Presence in Africa

YMCA Asia Pacific

Regional HQ (Area Alliance)

Hong Kong

National Movements

24

View all countries
YMCA Presence in Asia Pacific

YMCA Europe

Regional HQ (Area Alliance)

Brussels, Belgium

National Movements

37

View all countries
YMCA Presence in Europe

YMCA Latin America & Caribbean

Regional HQ (Area Alliance)

Cancun, Mexico

National Movements

25

View all countries
YMCA Presence in Latin America

YMCA Middle East

National or Local Movements

6

View all countries and associations
YMCA presence in the middle east

YMCA North America

National Movements

2

View all countries
YMCA Presence in North America