About YMCA

YMCA is the largest and oldest global youth movement. The first organization has been founded in 1844 by George Williams in London. Today there are about 30 million members in more than 130 countries of the world.

YMCA-Lviv is a part of the World YMCA Alliance and a member of European YMCA Alliance.

The primary goal of YMCA-Lviv is to reach physical mental and spiritual perfection of youth based on equality, peace and social justice. In particular, YMCA-Lviv focuses on the initiatives of socially vulnerable categories – people with special needs, IDP, war veterans/volunteers and their families. Organization programs are open to all and everyone regardless of race, gender and religion.

YMCA-Lviv registered on 5 November 2004 in Lviv. The opening of YMCA space in Lviv took place in 2016 with the support of the YMCA YWCA Aarhus (Denmark). Now the Lviv organization is supporting local partnerships with YMCA Calgary, YMCA Aarhus and YMCA Hong Kong.

Mission

YMCA-Lviv is building a secure and open space for human development based on the values of Christianity, individual rights safety, transparency, integrity, interreligious and intercultural dialogue, innovation, healthy lifestyle, beauty, harmony and creativity.

Vision

YMCA-Lviv empowers youth in post soviet local communities. Organization intends to establish a new intellectual, social and art concepts to facilitate a social change based on a synergy between all stakeholders.

Priorities

  • Building an inclusive, creative and self-determined space for young people

  • Empowering youth via informal education and social programs, with a special attention given to the socially vulnerable categories

  • Youth entrepreneurship

  • Establishing and promoting local, regional and international partnerships and exchanges

  • Responding to emergencies: a multi assistance provided to people who suffer from the military conflict on the eastern border of Ukraine or Crimea annexation (war veterans/volunteers and IDP)