Camp Europe: YMCA in the Czech Republic, Path to the Present

Path to the Present was the first residential camp organised by YMCA in the Czech Republic within the Camp Europe project framework. The Event took place between 08-12 July, 2024, at Starý Plzenec, Czechia and hosted 12 Ukrainian children and their Czech peers for 5-day long activity.

YMCA in the Czech Republic has been setting standards in creating creative camps focused on children’s skill and knowledge development, and, of course, this particular camp was no exception.

The theme of the camp was the Path to the Present. Children walked the evolutionary path from the Big Bang to modern Homo sapiens. Along the way they acquired science knowledge, worked on their creative skills and created beautiful memories.

The learning process was made more interesting with trips to the Dinopark and the zoo where children had an opportunity to learn more about ancient inhabitants of our planet – dinosaurs, followed by the visit to the Zoo where they met modern day animals. Activity helped them understand more about the topic and inspired them to work on their camp challenges and tasks with more confidence.

The camp challenged children with not only new knowledge, but also with different tasks such as crafting their own comics based on acquired information, creating evolutionary chains to illustrate long journeys from the Big Bang to Homo sapiens, and creating performance shows with no prior experience in acting.

It was amusing for the organizers to see how creatively little ones managed to approach the discussion around the divine and evolutionary matters and how well they comprehended this complex topic, and even managed to accomplish all the task with enthusiasm and creativity.

“It was incredibly interesting to see that in a friendly atmosphere the two versions do not have to disagree.“

Many different games – of creativity and flexibility, speed and strength – brought these children, who had not known each other until recently, together to form a united team. They shared all the happy moments and created new memories together while bow shooting, playing with a ball, swimming in the pool or solving quests at night with candles.

The camp is over, but the YMCA in the Czech Republic will be hosting four more activities within Camp Europe during summer 2024.

Generation Next 2.0. – YMCA Georgia

The second edition of YMCA Europe Generation Next project got off a very active start in Georgia. YMCA Georgia has identified and selected 9 participants that will be eligible for 2024-2025 scholarships in exchange for certain number of hours and general commitment to the activities of the organization throughout the year.

Reflecting the true nature of the Georgian society’s fabric, 6 Georgian, 2 Armenian and 1 Azerbaijani participants hailing from different regional and social backgrounds embarked on a journey that saw them attend two online induction meetings and engage in the series of residential activities implemented at YMCA Georgia “Camp Orange” in July – August 2024 period.

Online induction meetings served the purpose to better introduce the participants to each other and to the guidelines and requirements of the Generation Next project, as well as to jointly elaborate future action plans and ascribe specific tasks to each scholarship recipient during the upcoming activities.

Some of the project beneficiaries attended the “Young Leaders Training Camp” on July 24 – 31, 2024 that aimed to improve the leadership and communication skills of those present and to equip them with necessary skillset that is essential to become the leader of the organization. Each Generation Next scholarship recipient had specific tasks to complete and to demonstrate the eagerness and motivation to be a person that is capable to carry on the legacy created by the previous generation of leaders – showcasing the values of integrity, honesty, care and trust.

Soon after, “Multinational Georgia” camp brought together all nine Generation Next stipend recipients together with another 35 young people of ethnic Georgian, Armenian and Azerbaijani origin to spend one week full of immersion, integration and sharing together during August 08-14, 2024. The project aims to strengthen the ties between three major ethnicities living in Georgia via fostering the principles of understanding and support. As during the previous camp session, each project beneficiary had to carry out specific responsibilities previously assigned to them by the camp leadership team. Some of them facilitated the workshop sessions, while others took charge of leading quiz night, sports or cultural evening, etc.

Overall, the initial year of Generation Next has been a total success with a new edition of participants fully immersed into the program, grasping the significance of team work, collaboration and diversity.

The best is yet to come!

Roots Artsakh Exodus Response: START OVER, START UP Camp

Just as Americans eagerly wait for Thanksgiving and Europeans look forward to Easter, the youth of Artsakh wait all year for the annual YMCA camp. The Exodus of Artsakh forced Armenians to “start all over again,” leaving behind a whole life, except the annual YMCA summer camp, the tradition of which started back in 2017.

The “START OVER, START UP” camp reunited Artsakh youth in the “Tsitsernak” (“Swallow”) campsite in Vanadzor from July 4 to July 11, 2024. This camp is a crucial step in YMCA Artsakh’s mission to support them as they rebuild their lives. Due to the support from YMCA Europe and Armenians Unified, a non-profit dedicated to improving lives in Armenia, YMCA Artsakh hosted around 170 young people and nearly 30 guests.

Beyond summer fun, “START OVER, START UP” addressed the critical issues facing displaced Artsakh youth, whose world has been upended by basic needs and heavy psychological burdens. The camp bridged this gap for these young people in an unfamiliar town, offering essential support, motivation, and coaching to help them thrive in their new reality. It reinforced their sense of belonging and empowered them by building some capacity to make them competitive for the job market to build a positive future and contribute to developing the society.

The camp facilitators divided participants into four groups to ensure a productive and focused environment. Each group spent their day with a dedicated trainer who guided their activities and instilled valuable and productive skills. The camp wasn’t just about fun and games as means of non-formal education (though there definitely was some of that too).

The participants had various training sessions targeted at arming them with some basic knowledge on developing business ideas and empowering them to start one to earn their living. These sessions focused on general knowledge and practical skills essential for their personal and professional growth: basics of developing a business/start-up idea and a business plan, Armenian market navigation, organisational development, and even cultural identity preservation.

But it wasn’t all theory – to ignite their entrepreneurial spirit. The camp was meticulously planned to be interactive and engaging, ensuring participants walked away with a comprehensive toolkit for navigating their new reality – from immediate needs to long-term success. There was a dynamic idea-pitching competition, which allowed these young minds to showcase their business understanding, with the winning teams receiving crucial financial support to turn their ideas into reality.

In addition to the empowering workshops, the camp prioritized the well-being of participants with a special session on the “Do No Harm” methodology framework. Artyom Dokholyan, a YMCA Europe Generation Next project intern and a YMCA scholarship holder at the American University of Armenia led a sensitive discussion focused on war-affected individuals. To understand the process of their recovery and current outlook, the campers were invited to participate in an “Ethics of Peace” survey aiming to gather information on their wartime experiences, emotional state, and current perspectives on conflict resolution.

The YMCA Artsakh camp outdid summertime amusement, forging lasting connections and fostering resilience. As the organizers have emphasized, since 2017, the camp builds a yearly “YMCA Artsakh Camp Family.” This year was not different. Young participants who first joined as campers years ago returned as leaders taking responsibility for the 2024 cohort.

Izabella Sargsyan reflected on the camp experience as a profound revelation: sorrow and joy co-exist. She realized that it’s possible to grieve and feel sorrow for her losses while also finding joy and having fun. The camp also served as a heartfelt reminder that Artsakh still exists and thrives through the vibrant spirit of its youth.

Written by Regina Grigoryan, YMCA Generation next Alumna

United by Sports & Culture: Polish – Ukrainian YMCA Camp

The United by Sports & Culture YMCA Summer Camp in Poland (7th -13th July), part of the Camp Europe program, was held in Olsztyn, a city known for its lakes and forests, 220 km north of Warsaw.

Organized together with Monsters Club Warszawa, a traditional partner of YMCA, the camp benefited 26 children from the long-term Polish-Ukrainian integration program.

The camp embraced the YMCA motto of “body-mind-spirit,” promoting balanced development. Many campers were already familiar with this approach through their participation in the integration program.

A key focus was on mental health, addressing war trauma among Ukrainian children and typical adolescent challenges for Polish children.

Each child received individual support, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment. The facilities, rented from Warmia-Mazury University, are known for their eco-friendly infrastructure.

The diverse camp program included daily sports and recreation, visits to science and innovation centers, the Olsztyn Planetarium, historic tours of Olsztyn, aqua training, English-language games, and various competitions and quizzes. These activities helped city children connect with nature and learn about rural life.

Professional staff and volunteers, including a child psychotherapist, ensured every child felt comfortable and included. Two younger camp leaders also demonstrated strong abilities in working with children. The motivated and cohesive YMCA program team in Poland continues to drive the initiative forward.

The camp significantly contributed to rebuilding the YMCA movement in Poland. Despite challenges like branding issues and financial constraints delaying formal registration, the organization remains active in Warsaw. We are close to completing this process, and the goal of a fully legal YMCA Poland is within reach.

This camp was co-financed by YMCA Europe from CAMP EUROPE PROJECT – within the framework of Roots for Peace programme.

THE 17TH ROOTS & NEXT QUARTERLY IS ISSUED

The latest edition of Roots & Next Quarterly, Issue #17, is now available, offering an in-depth retrospective of the events and activities that took place in April, May, and June 2024. This comprehensive report can be accessed in PDF format for your perusal.

Camp Europe 2024 Selection Process Finalised

Summer is here, and as the temperatures rise, the Camp Europe team also reaches the busiest (and exciting!) period of the year. After months of fundraising, planning, and strategizing, Camp Europe 2024 is ready to commence.

YMCA Europe has received 27 proposals from partner organisations all over Europe. Based on technical recommendations, the YMCA Europe Executive Staff Tasks Force approved funding for 17 camps in an official meeting. Out of these, 10 camps will be held in Ukraine, six in neighbouring countries, and one in Palestine.

With a total budget of 140,000 Euros, Camp Europe 2024 aims to enhance the summer experience for more than 740 direct beneficiaries.

To assist partner organizations and ensure the successful implementation of each camp, at this stage, the Camp Europe team is communicating with partner organizations to finalize grant applications and set up the process for project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation plan.

The team will follow up the process with additional communication regarding communication and media guidelines. Our aim, as the Camp Europe team, is to be part of every camp while giving partners full freedom to facilitate the project based on their vision, deal with day-to-day challenges with them, and then celebrate the success together – because at Camp Europe you are not alone.

Unfortunately, due to the lack of funds and high competition, several very strong applications were rejected due to not fully meeting the criteria; However, the good news is this is only the test year of the Camp Europe project.

A minimum of two more rounds of funding will be available for 2025-2026 years, therefore we encourage those who did not apply or did not get their applications approved this season to keep an eye on the updates and the next opportunity to join the Camp Europe family.

The first camp will commence on the 1st of July, followed by the rest of the camp throughout the rest of the summer. We encourage you to keep an eye on our activities, watch our news and read our empowering stories as the campaign will incorporate online fundraisers to secure the future of Camp Europe, and our common goal – establishing camping culture as one of the main youth activities designed not only for advancing young people’s physical abilities and creating beautiful memories, but for trauma healing and a sense of relief during hard days.

The team is working on securing more funding for the project, to provide more opportunities for interested parties. As a final note, exciting news, we are glad to be able to share, that as it was this year in Spain, we are already working on the next Campacity Conference 2025 which will take place on April 7-13, in Berlin.

Our gratitude to everyone who is creating Camp Europe, for their support and encouragement. Each contribution, kind word, shared experience and simple picture matters, and motivates us to keep going. Busy days are ahead, but we know we are not alone!

SHIFTING POWER IN PEACE

On June 5 – 6 the FriEnt Peacebuilding Forum 2024 took place in Berlin under the motto “Shifting Power in Peace”. It brought together hundreds of state and civil society representatives from all levels. The FriEnt (Working Group on Peace and Development) is an association of German governmental organizations, church development agencies, civil society networks, and political foundations. Once again, I was invited to the Forum, as representative of the international partner organization of the Brut for die Welt – one of the FriEnt eight members.

The Forum reaffirmed the commitment of peacebuilding communities to influence policy debates and strengthen peace narratives. It also provided great networking opportunities in a unique inclusive environment. The Forum underlined that the structural causes for the violent conflicts cannot be addressed with military means alone. Decisive action by the peacebuilding community and beyond is needed to build just peace. The YMCA remains committed member of this community.

Using the opportunity of being in Berlin, I also had a series of working meetings with our partner Brut for die Welt, including a specially organized plenary partner-talk on the YMCA Europe Roots for Peace. It was an honor having CVJM Germany International Secretary Gerhard Wiebe with me at that plenary. The working meetings were especially useful for the alignment of all the projects currently in process of implementation with Brut for die Welt funding partnership, namely: Roots for Peace, Camp Europe and Generation Next. There were also inspiring discussions about additional joint steps within or beyond those projects.

It was also great to have the chance of meeting with Leadership of CVJM Ostwerk (Alena Edler) and put the ground of the next Campacity to be held in Berlin, once again within the framework of our Camp Europe initiative. Tentative dates: April 7 – 13, 2025. There is clear enthusiasm within our German partners for hosting the event, and giving it that special touch that only Berlin can offer…

Yet the highlights of my visit to Berlin were the personal meetings and the time together with our Roots Peace Work Institute Alumni. It was such an honor and please to share the fellowship of our Mona Hein (PWI cohort 2) during the FriEnt Forum, yet especially witnessing her professional facilitation of one of its side-events at GIZ. What an impact story! The same goes to Syuzanna Galstyan (PWI cohort 3), spending good time as friends and colleagues always planning joint action together. It’s with Mona and Syuzanna, now as potential members of the Roots Expert Pool, that we are going to shift the power in peace.

Written by Vardan Hambardzumyan, YMCA Europe Executive Secretary

YMCA Camp Europe Campacity Conference 2024 in Spain

After months of planning and hard work, Campacity 2024 took place over April 15th-21st in Toledo, Spain at the Castillo de San Servando youth centre, with the support of the local government. We then moved across to YMCA Camp Priego and were hosted by YMCA Spain

The second “Campacity” Conference was a joint initiative of YMCA Europe & Y USA, hosted by YMCA Spain that aimed to:

Increase capacity of YMCA Camp Europe with human resources able to offer relevant and innovation-led ideas on forms and contents of camp programmes, whereby they are focused on trauma-healing or mental health, life-skills or resilience development, refugee rehabilitation or integration, conflict management and transformation, etc.
Build capacity for the YMCA Camping Movement to work with war affected young people and families in Europe – with a focus on, but not exclusively limited to Ukrainian IDPs
During one week of sessions, participants:

Strengthened their capacity as camp programme leaders to deliver relevant and innovative programs focused on trauma healing, development of life skills, conflict management & refugee integration;
Gained practical tools, skills and resources for camp management;
Became catalysts for deeper strategic cooperation within camping program in Europe;
Built a network of camp peers between Europe and the United States.

All this was made possible through a successful collaboration between the YMCA Europe and Y USA participants and by sharing the meaningful work each national or local YMCA does. 75 Participants (46% being female and 54% male) from 15 different countries came together motivated to learn and share, with the aim that united them all – love of camping and belief in it’s impact. As the team was diverse not only culturally, but also in terms of work, approaches and methodologies for accomplishing their goals, strategies, experience, and backgrounds, the team had an opportunity to explore different dimensions and share best practices, get inspired and create connections for future collaborations.

“Met amazing people, felt appreciated and valued for what I do and for everything that I am trying to do.”

The program was balanced with capacity-building sessions and cultural exposure time designed to help connect and create connections. Participants had the option to attend workshops for many cross cutting topics that play a crucial role in the creation of a successful camp such as strategy building, fundraising, partnerships, monitoring and evaluations just to name a few. Apart from this, they had an opportunity to learn about the Do No Harm methodology, as in today’s world, it is crucial to stay mindful of our actions, plans and projects.

Furthermore, the beauty of Campacity was equality which made the whole week more special. Everyone was given equal opportunities to share their work, culture and experiences. It is wonderful to see people coming together from different parts of the world and uniting around the same values, beliefs and goals for the betterment and strengthening of the YMCA and the camping culture.

“I hope to intentionally hold hands with all leaders here as we build better connections for increasing the capacity of camp impact worldwide.”

The Conference was hosted by YMCA Spain at Castillo de San Servando and Camp Priego. The team demonstrated amazing hospitality and great commitment to the project. The historical city of Toledo allowed participants to explore and connect, while Camp Priego created a sense of community and helped participants get back to their roots – camps.

As a final note, it needs to be mentioned how wonderful and empowering it is to see people working hard today with whatever means they have to create a better tomorrow, and Campacity demonstrated that even if we live thousands of kilometres away from each other, we are part of something bigger;

Campacity Conference 2024 was the beginning of a productive Summer 2024 which is promising various Camp Europe camps and activities to bring together more people and contribute to the cause and to the development of European Camps. Camp Europe 2024 Call for Applications is already open. Apart from this, the team has discussions regarding future plans for International gathering 2025 and various activities that will strengthen the Partnerships created during Campacity 2024. Therefore, here is a beautiful beginning of a strong collaboration and Camp Europe – so you are not alone.

“CAMP EUROPE” CALL FOR APPLICATIONS 2024

YMCA Europe is announcing a second round of funding opportunities within the framework of its “Camp Europe” Initiative.

INTRODUCTION
The overall aim of “Camp Europe” is to build resilience amongst children and young people affected by the violent conflicts ongoing in and around Europe (Ukraine especially considered), to this end offering safe-space through YMCA summer camps for relief and rehabilitation, trauma-healing and integration.

In 2023 YMCA Europe launched the pilot initiative which saw 16 projects across Europe supported. Highlights include a month-long children’s program in the Czech Republic and a peace camp delivered by YMCA Artsakh, both providing spaces for children and young people to learn, heal and rejuvenate with the will to help and support one another; fundamentally it’s about the drive to bring about positive change and Do No Harm.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

YMCAs in Europe that demonstrate capacities in relief and rehabilitation, trauma-healing and integration services for war affected children and young people are invited to apply.

All proposed interventions are required to fall within the above mentioned overall aim of the “Camp Europe” initiative and are to be held in the form of residential summer camps.

The maximum sum requested should not exceed 10 000 EUR. A contribution of at least 10% of the total budget is required from the applicant organisations operating in conflict affected countries and at least 40% of the total budget from the applicant partners based elsewhere in Europe.

Volunteer time and in-kind contributions will be considered as eligible and must be agreed beforehand.

A Minimum 50% of direct beneficiaries of proposed projects must be war affected children, young people or IDPs (internally displaced person) living in/around war zones (e.g. Ukraine or neighbouring countries) or refugees.

For integration activities the participation of the host community participants is anticipated and welcome, as long as their number does not exceed 50% of direct beneficiaries.

Eligible Costs: Board, Lodging, Transportation, Activity Costs, Materials & Supplies, Expertise & Facilitation, Administration (maximum 10%).

CONTRACTING CRITERIA

Disbursement of the project funds is subject to a formal agreement to be signed between YMCA Europe and partner organisation, assuming the following responsibilities for the recipient entity:

★ As part of the contracting process to provide YMCA Europe with implementation plan, timeframe and budget breakdown of granted project.
★ Upon the completion of the project to provide YMCA Europe with a narrative report, including the list of participants, summary evaluations (if available), and visual (video, photo, publications, etc.) materials.
★ Upon the completion of the project to provide YMCA Europe with financial reports, incl. the proofs of expenditure (receipts, checks, etc.) and/or audit resolution.
★ Ensure the visibility of the project with the YMCA Europe logo, as well as with the reference to YMCA Camp Europe initiative to appear on any document, publication, website, etc. linked to the project.

DISBURSEMENT SCHEDULE:

★ 80% of funds will be provided upon the signature of the contract and prior to the start of the project.
★ Remaining 20% of funds will be provided upon the submission and approval of financial and narrative reporting.

No Cash Transactions are allowed.

APPLICATION, ACTIVITY & REPORTING TIMEFRAME

★ The deadline for applications is May 31, 2024. “Camp Europe” Application form is provided as an attachment to the Call and is available for download
★ Applications must be sent in electronic format to campeurope@ymcaeurope.com. Selection will be carried out by YMCA Europe Task Force. Contracting process is to be completed by June 30, 2024.
★ All projects must be finished by August 31, 2024.
★ All Narrative & Financial Reports must be submitted by October 31, 2024. “Camp Europe” Narrative & Financial Report forms will be provided upon project approval.

Attach 2024 Application form – Camp Europe Application 2024.doc

Roots at Essentials of Non-Formal Education Training Course 2024

In a global landscape marked by rapid change and diverse challenges, empowering youth with the necessary skills and values is crucial for fostering a better future. Recently, we had the privilege of participating in the Essentials of Non-Formal Education Training Course 2024, organized by the Council of Europe at the European Youth Centre Budapest. This article provides insights into the aims, experiences, and outcomes of this transformative event.

The Aim of the Training:

The primary objective of the Essentials of NFE TC 2024 was to enhance the capacities of youth organizations in conducting high-quality international intercultural non-formal educational activities. These activities aimed to have a multiplying effect on the participating members, empowering them to actively advocate for and embody the core values of the Council of Europe – human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Through this training, participants were equipped with the tools and knowledge to engage young people in meaningful ways, fostering a culture of active citizenship and social responsibility.

Highlights of the Training:

Over the course of a week-long training program, participants had the invaluable opportunity to exchange ideas, experiences, and best practices. Representatives from organizations shared insights into their ongoing projects, demonstrating the diverse ways in which non-formal education can empower youth and promote positive change. Additionally, participants delved into the quality standards and recommendations set forth by the Council of Europe, gaining a deeper understanding of how to ensure the effectiveness and impact of their educational initiatives. Through interactive sessions and discussions, attendees also had the chance to connect with youth workers from across Europe, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.

Gratitude and Looking Forward:

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Council of Europe for organizing this enriching training course and for their commitment to youth empowerment and peacebuilding. The knowledge, skills, and insights gained during the Essentials of NFE TC 2024 will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on our work and the communities we serve. As we look to the future, we are excited about the potential for continued partnerships with the Council of Europe and fellow youth organizations. Together, we can empower the next generation to become active agents of positive change, championing the values of equality, justice, and solidarity.

Conclusion:

The Essentials of NFE TC 2024 served as a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us of the transformative power of non-formal education in empowering youth and fostering a more inclusive and equitable society. As we reflect on our experiences and lessons learned, we are reminded of the profound responsibility we have to nurture the potential of young people and to create a world where all individuals can thrive. Through collaboration, dedication, and a shared commitment to core values, we can build a brighter future for generations to come.