YMCA Europe Roots
Peace Award 2022
Call For Nominations

In our pursuit to sustain and enhance peace-building initiatives across the continent, YMCA Europe is pleased to announce the third call for the Roots Local Capacities for Peace Award.

This initiative is part of YMCA Europe Roots for Peace project, with Brot fur die Welt Germany as our key funding partner.

YMCA Europe member and cooperating organizations are invited to submit applications to receive the Award of € 10,000.

In doing so, the applicant organizations are expected to:

With maximum 500 words demonstrate the organization’s contribution specifically towards YMCA Europe Roots project. Let us know what you think was that unique footprint of your organization that enriched the Roots so far, and now deserves due appreciation.
With a maximum 500 words elaborate on the concept of the project, which you plan to implement if awarded. Let us know how far that project promotes peace and whether it is in line with YMCA Europe Roots’ theory of change and what innovation it offers. Please indicate clearly who are the target group(s) benefiting from the initiative.
Indicate the estimated project budget, and whereby over € 10,000, provide clear information on co-funding sources and guarantees.
Provide a piece of visual material (free style) exhibiting your case for further use in YMCA Europe Roots online platforms.

The applications have to be submitted by March the 31st, 2022, through email to YMCA Europe Executive Secretary – Vardan Hambardzumyan.

The shortlisted applications will be nominated for final selection through online assessment exclusively by YMCA Europe Roots Peace Work Institute Alumni by April the 15th, 2022.

The award ceremonies are to take place within YMCA Europe General Assemblies.

Disbursement of the Award funds is subject to a formal agreement to be signed between YMCA Europe and laureate organization, assuming the following responsibilities for the recipient organization:

As part of the contracting process, to provide YMCA Europe with an implementation plan, timeframe and budget breakdown of the 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 Roots for Peace Project with the YMCA Europe Roots logo, as well as the reference to the Roots Peace Award to appear on any document, publication, website, etc. linked to the project.
The 75 % of the award sum will be disbursed prior to the planned activity; the remaining 25 % will be released to the implementing organization only upon the fulfillment of the above-mentioned requirements.
All Project-related activities must be completed within the Calendar Year of 2022.

2020 was the inaugural year of YMCA Europe Roots Peace Award. After a highly competitive and participatory process YMCA Georgia was selected to receive it. Their proposed “Roof for Roots” award project was successfully implemented in August 2020, notwithstanding all the limitations and challenges caused by Covid-19 pandemic: Read more at: “Roof for Roots”

Local Capacities for Peace Award 2021 went to YMCA Kosovo project “e-bridge” that is still ongoing and aims to build a peace & reconciliation based youth friendly e-learning programme, accessible to young people across the continent of Europe.

Besides the Monetary Award and in liaison with YMCA Europe Executive Committee, Roots established a symbolic recognition for those international partners and supporters that stood and still stand by the project for many years – with the European Union & Council of Europe being identified as the recipients of Roots Peace non-monetary Awards in 2020 and 2021, respectively – a gesture well received and appreciated by both of them. Read more at: Council of Europe receives Roots Award

Good luck & we are looking forward to hearing back from you!

The Eighth Roots & Next Quarterly is Issued

Roots & Next Quarterly #8 is here – a detailed reflection upon the last 3 months of 2021 and anticipation of a busy spring ahead of us.

The highlights of this period were the events where we managed to bring young people from all over Europe together and face to face, after almost 2 years of lockdown and restrictions.

Please stay healthy, all of you – we have a lot to do, together!

The Roots & Next Quarterly is available as pdf

I am ROOTS: Nika Chikhradze

Since its inception in 2012 and with two cohorts (2012-2014, 2014-2019) of participants that passed through it, the Roots Peace Work Institute (PWI) sought to enroll young leaders of different backgrounds from across Europe, young people who were and are a voice and not an echo – eager to learn, to try, to grow… Like raw diamonds to shine after the grind.

And we believe that most of these 46 Alumni managed to develop both personally and professionally as they journeyed through PWI.

Today we share with you the story of Nika Chixradze, a very talented person from Georgia.

Nika studied Economics at Caucasus University and his current occupation is in computer science. His organization provides technical support for companies like Samsung and Phillips in more than 37 countries. But in Roots Nika is more known as a musician and a great atmosphere-maker!

When Nika joined Roots, he didn’t have any other experience in this field.

“Roots had a big impact on me, it affected my personal and professional life. I got to know so many wonderful people, new cultures and traditions. On a personal level, I gained some useful soft skills. It helped me to overcome many difficulties at different stages of my life.

I have faced various issues – insecurity, lack of information, lack of confidence… Every time at Roots events, I get a lot of answers to the questions in my mind. It gave me motivation, inspiration to move forward and make little steps for big changes,” Nika says.

Nika is very actively involved in the activities of his local YMCA. Right now in the framework of Roots, they organize various initiatives and projects to empower and bring together different ethnic minority groups from all over Georgia. It started when YMCA Georgia won the Peace Award with the Roof for Roots project and now continues to grow and engage more people.

“I remember almost all moments spent in the Roots family and they are very special to me. But my favorite moments are when we have the evaluation of the session in the end and I see how I have grown, how others have changed and what kind of strong impact it had on participants of a particular event.

For me, Roots is about support, empowerment and safety. It has literally changed my life and I have seen other people too in this way. The impact is tangible and real, it might not change the lives of all involved, but will surely convince people to take steps for better changes, which is already a huge achievement for me” concludes Nika.

Since 2007 and ever growing, from the South to the North, from the East to the West of Europe – the Roots has always been there for those striving to make this world a better and safer place, a peaceful home for all. We go where the need is, responding quickly to the emerging issues with the legacy and mandate, capacity and adaptability gained for all these years.

By donating to the Roots, you invest in youth opinion leaders from all corners of Europe – varied by age, ethnicity, religion, race or wealth, but united with one strong conviction – Peace is the only way!

rootsmade startup: facts & stats

Under the auspices of YMCA Europe Roots for Peace project the “rootsmade” charity e-commerce start-up was launched for people directly affected by ongoing wars in the Middle East and the Caucasus.

In the framework of this initiative an expert advisor was selected from the Roots Peace Work Insatiate alumni and contracted to carry on the task of designing and setting-up a specific e-commerce website and related social media platforms.

The assignment started effective July the 1st, 2021, and was completed by December the 31st, 2021. During this time the following tasks were accomplished.

A charity e-commerce webpage was developed, including both frontend and backend: https://en.rootsmade.com

The web development went through several stages and components, including graphic and web design and creation of templates for all gadget versions, set-up of content management hub, product inventory, cart, payment, and A to Z e-commerce systems, dynamic forms, as well as search engine.

A mobile version engine was created. Parallelly the web-content was developed, including stories of 20 beneficiaries, and details of 365 products. The page is available in Armenia and English. It was piloted already in November, and after a month of quality assurance, was fully operational effective December the 1st, 2021.

Charity e-commerce social media marketing strategy was put in place, together with set-up of platforms:
Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/rootsmade)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/roots_made_)

to support the webpage. Market specialist advice and recommendations were acquired for product classification and categorization. Since December the 1st, 2021, both the platforms are maintained and operated on everyday basis.

A detailed assessment was conducted for the proper enrolment of the start-up beneficiaries from the target groups.

All the products went through quality assurance and market analyses. Over 40 Syrian Armenians and displaced people from the recent Karabakh war were contacted to join the platform.

Twenty of them are already in, with many more in line. Their life stories regarding their roots, occupation and repatriation to Armenia were gathered, composed, and translated into English.

In order to select only good quality, genuine and aesthetic products, each handmade article was careful evaluated. All the 20 vendors and 365 of their produces went professional photo sessions, including Adobe Lightroom editing.

The implementation of this initiative was carried out in close collaboration with Syrian Armenian Union NGO, who brought their invaluable support in all the possible aspects. Through Roots for Peace Coordinator, the UNHCR Liaison Office in Yerevan and the American University of Armenia Open Education Department were consulted on the follow up cooperation within the initiative.

The current phase of the initiative was successfully accomplished thanks to active participation and involvement of its beneficiaries, who were genuinely helpful with their practical ideas, with sharing experience and advice. Eventually the initiative is appreciated not only by the direct beneficiaries, but also by the wider target group.

In fact, there are other very skillful artisans from the target groups, who are eager to join the start-up. However, to give the initiative solid sustainability, it is key to further provide it with technical assistance in social media and wider marketing.

The rootsmade opens new prospective for its beneficiaries, meanwhile helping them to keep their roots. This initiative is not about online shopping only. Each of its enrolled vendors has incredible life-story, worth to be heard and documented for the perspective memory of the generations to come.

Moreover, like their creators every handmade article has its history and tradition, important to be preserved for our composite heritage. This platform has a full potential of becoming the seed, which different developmental assistance projects may immerge from.

Expert inquiries were made to set the proper legal base of the start-up according to Republic of Armenia Law. Under the supervision of the Roots for Peace Coordinator the creation of a respective charity foundation is in process. Expert inquiries were made to clarify the start-up financial frame-work and reporting to the State Revenue Commit-tee of Republic of Armenia.

ProFest: Then, Now and Later – Together Towards a Composite Memory

Within the framework of YMCA Europe “Roots for Peace” Project, YMCA Netherlands will bring together around 40 young people from across the European Continent and beyond to celebrate 75 years of freedom and to express their own opinion about related topics. They will discuss their personal and national memories, rethink the present analyzing the past events and learn how to maintain peace and avoid conflicts.

Why

We believe that multicultural dialogue is undoubtedly important, especially now when dozens of conflicts are raging in many parts of the world. By letting young people with totally different background to hear and to be heard, we want to encourage youth cooperation and shared learning upon how to apply the past and the present for building a better common future.

Who

The young people (18-25 years old) from Netherlands, Belarus, Germany, Russia, Canada, Georgia, Ukraine, Armenia, Scotland, France and Ireland

When

The exchange will take place from April 30th to May 7th, 2022.

Where

YMCA Camp Leusden, the Netherlands

How

Via joint commemorative events and special workshops youngsters will gain unique experience by meeting the witnesses and sharing their families’ stories. Being a part of international group will enable them to learn about other cultures and foster tolerance towards each other.

They will have the opportunity to express their own opinions about such acute topics as war and peace, national and collective memory and learn how to tackle sensitive issues and avoid conflicts. And of course, international exchange is a great opportunity to show their hidden talents and boost creativity and open-mindedness.

During this week-long youth exchange, participants will do a wide array of activities. Central in these is the theme of commemoration and ways of dealing with the past. This includes active participation in various activities that cohere the commemoration of World War Two and its painful legacy.

Starting point for this is the comparison of different cultures of remembrance at the Former Soviet Cemetery in Leusden, the Netherlands.

This exchange will include a tour at the Former-Soviet Cemetery of Leusden (date to be decided) and a commemorative meeting at the same place (May 3rd), the ceremony of Remembrance of the Fallen in the Netherlands (May 4th) and the Liberation Day activities (May 5th).

There will be space to discuss difficult topics like remembrance, narratives of war and peace and peacebuilding. The exchange aims to bring the participants closer together by having them experience and discuss the importance of peace and reconciliation.

There will also be time for reflection, for games and intercultural activities. It is important that participants from all countries get the opportunity the show their own habits and customs, while learning about the customs of other countries.

Following to the postponement of this project a small international project group has worked to give shape to the project in anticipation of the youth exchange. This spin- off project is named World by Word and will explorer the power of stories.

The Consortium is formed by YMCA’s from the Netherlands, Georgia, Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Armenia, France, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, LEB Germany and YMCA Europe’s Roots for Peace.

The full infoletter is available here

Do you want to know more? Contact Jonathan van Varik at Jonathan@ymca.nl

“Then, Now and Later: Together Towards a Composite Memory” Youth exchange is co financed by the Erasmus+ Programme.

Peace Work Institute Session in Tbilisi

Another key Roots international activity just completed… Peace Work Institute Session in Tbilisi, Georgia with 25 participants, 12 countries, 1 week of continuous learning, networking, cultural exposure and fun are facts, figures and demonstration of dimension that have already become common to any Roots for Peace event – but there was one aspect which stood out during all the days we have spent together during December 03 – 09 that deserves to be highlighted…

What I observed lately (about 3 months ago in Budapest at another key Roots international activity and now in Tbilisi) is that events organized while these challenging times that we all live in are different… People value and cherish the opportunity and moments spent together so much more!

What we almost took for granted just a few years ago has become almost a luxury and those that are able to partake in face-to-face encounters are living them to the fullest!

Yes, online meetings can be easier to organize and more convenient to attend, but they can never take the place of human interaction, live learning and sharing, especially in Peace Work!

And when the company of like-minded and motivated young people is led through the week with a relevant learning scheme and a balanced combination of theory and practice – the success of the activity is already there.

Facilitated by Dr. Wolfgang Heinrich, globally acclaimed expert in peace building, conflict transformation and political analysis – and a great friend and mentor of so many Roots generations, the Session program focused on key points of Do No Harm (DNH) Methodology and their practical application upon two Roots Tandem projects set to happen in 2022:

“Then, Now, and Later: Together towards a Composite Memory” to take place in Netherlands and
“Promoting Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance and Civic Engagement among Young People in the North Caucasus Region” to be implemented with German NGO “Dialogue for Understanding”,

both set to engage dozens of young people from different countries, regions, ethnic, cultural and social backgrounds.

Employing the DNH tools, such as Reflecting on Peace Practices (RPP) Matrix, Dividers & Collectors Analysis, Resources Transfers & Implicit Ethical Messages – the facilitator made sure that participants were constantly involved in Individual and group work, with a follow-up debriefing, feedback and analysis.

As a result, both projects have a solid platform and implementation plan to be further fine-tuned and applied in practice in due time.

There was still time to analyse and set forth the roadmap for Roots small projects designed during Budapest ProFest in September and to happen next year – the proposals from YMCA Romania, YMCA Georgia, YMCA Ukraine and Team Europe (YMCAs of Scotland, Albania & Spain) are expected to secure the institutional support from their sending organizations – with Roots committed to contribute as pledged.

The exposure to the rich Georgian history and culture, as well as the exceptional cuisine was another highlight for the Session that has already made an immense impact on participants as the immediate reaction evaluation on a final day was a vivid proof of it – but the best is yet to come, we have a long journey ahead of us!

P.S. Of all the keywords asked to describe the Session best at the evaluation session, “The Relationships” was a clear frontrunner… This is all what it’s about in the end, isn’t it?!…

By Revaz Shavladze

Check out the full photo album below.

I am ROOTS: Helena Hajkova

And we believe that most of these 46 Alumni managed to develop both personally and professionally as they journeyed through PWI.

Today we share with you the story of Helena Hajkova, a strong young woman from Slovakia.

“My study of Technology of Education specialized in School Management was full of diverse and interesting subjects, yet too shallow. A little bit of everything but not enough of anything. Anyway, I tried to get the best of it, even gaining my first international experience during exchange semesters”, says Helena.

After 5 years of studying theories of didactics, psychology, pedagogy, personal management, school law, informatics, cybernetics, etc, Helena realized she was not ready to start to work and needed to learn more. She got accepted to a volunteering project in Montevideo in Uruguay and fell in love with the country.

So… planned one year turned into three. She returned empowered by the extraordinary experience, by practical social work in a very poor neighborhood and decided to do the same in her hometown.

“At this point, the local YMCA found me and recruited me to be their project coordinator which was exactly what I was looking for. We managed to bring tens of volunteers from many countries to work with the underprivileged children in local community centers and personally. I was lucky to share the time with them, listening to their stories, playing and studying together. This is how I got involved with Roots.

With my colleagues, we started to look for new ways to lower the gap between local youth and those from disadvantaged backgrounds and how to connect these groups of young people. The Roots for Reconciliation’s Peace work institute project was perfect for me in that sense. It was full of reconciliation strategies,” shares Helena.

Helena was an amazing and very active participant, always ready to contribute. She joined Roots in 2017 for the second cohort of the Peacework Institute. During that period she got pregnant and now has a wonderful daughter.

“Being part of Roots’ training courses taught me a lot about peace, how fragile it is. The most valuable impact on me was surely the people I met there. Not only the amazing lecturers but also each and every one of the participants.

From now on I personally know people who have suffered, still suffer, and will suffer the atrocities of war. Suddenly, the conflicts have faces, stories are full of important details, which are neither black nor white. Just real. And it is enough if you know just one story, the rest of them are equally bad. I will recommend this course to every young person, as I see Roots as the future of the YMCA,” Helena says.

What is Peace for me

What is PEACE for me?

A short word with a deep meaning. Peace, as well as happiness, is difficult to evaluate. When we have it, we take it for granted. And it seems that’s how it should be. Because peace, love, joy and beauty are our nature, our divine foundation.

We are enjoying the sun after a long rain. Appreciate the love that penetrates every cell of the body after we experience the gray turmoil of loneliness. Understand the harmony of health when we live through the burning pain. Unfortunately, the same is peace.

What is peace to me? This question was one of the exercises at the meeting in Tbilisi. People from different countries have gone there. Very different by age, life experience and beliefs. Each of us has our own favorite food, music, colors and styles of clothing.

Unites us the desire to live and the desire to change something for the better. From now on we are together part of the Roots Peace Work Institute by YMCA Europe.

What is PEACE to me?

This is life, home, sky, sun and wind. My peace is in the smile of my parents, in conversations with friends, in a walk down the waterfront of the city during the sunset. My peace is the opportunity to wake up from the alarm clock and get ready for work, a cat’s school, a warm shower with scented gel.

Peace lives in people, in their hearts, eyes, stories. We told each other about the conflicts in the territory of our countries, about cruelty and death. And about life that goes on no matter what. We cried together, and tears as if softened the scars on the heart. We were cheering for a young couple who lived two wars together and got married a few weeks ago. We have shown photos from our smartphones that have a lot of meaning to everyone.

We joked, we hugged, we sang. Because life wins every day. There is room for conflicts in it, but also dialogue, respect, trust.

And we are supposed to live. Plant seeds of love and understanding. And gradually from it will grow trees and flowers, forests and gardens of openness, security and peace.

What is PEACE for me?

PEACE is such a short word with such a vast meaning.

Relating to you what PEACE means for me is very difficult (it would be like relating to you what Happiness means to me – and Happiness is so different for everyone).

When we carry PEACE within us, it becomes an essential component of the whole. We hardly realise it’s there – that’s how normal it feels! Now, the lack of one is a completely different story.

PEACE, LOVE & HAPPINESS are God’s gracious gifts to us All. The three make up the Core of our Essence and Divine Nature.

I am HAPPY when I see the sunshine beaming through the clouds after the rain. I appreciate the Healing Harmony of Healthy Well Being in LOVE, especially having endured the burning sensation of enormous pain. I am grateful for my PEACE today, I feel it penetrating my every cell, especially after having been subjected to a pitiful bitterness of rejection and loneliness.

“What is PEACE for you?” was the question posed at the meet up in Tbilisi, Georgia. People from different backgrounds, ages and beliefs have all come together to unite in Tbilisi. Each was carrying their identity and ethnicity within – we dressed differently, we had different colors, our preferences in music, literature and food were all very different!

So what united us all?

Love of Life and the Desire to bring about positive changes! From now on we are a part of the Peace Work Institute (by YMCA Europe).

What is PEACE for you, Alina?

PEACE is living my Life, having my Home, seeing the Sky, the Sun, feeling the Wind. My PEACE is my parents’ smiling faces, my chats with friends, riverside walks at sunsets to name a few. My PEACE is being able to set my alarm clock and wake up to it, get ready and go to work, teach tricks to my cat, take warm showers with flavorful embracing aromas. The list can go on.

PEACE lives in People, inhabits their hearts. PEACE reflects in their eyes when they share their life’s journeys and stories with you.

Together, we spoke to each other about the conflicts within our nations, about the cruelty and death. Together, we spoke to each other even more about Life, which goes on despite it all. Together, we mourned and cried. And the tears have washed over our scarred hearts, healing the wounds. Together, we celebrated the couple whose relationship has endured two wars and who united paths a few weeks prior to the event.

Together, we pulled out smartphones and shared the photographs that were meaningful to us. Together, we joked, gave hugs, danced and sang, because Life wins every day. The conflicts are there, they systematically come into our lives and lives of those living around us. Yet, we are equipped to seek communication (dialogue), pursuing respect and trust.

Together, we go on living. We go on planting the seeds of Peace, Love and Understanding. And with perseverance and continuous care, we shall soon see the majestic blooming flowers in the miraculous gardens of our own creation. We will walk hand in hand through luscious woods of threes we planted, celebrating our togetherness and unity. Together, we will enable our Planet to breathe Freely, Mindfully, and PEACEfully.

By Alina Revenko, YMCA Kremenchuk – Ukraine.

Back to active life: fighting Covid19 challenges – Project updates

The joint project “Back to active life: fighting Covid-19 challenges” of YMCA Ukraine and YMCA Europe “Roots for Peace” is successfully going on!

After a series of online training sessions, delivered by the international team of trainers, the project participants started to share gained knowledge and skills in their YMCAs and their communities with very valuable and actual information on how to be safe and sound in pandemic and post pandemic times.

The youth have been and continue to be exposed to harmful effects of Covid: isolation and frustration, increase of conflicts, job loss and severe problems with employment. That’s why it’s hard to overestimate the importance of the project activities, focused on strengthening of the mental health and psychosocial resilience, conflicts prevention/resolution, raise of employability of young people.

The project has international dimension and involves the representatives from Ukraine and Russia, with technical, methodological and financial support of Roots.

Some innovative tools and methods are used by the trainers to give the most needed information, such as

“Listening hour” methodology of psychosocial stability,
“Do No Harm” approach and
“Peacework Guidebook” to improve the ability to resolve the conflict situations.

The – the recent publication of the YMCA Europe – is being translated into Russian and Ukrainian to give access to the publication for the peacebuilding practitioners from mentioned countries.

The feedback of the project participants is very positive, they feel themselves much more confident and secure in these challenging times.

Stay tuned! More interesting news will come!

Building The E-Bridge

“Before I tell you what the e-bridge is about and why it is so important for me as a young person, let me go back to the beginning of how the story started and how we came up with this project.

Back in 2020, when the world got hit by COVID-19 and our lives changed once and for all, we all had to adapt to a new reality: going digital.

Here in Kosovo YMCA, before COVID-19 all of our training programs were being held physically- face to face where young people got the chance to meet and interact with each other and learn new things together in a physical setting.

So when COVID-19 arrived and we had to quarantine, we had to stop our programs that were being held in person and switch digital. We had to make sure that we were delivering quality and fun activities via Zoom to young people across Kosovo, so they can continue with their learning curriculums and develop personally and professionally.

During the pandemic is when we started building e-learning platforms so young people can work from home or come to the centres and socially distance but keep learning and joining in…

More than 250 young people across Kosovo got the chance to finish YMCA programs through the e-learning platform from September 2020 till June 2021 thanks to this experience. Now we saw potential and something that could even work internationally- that’s where the e-bridge idea came from.

The e-bridge is a collaborative project between YMCA Kosovo, YMCA Serbia and YMCA Ireland, a project that as the main goal has to bring young people together in an online environment and to give them the chance to learn more about peace, communities, social movements, what unites people and divides them.

Together with YMCA Serbia and YMCA Ireland we met online to build the e-bridge platform and exchange thoughts and ideas on what the platform should contain and what we want to deliver to young people.

As a result of these meetings we built the e-bridge platform which is self-paced, containing 8 sessions with different topics, where young people through ted talks, games, and quizzes will have the chance to explore themes about peace and reconciliation.

In order to make it more attractive for young people we decided on a matrix theme (especially with the new movie due out in winter) and we worked with blob creator Ian Long on personalized blobs as a reflection tool where young people can reflect on what they have learned during the sessions.

During this experience, I got the chance to meet virtually with other inspiring young leaders from YMCA Ireland and YMCA Serbia, and share with them thoughts and ideas on how to make the e-bridge platform a better learning resource tool for young people.

Furthermore, I got the chance to learn more from YMCA Ireland youth work activities that they do at their centers and transform these physical activities into online ones, which was challenging because we had to think of engaging ways and how to adopt the activities without losing the meaning and purpose.

Together with YMCA Serbia, we had to be very careful on what kind of materials we want to share to young people from our countries, taking into consideration our history and our cultural backgrounds and media.

When the e-bridge will be launched in December , I am very excited and hopeful that it will serve young people as a tool where they will learn a lot of things about peace, communities, SDG-s, perceptions and stereotypes.

Furthemore, I hope this platform will unite young people from all around Europe to see that we share more things that connect us rather than divide us.

I would be more than happy for us as three YMCAs thanks to this platform to identify young people who are really interested in peace work, so they can continue the peace work journey in other levels through YMCA and become people who bring communities together and inspire other young people to act globally.”

By Ylli Alija, YMCA Kosovo

Learn more about the “e-bridge” project here.

YMCA Europe Roots Peace Award 2022 Call For Nominations