Who we are
Our rich tradition in youth work begins in 1844, when George Williams, seeing the material and social deprivation young people were facing in mid-19th century London, set the cornerstone of what would become the YMCA.
Since our founding, the YMCA has made an impact in 120 countries across the globe, serving more than 60 million people annually. The invention of basketball, volleyball and futsal, a Nobel Peace Prize and the constant dedication to the wellbeing of youth and communities for more than two centuries, all of these and so many more achievements can be attributed to the YMCA.
Roots Ecosystem is YMCA Europe’s peacebuilding work with young people, carried out through three projects — Roots for Peace, Camp Europe and Generation Next — each described on its own page in the menu above.