Our way strategy

OUR WAY STRATEGY
PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
2014 TO 2018
4th
Version
March 2014

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www.ymca.intWorld YMCA
PREAMBLE:
The YMCA empowers young people.
The YMCA is deeply rooted in local communities.
Young people are part of an untold story – a hidden story of injustice on a major scale.
Statistics show young people facing difficulties and greater challenges than ever before – in
employment (projected at 75 million unemployed), health (lack of access, abuse, and loss of
hope), civic engagement (alone, displaced, and vulnerable) and their local and global
environment (on issues of safety, security, and sustainability).
We believe young people are our hope and our collective assets and we must do more and be
more for the 1.8 billion young people around the world. We are working for change. In the
long-term we aspire to reach 5 percent of these young people (90 million young people). Our
past tells us we can achieve big impact. Our present tells us the time to act is now.
The YMCA lives our mission as a Christian and ecumenical organisation and we are called to
welcome and serve all young people through the unconditional love of God. We are rooted
through our common heritage as stated through the Paris Basis and Challenge 21. We are
called to serve. The YMCA since its origins has been called to serve – to protect and care for
the mind, spirit, and body - and to nurture the potential for change through Space –
Transformation – Impact for all young people.
From 2010 to 2014 the World YMCA NEW WAY strategy focused on Youth Empowerment,
Movement Strengthening, Resource Mobilisation, Communications, and Governance with
Global Citizenship as a crosscutting perspective.
In 2012, the World YMCA affirmed our commitment through the Nairobi Statement:
The YMCA wants to achieve its full potential
We therefore must be a stronger movement
We therefore must attract greater resources
We therefore must have more visibility
We therefore must demonstrate greater impact
We therefore must have a shared focus
Relevant to the world
Grounded in our mission
Worthy of our aspiration
Connected to our current work
We therefore choose to collectively stand for youth empowerment
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In 2011, we consulted with the world movement on ‘Youth Empowerment’. This process of
interviews resulted in a common definition - written by young people -, as follows:
To give youth the platform and tools they need (whatever that may be, depending on
the young person’s starting point) to feel needed, trusted, and able to believe in
possibilities, to further trust themselves to lead and believe they can make a
difference, thereby becoming a change maker in the world.
This definition led to the formulation of our Change Model – Space – Transformation - Impact
We have identified Youth Empowerment as our collective strategic priority for all YMCAs.
Through global coordination and cooperation the YMCA worldwide is building increased
capacity in youth empowerment. Through our YMCA Change Model of Space – Transformation –
Impact, young people realise their individual and collective potential for personal
development and strengthening communities. Some examples are - 220 Change Agents aged
18 to 30 are actively engaged in this process. The World YMCA One Million Voices research in
68 countries seeks to bring young peoples’ opinion and voice on the important issues they
face on employment, health, civic engagement, and the environment. The YMCA World
Challenge is collectively mobilising young people and communities on significant scale.
From 2014 to 2018, as we plan for our future and we move forward from an internal to
external perspective we believe the World YMCA OUR WAY Strategic Plan will have one
unified strategic focus on Youth Empowerment. Youth Empowerment will be fueled by the
two operating priorities of 1) Resource Development, and 2) Communications, Advocacy,
Research & Impact. These two engines will power us as a global movement to move forward
on a significant scale for youth empowerment. YMCA Movement Strengthening continues to be
the internal focus for our collective work around the world. The world YMCA is uniquely
positioned to do this work.
Youth Empowerment is deeply rooted in the local and national reality of all YMCAs and brings
together diverse perspectives and added value between regions and the worldwide network.
Due to this unique combination of local relevance and action at the grassroots and a global
and regional network, the YMCA is positioned to advance change and achieve impact in a
transformational and sustainable manner.
Representatives from the World YMCA will gather at the World Council in June/July 2014. At
that time the World YMCA will consider and approve the strategic directions for the period
from 2014 to 2018. The NEW WAY Strategy has laid the groundwork for expanded impact for
youth empowerment.
The World YMCA is a federation of independent member national YMCA associations (and local
YMCA associations). In each region of the world, YMCAs have local leadership and programmes
based on the context and reality of their constituents. On the global level, YMCAs have a common
focus on youth empowerment and share a vision for a collective impact. YMCAs are active in close
to 12,000 local communities. The World YMCA strives to strengthen YMCAs leadership,
organizational capacity, and programmes, coordinate and support learning and exchange, and
facilitate advocacy and communications. Collectively - the worldwide YMCA reaches 58 million
people - of which 28 million are young people - and has an operating presence in 119 countries.

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OUR WAY 2030 - Plan for the Future
(2014 to 2018)
1) Youth Empowerment:
The mass mobilisation of
interconnected young people
2) Movement
Strengthening: Strong
National Movements are core
to the health of the global
YMCA movement worldwide.
3) Resource Mobilisation: A
diversified, expanded
resource base is essential to
long-term sustainability of
the YMCA movement globally
4) Communications: A
common global message
depicts the unified strength
of the worldwide YMCA
movement.
5) Governance: Improved
structure and functioning of
the governance of the
worldwide movement.
1. Youth Empowerment: A
Common focus on Youth
Empowerment
* 220 Change Agents from 63
countries | One Million
Voices | Global YMCA
Change Model.
2. Movement
Strengthening: 49 national
movements participating.
3. Resource Mobilization:
More than US$2.8 million in
new resources were raised
for strategic priorities +
US$2.7million mobilized in
all areas.
4. Communications
Common understanding of
world YMCA collective
commitment to youth
empowerment + Increased
Digital Presence + World
Challenge: Participation of
432,000 people in 85
countries
5. Governance
Consultation and
Engagement + New World
Council concepts.
Youth Empowerment:
Collective investment and an
integrated approach.
Resource Development:
Diversified and expanded
resource base & strategic
use of YMCA assets and
resources.
Communications,
Advocacy, Research and
Impact: A consistent Image
with focus on youth, global
reach, measurable results
and impact.
Movement Strengthening:
Continue to work on
strengthening YMCAs around
the world focused on the
three pillars: Mission Clarity
– Social Relevance –
Institutional Viability.
PAST
NEW WAY
PRESENT
THE RESULTS
FUTURE
OUR WAY 2014-2018
CHALLENGE 21

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SECTION I: PAST: DEVELOPMENT OF NEW WAY:
In December, 2010, the World Alliance OF YMCAS developed the framework for the NEW WAY
strategic plan. The NEW WAY Strategy document was shared with the Executive Committee
and all National Movements. In April 2011, the Executive Committee approved NEW WAY. It
had five areas of strategic focus:
1) Youth Empowerment: The mass mobilisation of interconnected young people will create
energy to make a difference, contribute to a cause, and foster change on a scale of
significance in the world.
2) Movement Strengthening: Strong National Movements are core to the health of the global
YMCA movement worldwide. A unified focus on the three pillars of Mission Clarity, Social
Relevance, and Institutional Viability provides the substance to the organisational identity
and impact of the YMCA.
3) Resource Mobilisation: A diversified, expanded resource base is essential to the long-term
sustainability of the YMCA movement globally. Increased resources will mean a broader reach
in population, an expanded impact in positive life-changing experiences, and a higher profile
of YMCAs’ activity and image globally.
4) Communications: A common global message depicts the unified strength of the worldwide
YMCA movement. Communications strategies are in place to advance and positively impact
the image, reach, and common understanding of the YMCA as a global partner of choice.
5) Governance: Improved structure and functioning of the governance of the worldwide
movement. The YMCA will reflect and exemplify the ideals of good governance.
Three areas had a cross cutting focus:
Christian Mission: YMCAs have a contemporary understanding of the mission/vision based on
our common Christian values.
Global Citizenship: Foster understanding of the local and global realities of an
interconnected world and acting with a mindset of a global citizen.
Movement Strengthening: Expanded impact and strengthened leadership, programmes and
YMCA organisational viability worldwide reaching 119 countries.
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SECTION II: PRESENT: NEW WAY Results:
1. Youth Empowerment:
 A Common focus on Youth Empowerment – results of a research-based consultative
process, with the worldwide YMCA movement, affirmed with the signed Nairobi
statement declaration. Ongoing interviews, consultations, and discussions with leaders
in the movement.
 Understanding of the YMCA Change Model – ‘Space - Transformation – Impact’ -
commonly in place in all YMCAs- Local, National, and Areas.
 Change Agents leadership – more than 220 Change Agents from 63 countries.
 Research – focus on critical issues in the areas of employment, health, civic
engagement, and environment.
2. Movement Strengthening: Integrated model – Mission –
Social Relevance – Institutional Viability
 Focus on Global Operating Plan (GOP) for Movement Strengthening countries –
collaboration with 4 Areas and continued strengthening reaching 49 national
movements.
 An integrated movement strengthening approach to reach more countries within the
framework of the 3 pillars – reaching more than 70 countries.
 A systematic focus on research and data gathering to increase capacity to measure
impact and results. YMCAs in more than 60 countries engage in One Million Voices
research.
3. Resource Mobilisation: Increased and Diversified Resource
Base
 More than USD $2.8 million in new resources mobilized for strategic priorities –
Investors’ Circle, Change Agents, and One Million Voices (ongoing).
 Strengthened resource mobilisation capacity in place in all Areas and a collective
result of more than USD $2.7 million of new resources mobilised.
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 Increased technical capacity and expertise for resource mobilisation in place in 49
national movements and local YMCAs.
 Short-term Professional staff placements are in place representing an in-kind value of
USD $215,000 from Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Norway.
4. Communications: Image and Impact
 Common language and understanding of world YMCA collective commitment to youth
empowerment. (for reference - Nairobi statement).
 On line communications platform have expanded and all communications resources are
being made available electronically.
 YMCA World Challenge developed (with press and media and an online platform) and
implemented engaging 85 countries and reaching 432,000 people on one day.
5. Governance: Best Practices
 World Council planning and preparations with theme: Empowering Young People.
 Guidelines and Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics in place.
 Risk management policy and guidelines have been developed.
 Best practices in global governance practice and processes are integrated.
 Leadership is engaged during annual strategic meetings with 45 to 50 National General
Secretaries
SECTION III: FUTURE - OUR WAY – 2014 – 2018
From 2014 to 2018, as we build for our future and we move forward from an Internal to
External focus, we believe the World YMCA OUR WAY Strategic Plan will have a unified
Internal and External focus on Youth Empowerment and an Internal focus on Movement
Strengthening. Youth Empowerment will be fueled by the two operating priorities of 1)
Resource Development, and 2) Research, Communications, Advocacy, & Impact. These two
engines will power us as a global movement to move forward on a significant scale for Youth
Empowerment. Needless to say in an integral approach these strategic priorities will enhance
movement strengthening as it is enhancing the youth empowerment.
We plan for a Strategic Internal and External Focus on Youth Empowerment:
Youth Empowerment: Collective investment and an integrated approach.
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We foresee 2 Strategic Priorities to support our strategic focus, as follows:
Resource Development: Diversified and expanded resource base & strategic use of YMCA
assets and resources.
Research, Communications, Advocacy, and Impact: A consistent Image with focus on youth,
global reach, measurable results and impact.
We plan to continue our Strategic Internal Focus on Movement Strengthening:
Movement Strengthening: Strong National Movements are core to the health of the global
YMCA movement worldwide. A unified focus on the three pillars of Mission Clarity, Social
Relevance, and Institutional Viability will continue. Movement Strengthening is foundational
to our work.
Building on our foundational Christian Mission and heritage and our continued emphasis on
strengthening the movement, from 2014 to 2018, the World YMCA plans to work, as follows:
STRATEGIC FOCUS: YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
Goal: The World YMCA movement collectively invests resources in young people. Change
Agents are active – young people are the face of the movement – youth empowerment is
shared focus at all levels.
Expected Results: Establish a clear vision - build understanding of the impact and result of
youth empowerment – the benefits of our new alignment as a worldwide YMCA movement –
with a clear picture of what a globally recognised YMCA looks like in 2030. YMCAs build
compelling evidence of lasting changes in the lives of young people and the conditions that
affect their lives.
Objective 1: Change Agents are evaluated, integrated and a new recruitment plan is in place
for the next cohort (of 250). At least 750 YMCA leaders are developed and prepared for
leadership roles by 2018.
Objective 2: Systems are in place to grow and mobilise global young leaders to reach up to 2
million by 2018. In the longer-term the World YMCA aims to reach 5 percent of the 1.8 billion
young people (or 90 million young people).
Objective 3: Strengthen and scale-up relevant youth empowerment programmes on
employment, health, civic engagement, and environment through implementing and
expanding best practices. Develop and expand programmes for increased impact on youth and
health, youth and jobs/employment, youth civic engagement/global citizenship, and youth
engagement for a sustainable environment, directly reaching 500,000 young people.
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STRATEGIC PRIORITY 1: RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT:
Goal: The World YMCA leverages and expands resources to increase the organizational
capacity and sustainability of YMCAs around the world.
Expected Results: Funds are secured for Youth Empowerment - Change Agents, One Million
Voices research and other research, and programmes. (Goal: US$5 million secured)
Objective 1: Financial Development: The World YMCA accesses new resources as funds and
investments are secured for youth empowerment programmes (One Million Voices, and
employment, health, and civic engagement programmes).
Sub-Objective 1: The World YMCA serves and facilitates access to knowledge and sharing
information on good practices around the world to support YMCAs starting to think about how
best to diversify funding streams and enter into new funding markets. Management policies
and practices are strengthened and new leadership capacity is developed for YMCAs to
negotiate and expand resources.
Expected Results: YMCAs have access to information, assistance and coaching to increase
their capacity to diversify and expand their funding sources. Risk management policies and
practices in place.
Sub-Objective 2: World Alliance, together with Areas and National Movements, mobilise
financial resources to strengthen and scale-up youth empowerment programmes.
Expected Results: Collectively, the World movement secures USD $5 million in new resources.
Sub-Objective 3: In collaboration with National Movements and Areas, professional staff
placements are secured to expand capacity to leverage and access new resources.
Expected Results: 30 short-term staff placements are secured to contribute to increased
capacity at the World Alliance and expand the professional development experiences of
placees.
Objective 2: Property Development:
Goal: In close collaboration with national movements, local YMCAs, and Areas, the world
YMCA conducts a mapping of assets and develops a business plan for property development.
Background: YMCAs around the world have a unique heritage of significant real estate assets
representing a collective value of billions of dollars. Many of these assets are in a poor state
of repair, are under utilized and do not generate sustainable income streams. The World
YMCA believes that many of these assets could be re-developed or used in different ways to
become viable social enterprises, yielding revenues to contribute to the YMCAs sustainability
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and resulting in significant social and community benefit. As a response the World YMCA is
considering how it might be in a position to support initiatives to unlock the value held in
building assets for the benefit of local YMCAs.
Sub-Objective 1: Conduct a comprehensive mapping and analysis of YMCA property assets
and development opportunities worldwide. Identify and locate needed business, financial,
legal, and development expertise.
Sub-Objective 2: Review and develop business plans and prospectus, and short-list viable
prospects. Explore models for a worldwide property development initiative.
Expected Results: New collaborations are developed between YMCAs and WAY together with
internal and external partners and networks.
Expected Results: The use of assets (which involve re-development, disposal or
refurbishment of assets) is maximized to leverage and increase resources for sustainability of
YMCAs, locally and nationally.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 2: RESEARCH, COMMUNICATIONS,
ADVOCACY, AND IMPACT
Objective 1: Research:
Goal 1: Build capacity, expertise, and a collective YMCA profile of relevance to young people
and the critical issues of concern to them: jobs/employment, health, civic engagement, and
environment.
Goal 2: Influence national and global policy debate, increase visibility of the youth agenda,
and mobilise new resources.
Expected Results: The YMCA worldwide is a leading organization for reference on youth
issues. YMCAs communicate evidence of impact and engaging stories of what young people
do to influence change.
Sub-Objective 1: Implement the One Million Voices (OMV) project with more than 60
member YMCAs in countries to obtain representative youth voice and opinion (ages 15 to 24)
on global issues of jobs/employment, health, and civic engagement. Gather research reports
from partners and other collaborating institutions.
Sub-Objective 2: Develop recommendations on youth policies and advocacy for employment,
health, and civic engagement – informed by the research findings.
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Sub-Objective 3: Expand knowledge and evidence based learning. Through One Million Voices
research and learning from other research efforts of YMCA educational facilities and
collaborating partners, YMCAs learn more from each other and deepen national, local and
regional relationships and expand knowledge.
Objective 2: Communications and Advocacy:
Goal: NEW WAY evolves to become OUR WAY as YMCAs collectively communicate and
advocate for Youth Empowerment and strengthening the YMCA worldwide.
Expected Results: The World YMCA has a strengthened image and position. On the world
level - YMCAs are referenced and recognised collectively and in every country as powerful
youth focused organisations with relevance and impact in employment, health, civic
engagement, and environment.
Sub-Objective 1: A clear public policy advocacy agenda is established and focused on Youth
Empowerment causes to transform society.
Sub-Objective 2: YMCAs have expanded partnerships and collaborations - YMCAs have
strengthened relationships with other organisations on regional, national, and local levels,
and with global institutions. Partners identify and reach out to the YMCA as an expert on
youth issues.
Sub-Objective 3: Communications flows easily with information from all Areas, between
Areas, and from and to the World Alliance.
Objective 3: Impact Assessment:
Goal: Measure and Communicate Collective Impact
Expected Result: Build a consensus on common measurement indicators for each objective to
increase capacity for collective measurement of impact.
Sub-Objective 1: Develop simple Impact indicators for Youth Empowerment.
Sub-Objective 2: Develop simple Impact indicators for Movement Strengthening.
INTERNAL STRATEGIC FOCUS: MOVEMENT STRENGTHENING
Movement Strengthening: The World YMCA will continue to work on Movement Strengthening
and shall focus on the three pillars of strong YMCAs: Mission Clarity – Social Relevance –
Institutional Viability. Movement Strengthening is foundational to our work.
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Objective 1: Area organisations will prioritise capacity building and strengthening of their
member national movements. The World YMCA will support these efforts to achieve greater
collective capacity.
Objective 2: The World YMCA will invest in strengthening leadership with a focus on National
General Secretaries and work to strengthen Governance with volunteers through the World
Executive Committee.
Objective 3: The World YMCA will gather and make available YMCA health and vitality
information to all National Movements.
Expected Results: Strengthened YMCAs leadership, programmes, and organisational capacity
worldwide.

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