Shape the Programme
Lead the change. Share the impact. Shape the future.
We're inviting submissions to shape YMCA World Council 2026 through stories, sessions, and inspiring voices.
This call for proposals is grounded in YMCA Vision 2030, and built around the core World Council programme framework: the Solutions Studios — a three-day journey through the biggest questions facing YMCA, and the communities it serves.
There are five Studios in total, each with a different focus. Together, they build a bigger picture of what transformation looks like across our Movement — not just in our communities, but in how we work, lead and grow.
Four of the Studios include opportunities for breakout sessions and three for young speakers. The themes are:
· ‘The Shift: Framing Disruption’
· ‘The Vision 2030 Journey: Reflecting on Progress’
· ‘The Response: Amplifying Impact’
· ‘Transformation: Starts with People’
Each is woven through the World Council programme, and your submission should align with one or more of these themes and the four Vision 2030 Pillars:
Community Wellbeing | Meaningful Work | Sustainable Planet | Just World
What you can submit
We’re looking for nominations for inspiring young speakers and breakout session proposals. All submissions based on YMCA projects, programmes and initiatives will also be put forward for development as case studies, as part of exemplar projects which World YMCA is gathering to showcase through written or filmed stories.
Nominate an inspiring young speaker (aged 18–30)
We’re seeking compelling youth voices to take the main stage during our flagship Solutions Studio plenaries. Not with a presentation, but with their story. Something honest, specific, and rooted in lived experience, community action, or systems change.
These are not traditional speeches — they are leadership moments that spotlight lived experience, truth-telling, and grassroots action.
Propose a breakout session
Lead a workshop, panel, creative experience or collaborative session during the World Council programme. Your session could showcase a project, partnership, or idea that’s making a difference — or explore a challenge, insight, or innovation from which others across the YMCA Movement can learn.
Sessions should be engaging, relevant and rooted in the Vision 2030 pillars and one of the four programme themes above.
Breakouts are 60–90 minute interactive sessions designed to explore ideas, share learning, provoke discussion, and build new skills or insights among participants.
You can choose the format that best suits your breakout session. There’s no fixed definition — but here are some common approaches to consider:
· Workshops - interactive, hands-on session where participants actively take part — learning by doing, sharing, or creating
· Masterclasses - in-depth, expert-led session focused on developing advanced knowledge or skills in a specific area
· Lectures - a structured talk delivered by one speaker, typically with minimal interaction, to inform or inspire
· Roundtables - small-group discussion where all participants contribute equally, often exploring a topic from multiple perspectives
· Panel discussions - moderated conversation between multiple speakers, offering diverse viewpoints and followed by audience Q&A
· And others!
Why submit?
1. Take part in the official World Council 2026 programme
2. Share your work with a global YMCA audience
3. Connect with others tackling similar challenges
4. Influence conversations and future collaborations across the YMCA Movement
5. Celebrate everyday brilliance and grassroots leadership
6. Whether you’re leading a local youth project or scaling national solutions, your contribution matters.
7. Leading stories/submissions may be put forward for written or video case studies
Who should submit?
We welcome submissions from across the global YMCA Movement — from national offices, local associations, volunteers, staff teams, and young leaders.
You should consider submitting if:
· You’re doing something new, bold or effective in your YMCA, and want to share it with others
· You have experience or insight that connects to one of the Solutions Studio themes
· You want to propose a space for dialogue, learning or collaboration
· You know a young leader (aged 18–30) whose personal story would challenge, inspire or spark reflection from a global audience
· Whether you’re based in a large national office or a small local YMCA, if you have ideas or stories that could benefit the wider Movement, we want to hear from you.
Submissions are welcome in English, French and Spanish.
Consortium applications are particularly welcome from projects / initiatives / programmes that are a collaboration between multiple YMCAs.
We recommend informing your National Council of your application in advance, as all submissions will be shared with them for approval.
You don’t need to have all the answers — just a clear perspective, a commitment to attend World Council 2026, to shared learning, and a belief that the YMCA is stronger when we listen to each other.
Milestone
Applications open
Monday 13 October 2025
Submissions close
Sunday 23 November 2025
Review period
24–28 November 2025
Notifications sent
Monday 1 December 2025
Confirmations & Event registration by
Friday 19 December 2025
What you’ll need to submit
Depending on your submission type, you may be asked for:
· Your name, contact info and YMCA affiliation
· Title and short summary (for sessions or stories)
· Full description (200–400 words)
· Learning objectives (for sessions)
· Nominee/project details
· Speaker bios (if applicable)
· Relevant links or uploads
· Audio visual needs
We recommend reading the submission checklist before applying.
Ready to share your idea?
Click below to start your submission. You can return later to submit another.