Our way strategy proposal

OUR WAY STRATEGY PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

2014 TO 2018

4th Version March 2014

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www.ymca.int World 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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Our way strategy proposal