The YMCA Change Agent programme is a global leadership development programme to empower young leaders as change-makers in their own communities.
The fifth cohort of YMCA Change Agents began work on 5 April 2023, when 120 Change Agents from 57 countries met for the first time virtually. They had the chance to greet one another, meet in small groups, learn what to expect over the coming year, and hear from experienced YMCA leaders about how to make the most of the experience.
YMCA Change Agents are young volunteers and/or staff from YMCAs across the world who strengthen the YMCA so that the YMCA in turn can serve more young people. They participate in innovative and life-changing experiences including online and face-to-face training, mentoring and local project development for the expansion of youth services. They gain skills to help transform their YMCA and community and they build connections to an international network of other young leaders.
Change Agents in the new cohort will work in action learning teams across topic areas of shared interest aligned to the YMCA Vision 2030 Pillars of Impact and geographic regions.
Since 2014, 750 Change Agents have graduated from the Programme, and are leading change in 67 countries around the world.
