CASE STUDY YMCA

YMCA turns crisis into capability

Helping refugees rebuild their lives through language, digital training, and employment pathways

3-MINUTE READ

A human centered approach to integration, by the numbers*

52,000

or more individuals participated in skilling activities

30,000

or more reported substantive life improvements

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Delivering resilience amid uncertainty

On February 24, 2022, Kateryna Vyshnevskaya’s life in Kherson, Ukraine changed overnight. Her city fell under occupation within days, and strict curfews, food shortages, and infrastructure collapse became part of daily life. With little choice, Vyshnevskaya fled to Romania, carrying only a few essential items.

Her story is one of many. As millions of Ukrainians were displaced, Accenture mobilized emergency aid—but quickly recognized that long-term resilience would require more than immediate relief. In partnership with YMCA Europe, Accenture helped launch a scalable, community-based model to empower refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) through language training, digital skills, and employment pathways.

Why this work matters

An untapped talent pool

Displaced people bring drive, resilience, and transferable skills. Overlooking them means missing high-potential candidates ready to contribute.

Workforce built to last

Integrating displaced talent strengthens teams and builds organizational resilience — creating a workforce that adapts and performs under pressure.

Reputation that sticks

Social impact initiatives signal values in action. Stakeholders — from investors to employees — place greater trust in organizations that give back.

Partnerships that scale

Cross-sector collaboration unlocks resources, reach, and expertise no single organization can achieve alone — driving change that lasts and grows.

Leaders who set the bar

Senior leaders who champion this model create a blueprint others can follow — amplifying impact far beyond the walls of their own organization.

Real stories, real impact

With the YMCA’s help, Ukrainian refugees are reshaping their futures by gaining new skills, securing work, and rebuilding hope.

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Kateryna Vysnevskaya, server, Pressco, Baia Mare, Romania

Arriving in Romania with little more than hope, Kateryna Vyshnevskaya found comfort in helping others like herself at the YMCA. Through language classes and new friendships, she discovered a sense of belonging—and now, working at a local coffee shop, she’s building a future she once thought impossible. “I feel so safe with YMCA, and I really want to stay in Romania. I'm dreaming a lot and trying to organize everything with small steps,” she says.

Siirchenko Andrii, CEO, ROUA AGRO SIRC, Baia Mare, Romania

Siirchenko Andrii, a Ukrainian entrepreneur from Sinelnikove, arrived in Romania with limited language skills. Through YMCA’s Romanian courses and job cafés, he built connections and explored new paths. Formerly holding agricultural patents in Ukraine, he pivoted to launch one of the first Ukrainian-owned online consumer goods shop in Baia Mare. “Language was the first challenge,” he said. “I want to stay here and build something new.”

Maryna Storozhuk, psychologist, Bratislava, Slovakia

Maryna Storozhuk, a psychologist from Ukraine, found herself in Bratislava, Slovakia, where she began organizing language courses and excursions for fellow refugees. With YMCA’s support, she is now working to open a neuropsychology practice for children. “It was hard to become part of this community, but now I work with Ukrainians and feel I can stay here. It’s safer, and I can provide for my family,” she said.

Nataliia Tyzhuk, Movement Development Secretary, YMCA, Kyiv, Ukraine

Nataliia Tyzhuk fled Kyiv with her teenage son within 30 minutes of hearing early-morning bombings, carrying only documents and money. Expecting a brief displacement, she instead joined a YMCA in western Ukraine weeks later to support other IDPs. Over 10 months, she learned English and digital skills before returning to Kyiv to take on a leadership role with YMCA Ukraine, helping others rebuild independence.

WHAT WE DO

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The initiative’s success stems from its decentralized model, which puts local YMCA chapters in the driver’s seat. Each eDU Hub (short for educational hub) is staffed with trained coordinators, mental health professionals, and employment counselors, creating a supportive environment tailored to each community. A strong monitoring and evaluation framework keeps the program accountable and evolving.

What makes each hub unique is its ability to respond to local needs—whether it’s digital literacy courses in Moldova or Java programming in Slovakia, the training aligns skilling offerings for refugees with real market demand.

Thanks to Accenture grants and volunteers, a growing network of eDU Hubs and Mobile Centers now spans Ukraine, Romania, Moldova, Slovakia, and Germany. These safe, connected spaces offer more than just learning—they provide mental health support, vocational training, and clear pathways to employment.

Building futures and changing lives

Accenture’s goal to skill 16,000 refugees and migrants by June 2026 has already been met early with the help of YMCA as one of its major partners– proving that inclusive, sustainable impact is possible at scale. The YMCA program’s success has earned recognition from the European Union, including co-funding from the European Social Fund and a feature in the European Year of Skills.

Looking ahead, we will focus on building cross-sector partnerships, standardizing integration approaches, and engaging policymakers to drive lasting, systemic change that restores dignity, builds futures, and strengthens communities across Europe.

“We believe refugees are a source of untapped talent. Supporting them not only strengthens their careers but also the resilience of the communities where they live and work,” said Juan Simoes Iglesias, Secretary General, YMCA Europe. “A refugee stops being a refugee when they get a job.”

MEET THE TEAM

Lucy Murdoch

Managing Director – Corporate Citizenship

Katherine Willis

Senior Manager – Corporate Citizenship

Anita Lopez

Manager – Corporate Citizenship

Onkar Singh

Manager – Corporate Citizenship

YMCA turns crisis into capability

A human centered approach to integration, by the numbers*