YMCA Ireland has secured €250Kin Erasmus+ funding to lead PulseZ Goes Local, a new two-year European partnership running from October 2026 to September 2028.

Building on the success of the original PulseZ project in 2025, PulseZ Goes Local will bring youth-led media creation closer to local communities. The project will support young people aged 16–25 to develop skills in journalism, digital storytelling, media literacy and democratic participation, helping them understand the information they encounter online and share stories about the issues that matter to them.

At the heart of the project will be local PulseZ Media Labs, where young people can take part in practical training, workshops and peer-learning activities. With support from youth workers, trainers and media experts, participants will explore how to create engaging and responsible media content, critically assess information and use digital tools in their work. Local events will provide opportunities to showcase and engage their wider communities, while connecting their stories to the wider European PulseZ platform.

Coordinated by YMCA Ireland, the partnership brings together YMCA Europe, YMCA Arad (Romania), YMCA Gabrovo (Bulgaria), KFUM Distrikt Öst (Sweden) and digital partner Matrix Internet. Alongside creating opportunities for young people, the project will strengthen the capacity of local YMCA organisations to deliver youth-led digital initiatives and support young people to have a greater voice in public and democratic life.

This funding represents an important opportunity to build on YMCA Ireland’s work in youth advocacy, digital creativity and media literacy, while strengthening European cooperation and ensuring that young people’s perspectives can be heard both locally and across Europe.

PulseZ Goes Local is co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Programme.