Our Story
EYCE is a strong network of young Christians from all over Europe who seek unity between Christians and are engaged in the work for justice, peace & the integrity of creation.
EYCE was founded in 1968, but its roots go back to just after World War II. In 1947, the World Council of Churches (WCC) began to organise annual meetings for those responsible for ecumenical youth work in the different countries of Europe. 1968 was a special year for youth and students throughout the world – these youth leaders decided to found their own organisation, later known as the Ecumenical Youth Council in Europe.
EYCE’s first General Meeting was held in October 1969 in Sweden. EYCE appointed its first full-time General Secretary in 1978. Its Secretariat has since moved from East-Berlin to Budapest, to Belfast and Helsinki. In 1999, a permanent office was established in Brussels.
As a Christian youth organisation, EYCE strives to represent young people in Europe as much as possible. EYCE works on an entirely ecumenical basis, and therefore considers itself to be part of the wider ecumenical movement. It wants to encourage Churches and Christian youth movements in Europe to strive towards the unity of all Christians. Its goal is not to form one church structure, but to look for a means to work together despite of different denominational viewpoints. This means working together to overcome such obstacles as nationalism, xenophobia, social exclusion and proselytism.
Many of the above mentioned obstacles are the result of a lack of information and the fear of the unknown. EYCE believes that bringing people together is the best way to foster mutual understanding between different Christian denominations and traditions. It tries to provide young people with a place to develop an understanding of the different expressions of faith in different denominations and countries.
In accordance with the decisions of the last EYCE General Meetings, a particular thematic focus is being put on social economic justice, inter-religious dialogue, ecumenical training and formation, human rights trainings, ecological justice, overcoming violence, HIV/AIDS, reconciliation and conflict management. In order to work on these themes, EYCE regularly organises seminars, study sessions, training courses, workshops and other meetings. Many times, EYCE member organisations organise activities that are open for participation from other EYCE members.
EYCE also offers support by providing international ecumenical news on the EYCE website, by providing contacts and networking amongst EYCE members and partners and by raising the concerns of EYCE member organisations towards the Churches, the ecumenical movement, the European Youth Forum and the European Institutions.
Our Vision
At EYCE, we envision an ecumenical youth platform that makes ecumenical cooperation dynamic, relevant, and engaging for young Christians across Europe. In this vision, ecumenism is more than a concept, it is a vibrant movement that young Christians feel inspired to be a part of and contribute to actively. EYCE is a space where:
- Youth are empowered and engaged: Young people are active participants in ecumenical cooperation, embracing their own faith traditions while showing respect and curiosity for the beliefs and practices of others. EYCE opens opportunities to encounter and learn from one another, creating lasting connections that transcend denominational, cultural, political and national lines.
- EYCE is a recognizable, inclusive force: Known across Europe, EYCE stands as a welcoming, inclusive platform that reflects and promotes the values of justice, peace, respect for creation, diversity, and human rights.
- A strong network of connection and support exists: EYCE fosters stability in its people and structures, offering a reliable, sustainable network that supports young Christians in their journey of faith and ecumenical discovery. By offering a strong network with its member organisations and being an access point to other European and international partners, we create a foundation for long-term, impactful cooperations.
- A space for sharing experiences, resources, and information: EYCE is a hub for exchanging ideas, experiences, and resources. Here, young Christians and member organisations can share and gather insights, enhancing their understanding of both ecumenical work and the pressing issues that communities across Europe are facing.
- Transformative dialogue on challenging issues: Our platform encourages open, respectful discussions about difficult or divisive topics, offering a safer space to explore complex questions. We facilitate conversations that address current political and social questions from a place of faith, providing inspiration for value-based answers. Those answers are poured into EYCE’s advocacy work also in youth political and international ecumenical networks.
- We come together in a shared Christian mission: While celebrating the diversity of Christian traditions, EYCE promotes community, and ecumenical education, drawing us together in the mission to serve God and each other. We want to foster open theological discourse between young people of all backgrounds.
In essence, we aspire to create an ecumenical platform where young Christians feel empowered to lead, cooperate, and engage in meaningful, impactful ways across Europe, united in faith, respect, and purpose.