In addition to the core HP life digital education program that the YMCA has been implementing for the third year at the Bitola Youth Center, the YMCA has expanded its offering with new digital programs through the Gaming Garage HP platform. These additional courses introduced young people to creative digital industries, including video game development, e-sports, programming, visual design, and digital storytelling. Designed to be understandable even for beginners, these courses combine creativity and technology and offer opportunities for access to modern, global, and fast-growing professions.

The four-week hybrid program which was implemented this spring, combined online learning with live meetings at the Youth Center. Participants could individually or in teams learn from the online courses and exchange ideas with their peers. The program additionally included a study visit to a local gaming company where young people could get acquainted with real job positions and industrial processes in creating a game for the gaming market. In addition to these regular educational activities, the YMCA also activated the local community through two special Gaming Garage tournaments organized at the Youth Center. The tournaments were realized in two rounds, in spring and autumn as special events that encouraged young people to get involved, have fun and compete by playing some of the games they had the opportunity to learn about during the educational activities and meetings. The Gaming Garage tournaments were conceived as much more than games – participants had the opportunity to learn about the best free online courses for game design and the use of digital creativity in game creation, showing them that their hobby can grow into a skill or a future employment opportunity. Upon completion, participants receive an official certificate from HP and edX.
These initiatives are open to all young people from 15 to 30 years old, regardless of previous experience. Curiosity, a desire to learn and an interest in IT technology are enough.

Both programs HP LIFE courses and Gаming Garage are implemented in partnership with HP Inc. and YMCA Europe and are part of the wider HP E-Sports and Video Game Development Academy of HP. Through continuous training, joint events, and access to cutting-edge digital resources, the YMCA continues to motivate young people to learn, create, collaborate, and build the digital skills they will need in the future.