The President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola received the Roots for Peace Award by YMCA Europe. The Roots for Peace Award aims to empower youths as peace builders.

Upon receiving the award, President Metsola said that she is deeply honoured to receive the award on behalf of the European Parliament. "Europe is a project of peace, and I am proud that the European Parliament continues to be a bastion of freedom, democracy and rights. At a time where our values ​​are being threatened, with two wars being fought on Europe's borders, we need more efforts to safeguard peace." President Metsola added that since its inception, the YMCA has sought to promote and protect young people's interests around the world, a goal shared by the European Parliament.

The President of the European Parliament thanked YMCA Europe for their commitment, "as we continue to empower the next generation of Europeans."

Founded in London on 6 June 1844, the YMCA is a global youth organisation with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, operating in 120 countries and serving over 64 million beneficiaries. It promotes Christian values through youth development programmes. The European Alliance of YMCAs, founded in 1973 and later renamed YMCA Europe, serves 36 national YMCAs with 29 full members. With a focus on inclusivity and adaptability, YMCA Europe impacts over 2,000,000 beneficiaries. YMCA offers diverse global services including accommodation, arts, camping, children's programs, education, health, publishing, sports, religion, and aquatics, focusing on youth development and community well-being.