New Initiative Bridges a Global Community of Young Credit Union Professionals

MADISON, Wis.—World Council's Young Credit Union Professionals (WYCUP) program is launching the 10,000 Strong! campaign to highlight its efforts to create the largest global network of young credit union professionals.

Originally designed as a scholarship program to raise the voice of young professionals (YPs) on the global stage, WYCUP is expanding its framework to enrich professional journeys through global perspectives and increase engagement opportunities between YP networks around the world—ultimately energizing emerging leaders who are better prepared to lead financial cooperatives to a brighter future.

The 10,000 Strong! campaign formalizes the WYCUP Affiliates Network and Council, providing a new structure for YPs to connect and collaborate. At the grassroots level, the WYCUP Affiliates Network is open to all young credit union professionals and their advocates who share a desire to connect with peers around the world. By joining this free network, YPs connect their career paths with a world of opportunities and global engagement through WYCUP.

The WYCUP Affiliates Council is a monthly roundtable discussion among leadership from state/provincial, regional and national YP networks around the world—as well as advocates for YPs in jurisdictions where formal networks do not currently exist. In 2021, the WYCUP Affiliates Council will follow a thematic journey by:

• strengthening communication channels between local networks,
• supporting the formation of new local networks,
• expanding engagement opportunities and speaking roles for YPs at virtual events, and
• promoting an exchange of ideas to develop shared resources.

“This is an exciting time for WYCUP as we work to Bridge the Leadership Gap. After a year of separation, we’re coming back together stronger than before,” said Thomas Belekevich, WYCUP Director. “That strength comes from recognizing that our local efforts have a global impact when we collaborate effectively. WYCUP is expanding horizons by empowering youth to be part of the solution and—in the process—strengthening the relevance of financial cooperatives in the eyes of young professionals and members everywhere.”

WYCUP is Bridging the Leadership Gap as part of Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions' awareness and fundraising campaign called “Bridge the Gap,” which aims to help the global credit union movement bridge four key inclusion gaps that have been further exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

With the launch of the 10,000 Strong! campaign, WYCUP has redesigned its website and will convene the first monthly meeting of the WYCUP Affiliates Council on February 16. That gathering will include up to 70 representatives from local YP networks around the world.

Join the WYCUP Affiliates Network today and enrich professional journeys through financial cooperatives everywhere.

World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) is the apex association for credit unions and other global financial cooperatives. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.

World Council has implemented 300+ technical assistance programs in 90 countries. Worldwide, 74,634 credit unions in 104 countries serve 411 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.

Contact: Greg Neumann
Organization: World Council of Credit Unions
E-mail: gneumann@woccu.org
Phone: +1 608-395-2048

NOTE: Click on photos to view/download in high resolution.