YAF, Youth Across Frontiers (Europe, Youth and You) is local association of young people in Loughborough, which is working towards mutual understanding and respect, through cultural exchanges and the development of cohesion among the multi-ethnic communities within the university town of Loughborough, the Borough of Charnwood and Leicestershire. A significant feature of the programme involves fostering  European and wider international links with other youth organisations. Loughborough itself lies at the heart of the Three Cities Area - Nottingham, Leicester and Derby in the UK East Midlands, all with significantly diverse populations from BME groups, travellers, and refugee families to the UK .

YAF was set up in 2004 by young people and students as well as academic and professional advisers who come from a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds, but who all have a keen commitment to European integration and global affairs. The members of YAF come from Loughborough University, Loughborough College, local state and independent schools and different neighbourhoods, both urban and rural. We work closely with local organisations, such as Charnwood Racial Equality Council (CREC), Charnwood Volunterary Service, International Students Association. YAF also joins national and European youth activities, and cooperates with partners which have included the British Youth Council, Council of Europe - Directorate of Youth and Sports, Minorities of Europe (MoE), UNITED Network Against Racism and Women from Minorities (WFM) among others.

YAF is an active supporter of the 'All Different, All Equal' campaign by the Council of Europe and European Commission's European Year of Equal Opportunities in 2007. Till now, YAF has successfully participated in various projects under the framework of European Communities YOUTH Programme and gave the opportunities to young people (particularly minority youth and those with less opportunities) in Loughborough and Charnwood to experience and learn different European cultures and build up friendships and eventurally enrich their European citizenship.

The Executive Director of YAF is a Trustee of CREC and has advised the House of Commons Immigration and Home Affairs Select Committee, Leicestershire, County Council on issues regarding foreign students in the UK, and was awarded the prestigious Sir Robert Martin Award by Loughborough University for his excellent community service.

Advisory Board:
Honourary President - Councillor David Parsons, Chair of the East Midlands Regional Assembly and Leader of Leicestershire County Council; Full Member of the European Union Committee of the Regions

Honourary Chairman - Councillor Peter Lewis, Leicestershire County Council & Charnwood Borough Council; Chair of the Charnwood Racial Equality Council (CREC)

Honourary Chairwoman - Professor Dr Morag Bell, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Teaching), Professor of Cultural Geography, Loughborough University