ECyD is an international Catholic youth organization affiliated with the movement Regnum Christi and in close contact with one of the branches of its federation, the congregation of the Legionaries of Christ.

[citation needed] From 2008 to today there have been a series of meetings of lay people, Legionaries, and consecrated members of Regnum Christi met to update ECyD's mission and identity.

[citation needed] In 2008, Sonia González was asked to make a new international model based on the experiences of various ECyD groups over the past years.

[4] Around the early 2010s, ECyD's future was discussed among Catholic groups, as it is related to that of the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi movement who underwent a time of direct Vatican control and purging of corrupt elements, from 2011 until 2019.

ECyD members share in this spirituality by making commitments to guide them in their relationship with Christ and to help them become authentic Christians.

[6] ECyD members strive to develop the virtues of charity, sincerity, friendship, purity, generosity, and joy.

Participating in these organizations fulfill ECyD members’ apostolic commitments whether through activities in their clubs (Challenge or Conquest) or missionary work through Mission Youth.

Challenge's mission is "to evangelize and transform the world by forming today’s young girls to give their very best to others so that Christian culture will prevail in the hearts of everyone they meet."

Challenge uses virtues education, Gospel reflections, service projects and activities to help girls develop and grow in their Catholic faith.

Similarly to Challenge, Conquest promotes development of virtue, leadership, character, and spiritual growth "within an atmosphere of adventure."

[14] Mission Youth is an apostolic group affiliated with Regnum Christi and the Legionaries of Christ that gives teens and young adults ages 14 and older the opportunity to evangelize.

Sonia González and Fr José García Sentandreu lead the specific wing dedicated to ECyD.

[citation needed] The criticism of ECyD relates primarily to the controversies surrounding the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi such as issues with dioceses and the sexual scandal of Marcial Maciel.