Youth Sounding Board for EU International Partnerships
In 2021, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen launched the first Youth Sounding Board for EU International Partnerships. The aim is to create a real, fundamental, long-lasting change in how the EU engages with young people in its development cooperation.
Composed of 25 individuals from around the world and selected via an open application process, the Youth Sounding Board is a space for young people to have an influence on EU external action, ensuring it is more participatory, relevant and effective for young people in EU partner countries.
Special Adviser on Youth
Commissioner Urpilainen has also appointed a Special Adviser on Youth, Ms Qyira Yusri from Malaysia.
The first Special Adviser on Youth, appointed in 2021, was Ms Bitania Lulu Berhanu from Ethiopia.
Youth advisory structures in EU Delegations
A number of EU Delegations (diplomatic representations of the EU around the world) have established national youth advisorystructures adapted to local country contexts.
These structures encourage the engagement of vulnerable and marginalised youth, including those from rural areas, for example
- Team Europe Youth Sounding Board in Zimbabwe
- Youth Sounding Board in Nigeria
- Youth Network in Mauritius
- Youth Sounding Board in Ethiopia
- The engagement of EU Delegation of Senegal with Consortium Jeunesse
- Youth Sounding Board in Nepal.
In addition, a network of youth focal points in EU Delegations worldwide play an important role in ensuring a coherent and coordinated approach to youth engagement in our partner countries, integrating youth perspectives into EU external action.
Overseas Countries and Territories Youth Network
The Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) Youth Network pro-actively seeks the support of youth to partner with them to foster sustainable development, and acknowledge and enhance the contribution of youth in pursuing positive social changes worldwide.
The first OCT Youth Network was established in 2022 and connects 25 young people from 10 OCTs to each other, and with EU institutions and decision makers.
A second edition of the network will start work in July 2023.
