Youth Coalition members to finish stint as members of EU Youth Sounding Board

Our Youth Coalition members Omnia el Omrani (Egypt) and Deepanshu Gupta (India) will finish their stints as members of the EU Youth Sounding Board (YSB) for the Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) this July 2023. Their term ran from 2021. They were part of 25 selected members made up of a diverse group of talented, committed, and inspiring young people from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the Pacific and Latin America, and the Caribbean, as well as Europe

As members of the YSB, Omnia and Deepanshu gave important feedback and insights on different social issues. As part of the Board, they were able to influence EU external action and international partnership issues that directly and indirectly affect young people. As a result, the DG INTPA was able to create solutions that were more participatory, relevant, and effective for the EU and its partner countries.

One of the outputs of the YSB was the creation and publication of the report “Meaningful Inclusion of Youth: A Promising Future”. The document is based on their consultations in the content of the Youth Action Plan in EU external action, the first-ever policy framework for strategic partnership with young people around the world. 

The Meaningful Inclusion of Youth Report highlights the voices of young people from around the world about the challenges they face. It also includes a presentation of their solutions and efforts to make a difference. 

Through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and online survey forms available in at least six different languages, the YSB was able to connect with young people and come up with a list of issues most relevant to youth.

As the first cohort of the YSB finishes its term, the DG INTPA has opened the call for applications for young people to participate in the second edition of the EU Youth Sounding Board for International Partnerships (2023-2025).

The second cohort would be composed of 25 members aged 18–30 from the EU and across the world (see list of eligible countries). Applicants are required to have a good command of English and practical experience in youth participation processes, youth policies, or to have engaged in youth organizations and/or in youth-led initiatives. Youth organizations are able to nominate individuals, but all members will participate in their individual capacity, serving a mandate of two years. 

The deadline for applications is Wednesday, 26 April 2023, 23:59 CET.