Recognising the critical role of the EU Youth Sounding Board (YSB) in shaping youth policies and fostering youth engagement across the EU and its partner countries
Restless Development Zimbabwe is committed to building agency among young people through meaningful engagement, ensuring that they are not regarded as beneficiaries but as partners and leaders in shaping the policies and programs that affect them. As a result, it has taken on the task of supporting the EU Youth Sounding Board, a structure designed to provide young people in Zimbabwe with the opportunity to share their opinions on the European Union’s work in their country. Specifically, Restless Development Zimbabwe will provide technical and administrative assistance to the second YSB, establish a robust YSB Alumni Association, and set up the third YSB by the end of the current board’s tenure.
Our approach to achieving these objectives is grounded in our extensive experience in youth-led development, where we prioritise youth leadership, inclusivity and sustainability. We will leverage our proven methodologies, including Meaningful Youth Engagement and Gender Transformative Approaches, to ensure that the voices of young people are at the heart of all institutional and policy frameworks for the EU Delegation in Zimbabwe.
So far, the YSB has been engaged in monitoring EU grantee projects and exhibitions at the Harare Agricultural Show and the National Youth Symposium, where they raise awareness of the YSB’s role. They also supported YSB members’ participation in various forums where they could discuss the intersecting issues affecting young people. They have finally begun engaging in dialogue with the EU, advising and informing the EU on the priorities and situation of young people in Zimbabwe.
