CALL FOR ADDITIONAL CANDIDATES FOR THE 2ND YOUTH
SOUNDING BOARD OF ETHIOPIA

 

What is the EU Youth Sounding Board for International Partnerships?

The EU Youth Sounding Board Ethiopia (YSB) is a platform designed to empower Ethiopian youth and youth-led organizations. The YSB creates opportunities for young people to express, connect, and exchange views. It allows young people to influence EU external action and international partnerships.

The EU Youth Sounding Board Ethiopia was established in 2022. It is part of a broader initiative, the Global EU Youth Sounding Board, which advises the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela on youth-related topics, such as education, employment, climate change, human rights, and more.

Launched in June 2024, the 2nd Cohort of the Youth Sounding Board Ethiopia comprises 18 young people from across Ethiopia with practical experience in youth participation processes and policies or who are engaged in youth organizations and youth-led initiatives.

The YSB provides young people in Ethiopia with a unique opportunity to network, build capacities and help shape EU programmes. The YSB Ethiopia works on employment, education, training and entrepreneurship, environment and climate change, human rights and democracy, peace and security, digitalization and technology, gender, social inclusion and health, peace and security, culture, arts, media and journalism.

The continuation of the YSB is one of the institutional commitments foreseen in the Youth Action Plan(YAP) in EU External Action to step up meaningful youth participation. Adopted in October 2022, the YAP is putting forward a vision and partnership with young people as essential actors of change for more democratic, equal, inclusive, and peaceful societies.

Background

The Global Youth Sounding Board was launched by the European Commission’s Directorate General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) in 2021 with a two-year term. The Global Youth Sounding Board of DG INTPA comprises young people worldwide with a deep commitment to youth engagement and empowerment.

The YSB advises the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships and DG INTPA on youth participation and empowerment in EU External Action. It contributes to making EU actions more participatory, relevant and effective for young people in EU partner countries.

 

  1. How will the YSB work?

The Selected members will work with the EU Delegation in Ethiopia on various youth-related topics, including education, employment, climate change, and human rights, contributing to the decision-making process and shaping EU initiatives in Ethiopia.

YSB members will participate in their individual capacity and serve for the remaining time of the second cohort. They will engage in activities aiming at:

  • Providing advice to the EU Delegation in Ethiopia on youth policies, especially youth participation and empowerment.
  • Supporting the implementation of Youth Action Plan in Ethiopia.

For this purpose, the YSB members will, among other things:

  • Participate in at least three or more YSB plenary meetings per year, both in person in Addis Ababa, and virtually;
  • Be involved in the implementation and dissemination of the EU Youth Action Plan;
  • Discuss and contribute to ad-hoc issues and requests;
  • Build links with similar structures and existing youth initiatives at regional, country, regional and district levels;
  • Participate in capacity-building activities

The YSB members are also encouraged to come up with their initiatives and ideas for projects, events and campaigns that strengthen youth action in Ethiopia in line with EU priorities.

 

  1. How can I become a member of the YSB Ethiopia?

The YSB Ethiopia aims to bring together a diverse group of young people from across areas of interest and expertise, gender, and regions/districts. Candidates with special needs, disabilities, situation of vulnerability or from minority groups are encouraged to apply.

All candidates must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

  • Be between the age of 18 – 30 at the end of the application period (February 28th 2025)
  • Devote at least 25 days per day to the YSB
  • Have an excellent command of English
  • Be an Ethiopian citizen with a valid passport

The Youth Sounding Board meeting and activities with the EU delegation will be conducted in English. It is therefore imperative that all applicants demonstrate an ability to speak and write English.

Members of the YSB are expected to engage for approximately 25 days per year (including the meeting days). The exact number of days will depend on the work plan created and agreed upon by the YSB and EU Delegation covering key themes and related activities.

The YSB membership is unpaid, but travel and meeting costs are covered for participants in line with the European Union rules and regulations.

 

  1. How to apply

Applications have to be submitted in English by February 28th, 2025, at 23:59 EAT via: (Survey link).

Required documents include:

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV),
  • Copy of your passport, and
  • Motivation letter.

Candidates can choose one of the following two options:

Option A: Individual Application

Individual candidates can apply to become members of the YSB. They will be selected based on:

      • Experience in youth participation and youth empowerment;
      • Outreach and youth engagement skills and experience, including work with youth organizations or youth-led initiatives and experience with youth that are in disadvantaged or vulnerable situations;
      • Communication skills including language skills and experience with traditional and social media;
      • Creativity and motivation, including ideas for YSB functioning and activities.

Option B. NOMINATION BY AN ORGANISATION

Youth organizations can nominate two individuals, preferably with a diverse profile both in terms of age and gender, to become members of the YSB. Each nominated candidate must apply individually. Candidates will be requested to upload a pdf-scan of the signed nomination letter and provide further information about their organization. Please find the nomination letter template on our website.

The selection will be based on two aspects:

(1) the profile of the organizations, taking into account:

      • Experience in strengthening youth participation and contribution to policy processes (consultations, advocacy)
      • Potential for outreach to youth (membership base, networks, possibility to reach vulnerable and marginalized youth)
      • Geographical coverage (the organization should be active in the eligible counties, with priority given to international youth organizations/ networks active at regional and/or global levels. Please find the list of eligible countries on our website.

(2) the profile of the nominated candidates, based on the same criteria as described under option

 

Timeline

The selection process will be conducted in two stages according to the following indicative timeline:

  1. Shortlist of candidates – March 6th
  2. Announcement of the results – March 10th

 

Selection procedure

Selection procedure of candidates includes an online application from submitted through the EU survey mentioned earlier in this document followed by an interview for shortlisted candidates.

  1. Online application
  2. Interview

Only shortlisted Candidates will be contacted.

Please be aware that no confirmation e-mail will be sent. As we expect a high number of applications, we advise you to apply well before the deadline to prevent potential technical issues. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

The EU Delegation might ask for further documentation and proof of information provided in the application form during the selection process from the shortlisted and selected candidates. The selected candidates will be requested to provide a copy of their documents to prove they meet the eligibility criteria.