Mbabane- The European Union has launched a competitive call for applications to fill 15 positions on its Youth Sounding Board (YSB) targeting skilled and driven young people aged 18 to 35 years.
The Youth Sounding Board is an initiative under the EU Youth Action Plan and plays a key role in promoting youth participation, social inclusion, and skills development. It provides a structured platform for engagement between young people, the EU, its Member States, and other stakeholders.
EU Chargé d’Affaires, José Becerra Marta, said the programme builds on the success of the inaugural cohort, whose term comes to an end on 30 April after three years of service.
“Our experience with the first cohort of the YSB has been impactful and we invite young people around the country to apply for the second cohort as this is a very empowering opportunity,” he said. “The future of Eswatini will largely depend on the ability to provide young people with opportunities for employment, education, health and access to decision-making processes,” he added.
The YSB advises the EU Delegation on a wide range of issues affecting youth, including employment, education, entrepreneurship, climate change, human rights, and social inclusion. It also creates opportunities for young people and youth organisations to share their views, engage in dialogue, and contribute to shaping EU-supported initiatives in the country.
The board is designed to reflect diversity and inclusivity, bringing together voices from different backgrounds across Eswatini’s four regions, regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, or life situation.
During its tenure, the outgoing YSB cohort of 12 members led several impactful engagements, including the Khululeka Mental Health Seminar, the Green Round Table, an Erasmus+ Youth Capacity information session, and a Youth Empowerment Fund opportunities session. They also collaborated with the Eswatini National Youth Council on events such as World Youth Skills Day and International Youth Day.
YSB Chairperson Busiswa Dlamini encouraged young people not to miss the opportunity, describing it as transformative.
“Being part of the YSB will capacitate and empower you as a young person. It also allows you to be hands-on in key development issues. While it is voluntary, you gain exposure and professional growth,” she said.
Dlamini added that her experience on the board enabled her to travel internationally, including to Belgium, where she engaged with other young people on global issues.
Worth noting, to qualify, applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old by the end of the application period, have a good command of English, and be available to dedicate at least 25 days per year to YSB activities on a voluntary basis. No prior experience is required.
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