Application Deadline: 26 April 2023, 23:59 CET
The Youth Sounding Board aims to create a real, fundamental, long-lasting change in how the EU engages with young people in its development cooperation. Created in 2021 with a two-year term, the current cohort of the Youth Sounding Board (YSB) of DG INTPA is composed of 25 young people coming from across the world and with a deep commitment to youth engagement and empowerment.
The YSB is an advisory body to DG INTPA, composed of 25 young people from all over the world.
The YSB advises the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships and DG INTPA on youth participation and empowerment in EU external action. YSB members also exchange and advise on EU external action in areas such as employment, education, training and entrepreneurship, environment and climate change, human rights and democracy, peace and security, digitalisation and technology, gender, social inclusion and health, peace and security, culture, arts, media and journalism.
The Youth Sounding Board (YSB) is a group of young people who advise the Commissioner and the Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) on youth participation and empowerment in EU external action. This allows young people to have an influence on EU external action and international partnerships and thereby contributes to make EU action more participatory, relevant and effective for young people in EU partner countries, across all political priorities:
- Climate, environment and energy
- Digital and infrastructure
- Gender equality
- Human development
- Migration and forced displacement
- Peace and governance
- Sustainable growth and jobs
Eligibility criteria
All candidates must fulfil the following eligibility criteria
- be between the age of 18-30 at the end of the application period (26 April 2023)
- be available to devote at least 25 days per year to the YSB
- have a good command of English
- hold the nationality of, or be a resident in one of the eligible countries
Benefits
- Engagement in the YSB is voluntary. However, costs related to travel and meetings will be covered and a monthly allowance for coverage of data costs will be provided.
How it Works
- Through their work, YSB members represent the views of as wide a range of young people as possible, by reaching out to young people within and beyond their networks to gather their opinions and views.
- Members build links with similar structures and existing youth initiatives at international, regional and country level, both in the EU and in partner countries. They also respond to ad-hoc issues and requests, and take part in capacity-building activities in relation to their mandate.
- The 2023-2025 cohort will be involved in the implementation and dissemination of the EU Youth Action Plan.
Selection Procedure:
- The Youth Sounding Board (YSB) aims to be diverse and inclusive. It will bring together a range of opinions and experiences from across age groups, areas of interest and expertise, gender, socio-economic background and countries/regions – with specific attention to the regions in which the Directorate-General for International Partnerships is active like Sub-Sahara Africa, Latin America and Caribbean, Middle East, Asia and the Pacific and the EU, including diaspora communities.
- To ensure diversity, all motivated young people are welcome to apply, including those with less experience. Candidates with special needs, disabilities, in a situation of vulnerability or from minority groups are encouraged to apply.
- Members of the YSB will be selected via an open call for applications. Applicants can apply either as individuals, or be nominated by a youth organisation. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed before the final selection of 25 members is confirmed.
Selection Process
The selection process will be conducted in two stages according to the following indicative timeline
- First stage: all candidates will be informed of the outcome of the first stage (shortlist) of the application at the latest by 30 May 2023
- Second stage: shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews between 1-20 June 2023
- Final results: all shortlisted candidates will be informed of the final results by 30 June 2023.
Timeline
Applications have to be submitted in English by 23.59 (CEST) on 26 April 2023 via EUSurvey. Receipt of applications will be confirmed by email.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the European Union Youth Sounding Board