Five months ago, I was thrilled to learn that I had been selected as one of 25 youths from across Tanzania to join the first-ever Youth Sounding Board (YSB) of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Tanzania. The YSBs are advisory bodies established by the EU to ensure that its actions align with the needs and aspirations of young people, particularly in countries like Tanzania.
The application process was tough and made me reflect deeply on my personal journey, but the reward has been more than worth it. As someone with a background in medicine and human capital development, serving on this board has been both an honour and a responsibility to which I am deeply committed.
It has allowed me to represent Tanzanian youth in shaping EU actions, particularly on matters related to health and skills development as key aspects of human capital growth.
Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to represent the Tanzanian YSB at the inaugural Global Gateway High-Level Youth Event in Brussels. This event brought together EU policymakers and young leaders from around the world to discuss the EU’s youth agenda, reflect on the achievements of the Youth Action Plan (YAP), the first-ever policy framework for a strategic partnership with young people globally and explore how youth can play a key role in shaping future EU initiatives.
This was my first trip outside Tanzania, and it was a whirlwind of experiences. Brussels, famous for its waffles and historic landmarks, felt both exciting and unfamiliar, especially with its cold weather compared to the warmth of Dar es Salaam. Despite these differences, I felt welcomed by the city and its people.
Youths’ vital role
The first day of the event kicked off with over 180 young people from different EU-funded youth networks. Martin Seychell, Deputy Director-General for EU International Partnerships (DG INTPA), set the tone, emphasising the vital role youth play in shaping the partnership between the EU and our countries.
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One of the highlights was a panel discussion featuring representatives from YSBs across different regions, including Tanzania. I was proud to see Tanzania’s presence highlighted by Raphael Denis, the only Tanzanian on the Global EU YSB, who shared his involvement in helping the EU Delegation to Tanzania establish the YSB and connect youth initiatives globally.
Interactive parallel sessions followed, and I participated in a workshop focused on pioneering climate action through the EU Youth4Foresight Toolkit. We worked on future climate scenarios and brainstormed innovative solutions.
It was my first time engaging in a foresight exercise. I took the opportunity to emphasise the intersection between climate change and health and advocate for preparedness and stronger emergency systems to mitigate health disparities caused by climate change.
One of the most anticipated sessions involved reviewing and refining the draft of youth recommendations for implementing the Youth Action Plan. This draft of recommendations was crafted through months of consultations with various youth structures before the event.
We split into three groups: Engage, Empower, and Connect. I participated in the Empower group, which focused on recommendations to combat inequalities and equip young people with skills and resources to thrive.
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By the end of the session, we consolidated recommendations from all groups to create the 2024 Youth Recommendations on International Partnerships for the Global Gateway High-Level Youth Event.
Optimism amid anxiety
The second day of the event saw even more participants, with nearly 1,000 youth joining both in person and online. There was a mix of excitement and some uncertainty as we wondered whether the next EU leadership, following the recently concluded European Parliament elections, would continue prioritising youth.
The outgoing EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, has been passionate about ensuring youth have a voice in EU initiatives. There was some anxiety about whether the incoming leadership would maintain this focus on youth participation.
However, when the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, addressed us via video message, she affirmed that “Global Gateway is about creating relationships and empowering young people.” She also announced plans to establish her own youth advisory board, which was a strong signal of the EU’s continued commitment to meaningful youth engagement.
Commissioner Urpilainen herself highlighted the achievements of the Youth Action Plan, including the establishment of 33 Youth Advisory Structures across various EU Delegations.
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She reaffirmed the importance of youth collaboration in addressing global challenges like education and inequality. Her words reminded us all of the power of youth unity and connection to drive meaningful change.
The event concluded with the presentation of the refined Youth Recommendations to Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen. It was a proud moment for us all because our recommendations have the potential to shape the future of EU external actions. Hearing her positive feedback was also reassuring.
I left Brussels with a renewed sense of motivation and commitment to advocating for youth-responsive initiatives in areas of climate intersection with health.
I returned home with a stronger network and potential collaborators for future projects with the Youth Sounding Board. I am grateful for the EU’s continuous youth engagement and commitment to empowerment.
A call to action
The Global Gateway Youth Event reinforced the importance of national youth structures like Youth Sounding Boards (YSBs) in shaping EU initiatives.
Advisory boards like these are an effective tool for institutions to engage directly with youth and ensure that young voices are heard in decision-making processes. Other institutions can learn from the EU’s example in establishing such structures.
Currently, 33 YSBs have been established worldwide, which is commendable, but more are needed. I call upon the EU to expand these efforts to additional countries and regions, particularly in East Africa, where we face shared challenges that require collective solutions.
Furthermore, as UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs Felipe Paullier stated during the event, institutionalising youth participation is essential. With such a young population in Tanzania, it’s time to establish a National Youth Council to ensure our voices are heard on matters that directly affect our present and future.
Pilly Ndobeji is a member of the European Union Youth Sounding Board in Tanzania. She’s available at ndobejipilly@gmail.com or on X as @PillyNdobeji. These are the writer’s own opinions, and they do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of The Chanzo. Do you want to publish in this space? Contact our editors at editor@thechanzo.com for further inquiries.
