Bridging the Gap: Youth-led Solutions for SDG Acceleration
20-24 April 2026, Nairobi, Kenya
From 20 to 24 April 2026, the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab – Power of the Collective, through Search for Common Ground, contributed to YOUTH FOR SDGs Week at the Kenya School of Government Premises in Nairobi, Kenya.
The forum brought together 600 participants, including youth representatives, youth organizations, regional policymakers, international development partners, national policymakers, ministers, and members of parliament.
Organized by Youth for SDGs Kenya, the Office of the IGAD Youth Envoy, the National Youth Council of Kenya, the Kenya Youth Parliamentarians Association, and other development partners, the activity took place under the theme “Bridging the Gap: Youth-led Solutions for SDG Acceleration.”
The event created a strategic space for young people and youth-led organizations to engage directly with policymakers, institutions, and development partners on the future of SDG implementation. Discussions focused on closing implementation gaps, strengthening youth participation in decision-making, advancing climate and governance priorities, and building inclusive multi-stakeholder partnerships.
According to the information submitted by the partner, the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab – Power of the Collective supported youth-led organizations in showcasing their work and increasing the visibility of youth-led advocacy within the SDG agenda.
The activity also connected youth-led solutions with national and regional policy processes. Expected outcomes include recommendations adopted by the Government of Kenya through the Office of the Permanent Secretary under the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Creative Economy. Additional recommendations were adopted for follow-up by the Office of the IGAD Youth Envoy, while further recommendations are expected to be taken forward during the high-level AFRSD forum in Addis Ababa.
As Diana Ouma, Executive Director of Youth for SDGs Kenya, shared:
“Youth should take up the spaces that have been created by the government to ensure their advocacy initiatives are at the forefront of SDGs implementation.”
