Team Europe Youth Sounding Board Training in Zimbabwe: Strengthening

From 10 to 11 July 2025, the Team Europe Youth Sounding Board Refresher Training took place in Harare, Zimbabwe. The event, hosted by Restless Development Zimbabwe, in the framework of our programme, brought together 30 participants including representatives from the EU Delegation to Zimbabwe, Youth Sounding Board (YSB) members, the AU Youth Advisory Board, Youth Empowerment Fund, and other youth organizations.

The AU-EU Youth Voices Lab programme was represented by Natalie Gwatirisa, who joined the event as a member of our Youth Advisory Board. Her participation strengthened ties between the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab and the broader Team Europe YSB network, contributing to ongoing efforts to connect youth-led initiatives across platforms.

The training focused on collaborative planning and peer learning, providing space for participants to reflect on progress and prepare for the coming months. Sessions included cyber training and facilitated discussions, along with informal team-building activities aimed at fostering trust and synergy among stakeholders.

Natalie’s presence allowed for shared perspectives and learning between the YSB and Youth Advisory Board, reinforcing the programme’s commitment to meaningful youth engagement. As a result, new opportunities for joint action and knowledge exchange were identified, aligning with broader efforts to promote youth empowerment in policy-making spaces.

As Francisca Midzi stated, “Collaboration is key to amplifying our impact and creating lasting change in our communities.”