Youth Friendly Standards Webinar to strengthen youth inclusion awareness

On 25 July 2025, ComDev Africa hosted the Youth Friendly Standards Information Webinar under the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab – Power of the Collective programme. The online session gathered 150 participants from across Africa and Europe, including civil society organizations, ambassadors, entrepreneurs, young citizens, and consortium representatives. The webinar introduced the Youth Friendly Standard (YFS), a practical framework designed to strengthen youth inclusion in institutions and organizations. By presenting the YFS as a strategic tool, the session encouraged participants to reflect on ways to integrate youth participation mechanism exchange of experiences highlighted the growing need for institutions to adopt inclusive into their structures and decision-making processes.

Key discussions focused on how the YFS could improve youth-responsive practices, enhance collaboration with young leaders, and support meaningful engagement. The policies that give young citizens a stronger voice. The event also contributed to the wider objectives of the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab programme, particularly its goal of supporting at least 100 organizations in implementing youth inclusion policies. By raising awareness and motivating stakeholders, the webinar played an important role in advancing collective efforts toward more participatory governance.