The project “Technical Assistance to support the Malawi Youth Sounding Board (2025–2027)” contributes to the European Union’s commitment to promoting inclusive governance, youth participation, and responsive policymaking in Malawi. It is implemented in the context of a youthful population facing persistent challenges related to unemployment, socio-economic exclusion, and limited participation in decision-making processes, while at the same time representing a key asset for the country’s long-term development.
Overall Objective:
The overall objective of the project is to empower Malawian youth by actively involving them in the shaping, monitoring, and dissemination of European Union initiatives, ensuring that EU actions in Malawi are inclusive, relevant, and aligned with the aspirations and needs of young people, particularly those who are most vulnerable. By strengthening youth participation, the project supports the EU Youth Strategy and contributes to democratic governance, social inclusion, and sustainable development in Malawi.
Specific Objective
The specific objective of the project is to provide comprehensive technical, administrative, and communication support to the Malawi Youth Sounding Board (MW-YSB), enabling it to efficiently and effectively implement its mandate as an advisory and consultative body to the EU Delegation in Malawi.
Project Description
To achieve these objectives, the Technical Assistance supports the day-to-day functioning and strategic positioning of the Malawi Youth Sounding Board. It facilitates regular and structured dialogue between the EU Delegation and Youth Sounding Board members, ensuring that youth perspectives are systematically integrated into EU programmes, policies, and initiatives. The project also supports the organisation and coordination of Youth Sounding Board participation in EU events, programme activities, and exchanges with national, regional, and international stakeholders.
A strong emphasis is placed on capacity building and skills development. The project designs and delivers demand-driven training activities tailored to the needs of Youth Sounding Board members, equipping them with the knowledge and competencies required to engage meaningfully in policy dialogue, advocacy, monitoring, and communication. In parallel, the project strengthens linkages between the Youth Sounding Board and existing youth networks, civil society organisations, and institutions across Malawi, thereby reinforcing outreach, inclusiveness, and representativeness.
The Technical Assistance further develops monitoring and feedback mechanisms that allow young people to collect, analyse, and synthesise youth perspectives on EU-supported initiatives. These insights are consolidated into regular reports that inform the EU Delegation’s programming and implementation processes. In addition, the project supports the development and implementation of a communication and visibility strategy aligned with the EU Delegation’s Strategic Communication framework, enhancing the visibility of youth engagement and EU actions among Malawian youth.
Finally, the project contributes to the sustainability of youth engagement by supporting the establishment and operationalisation of a Youth Sounding Board Alumni Network, ensuring continuity, institutional memory, and long-term impact beyond individual mandates. Through these combined actions, the project strengthens the role of Malawian youth as active partners in EU cooperation and national development processes.