The European Union Delegation to Kenya has opened applications for the second cohort of the EU Youth Sounding Board, offering 15 young Kenyan leaders an opportunity to contribute their perspectives to the EU–Kenya partnership.
The Youth Sounding Board brings together young people from different counties, communities, socioeconomic backgrounds and areas of expertise. Selected members will advise the European Union Delegation to Kenya on youth participation and empowerment while contributing to structured dialogue among young people, civil society organisations and the European Union.
The Board is looking for collaborative, community-minded young leaders who are already engaged in youth organisations, civil society organisations, community-based organisations, networks, movements or other collective initiatives.
Applications must be submitted by 31 August 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Nairobi time. The opportunity is voluntary, but reasonable expenses connected with participation will be covered by the META project.
EU–Kenya Youth Sounding Board at a Glance
| Program detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opportunity | Second cohort of the EU–Kenya Youth Sounding Board |
| Organiser | Delegation of the European Union to Kenya |
| Supporting initiative | Meaningful Engagement–Transformative Action for Structured CSO Dialogue in Kenya |
| Number of members | 15 |
| Eligible age | 18–30 during the implementation period ending in March 2028 |
| Eligible nationality | Kenyan citizens |
| Residency requirement | Applicants must reside in Kenya |
| Languages | English and/or Swahili |
| Participation format | Regular meetings, consultations, policy dialogues and related activities |
| Expected meeting frequency | Approximately one meeting per month |
| Nature of participation | Voluntary |
| Participation expenses | Reasonable participation costs will be covered |
| Application method | Online Google application form |
| Application deadline | 31 August 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Nairobi time |
| Anticipated onboarding | 9–13 November 2026 |
| Mandate period | Through March 2028 |
The current call was published by the European Union Delegation to Kenya on 7 August 2026.
What Is the EU–Kenya Youth Sounding Board?
The EU Youth Sounding Board is a consultative mechanism that enables young people to contribute to the European Union’s policies, partnerships, programmes and engagement in Kenya.
Its purpose is to ensure that decisions and programmes affecting young people are not designed without meaningful youth participation. Members provide advice, share community perspectives, identify emerging issues and help strengthen dialogue between young Kenyans, civil society and the European Union.
The Board is intended to make the EU’s actions in Kenya:
- More participatory by involving young people in relevant discussions and consultation processes.
- More inclusive by incorporating perspectives from different counties, communities and social groups.
- More relevant by connecting policies and programmes with the actual priorities of young Kenyans.
- More responsive by identifying challenges experienced by youth, including marginalised and vulnerable groups.
- More effective by allowing young people and civil society organisations to contribute to program design and implementation.
Members participate as individuals while drawing upon the experiences of the communities, organisations, networks and constituencies with which they are associated.
Background to the EU Youth Sounding Board Initiative
The European Union considers youth participation an important part of its international partnerships and external action. Under the EU Youth Action Plan 2022–2027, EU Delegations are encouraged to establish youth advisory mechanisms that can provide perspectives on country-specific priorities.
The Kenya Youth Sounding Board draws inspiration from the EU Global Youth Sounding Board, first established in 2021 to provide young people with a structured role in advising the European Commission on international partnerships.
The first EU–Kenya Youth Sounding Board was formally launched in 2024. It comprised 15 Kenyan leaders aged between 19 and 27 from different geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Its membership included representatives of pastoralist communities, refugees and persons with disabilities. The first cohort advised on program implementation and helped promote inclusive dialogue within the EU–Kenya partnership. Read about the first EU–Kenya cohort.
The second cohort is intended to build on that foundation and deepen structured youth participation in EU-supported dialogue and cooperation.
About the META Project
The second Youth Sounding Board is being constituted through the Meaningful Engagement–Transformative Action for Structured CSO Dialogue in Kenya project, commonly referred to as META.
META is a joint initiative of:
- The African Women’s Development and Communication Network, known as FEMNET.
- Stichting Women Engage for a Common Future International, known as WECF.
- The Delegation of the European Union to Kenya.
The initiative seeks to strengthen the ability of Kenyan civil society organisations to contribute to accountability, good governance and inclusive development. It also supports institutional platforms through which civil society can participate in EU–Kenya cooperation.
Its principal objectives include:
- Strengthening structured dialogue
META promotes regular, inclusive and meaningful engagement among Kenyan civil society organisations, local authorities and the European Union.
- Building civil-society capacity
The project supports the development of skills, knowledge and resources among civil society organisations, including youth organisations and women’s rights organisations.
- Improving coordination
META encourages information sharing, joint planning and coordinated implementation among Kenyan civil society actors to improve the impact of EU–Kenya cooperation.
- Creating institutional platforms
The project develops mechanisms through which civil society organisations and youth representatives can participate consistently in policy and development discussions.
The Youth Sounding Board functions as an important youth-participation mechanism within this wider civil-society dialogue framework.
How Will the Youth Sounding Board Work?
The Board will comprise 15 members selected from across Kenya. Its composition is expected to reflect the country’s social, cultural, geographic and demographic diversity.
Members will participate in approximately one meeting per month. The actual schedule will be determined by the work plan agreed between the Youth Sounding Board and the META consortium.
Participation may also involve:
- Structured policy dialogues.
- Consultations with the EU Delegation.
- Engagement with civil society organisations.
- Meetings with youth networks and community organisations.
- Contributions to planning and program-design processes.
- Participation in public or stakeholder events.
- Engagement with the Inclusive Dialogue Platform.
- Input into annual EU–Kenya civil-society forums.
- Capacity-development and networking activities.
- Representation in relevant project-governance structures.
Members will be expected to remain actively engaged throughout the implementation period ending in March 2028.
Responsibilities of Youth Sounding Board Members
Participate in structured dialogue
Members will support regular consultations, policy debates and structured discussions involving the European Union, civil society actors and different Kenyan communities.
These discussions may involve:
- Community-based organisations.
- Youth-led initiatives.
- Women’s organisations.
- Organisations representing persons with disabilities.
- Indigenous communities.
- Older persons and their representative groups.
- Civil society networks.
- Public authorities and other stakeholders.
Identify youth policy priorities
Members will help young people identify policy issues that directly affect them and bring those issues into the structured-dialogue process.
This may involve gathering community perspectives, consulting youth constituencies and presenting evidence-based recommendations.
Promote meaningful youth participation
The Board will help ensure that youth participation is substantive rather than symbolic. Members are expected to support young people’s involvement in identifying priorities, discussing policy options and contributing to the implementation of relevant initiatives.
Represent youth in project-governance structures
Youth representatives may participate in the project’s Steering Committee and contribute to planning dialogue mechanisms and other major activities under the META initiative.
Support the Inclusive Dialogue Platform
Members will support youth-led and youth-based organisations participating in the Inclusive Dialogue Platform. This platform enables civil society organisations to convene periodic dialogue events leading to an annual high-level EU–Kenya civil-society forum.
Contribute to priority areas of EU–Kenya cooperation
The dialogue process is expected to address major areas of EU cooperation with Kenya, including:
- Green transition
- Digitalisation
- Youth participation
- Civil-society engagement
- Inclusive development
- Governance and accountability
- Communication and public visibility
- Social and economic opportunities for young people
Advise the EU Delegation to Kenya
Board members may provide youth perspectives on:
- EU programming in Kenya.
- Design of new actions and initiatives.
- Policy development.
- Communication campaigns.
- Visibility plans.
- Program implementation.
- Youth participation and empowerment.
- Implementation of the EU Youth Action Plan.
Advise the META network
Members will contribute advice and recommendations concerning the current and future implementation of META activities.
Engage with communities and constituencies
Members must maintain active engagement with the communities, organisations or networks they represent. They should bring community experiences into Board discussions and communicate relevant outcomes back to their constituencies where appropriate.
Important Limitations and Confidentiality Requirements
Youth Sounding Board members do not become official spokespersons for the European Union.
Members must not:
- Claim to speak on behalf of the European Union Delegation to Kenya.
- Present themselves as authorised EU representatives.
- Speak officially for another country or region.
- Publish confidential Board discussions on social media.
- Share restricted documents or internal information.
- Use their membership in a manner inconsistent with the Board’s mandate.
Confidentiality is intended to create an environment in which members and EU representatives can engage in open, constructive and trusted discussions.
Before assuming their role, successful candidates will be required to sign:
- The Youth Sounding Board Terms of Reference.
- A Code of Conduct.
- A Declaration of Commitment.
Is the Youth Sounding Board a Paid Position?
Membership is voluntary. The official Terms of Reference do not advertise a salary, monthly stipend or employment contract.
However, reasonable expenses associated with participation will be covered by the META project. The precise support available for each physical meeting or activity will be explained in a logistical note issued before the event.
Applicants should therefore understand that this is a voluntary advisory and leadership commitment rather than paid employment. Expense coverage should not be interpreted as a salary or personal grant.
Benefits of Joining the EU–Kenya Youth Sounding Board
Practical policy-influencing experience
Members will gain experience contributing to policy discussions and advising an international institution on youth participation, development programming and public engagement.
Youth advocacy experience
Participants will strengthen their ability to articulate youth priorities, develop recommendations and promote meaningful youth inclusion.
National and international exposure
Members may engage with youth networks and initiatives at local, national, regional and global levels.
Representation of diverse youth voices
Board members can bring attention to the experiences of communities that may be underrepresented in conventional policy discussions.
Professional networking
The Board offers opportunities to connect with:
- Other young Kenyan leaders.
- Civil society professionals.
- Youth organisations.
- Community advocates.
- Policy practitioners.
- Representatives of the European Union.
- Mentors and subject-matter specialists.
- Organisations working on governance and development.
Leadership development
Participation can strengthen collaborative leadership, strategic thinking, planning and decision-making skills.
Communication development
Members will develop their ability to communicate with different audiences, participate in structured dialogue and present policy recommendations.
Improved understanding of EU–Kenya cooperation
Participants will gain greater knowledge of the European Union’s partnership with Kenya, including policy priorities, program design, communication and civil-society engagement.
Community impact
Members will be able to connect national and international policy dialogue with the lived experiences and priorities of the communities they serve.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must satisfy all the following requirements:
Citizenship
Applicants must be Kenyan citizens.
Residency
Applicants must reside in Kenya and be available to participate actively in meetings and related activities throughout the mandate.
Age
Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old during the project implementation period, which ends in March 2028.
Candidates approaching the upper age limit should carefully consider this wording and ensure that they meet the requirement for the implementation period.
Language
Applicants must have a good command of:
- English; and/or
- Swahili.
Youth and community engagement experience
Applicants must demonstrate active engagement and practical experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Youth participation
- Civic engagement
- Policy advocacy
- Volunteerism
- Community organising
- Youth leadership
- Civil-society engagement
- Youth-led projects
- Community development
- Social movements or networks
This experience should be connected with a recognised collective platform, such as:
- A youth-led organisation.
- A civil society organisation.
- A community-based organisation.
- A youth network.
- A social movement.
- A recognised community initiative.
- Another collective youth-participation mechanism.
Collaborative leadership
Applicants should demonstrate that they can work constructively with people from different communities, professions, identities and perspectives.
Constituency representation
Candidates should be able to represent the interests and perspectives of wider youth constituencies, not only their personal opinions.
Communication skills
Applicants should possess effective written and verbal communication skills and demonstrate appropriate use of social media.
Policy interest
Candidates should have an interest in:
- Policy advocacy.
- Governance.
- Youth participation.
- Civil-society dialogue.
- The EU–Kenya partnership.
No specific university degree or academic qualification is stated as a mandatory requirement.
Diversity and Inclusion
The second Youth Sounding Board is intended to reflect Kenya’s diversity.
Applications are encouraged from young people representing different:
- Counties and geographic areas.
- Ages within the eligible range.
- Genders.
- Socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Faiths.
- Abilities and disability statuses.
- Areas of expertise.
- Communities and constituencies.
- Levels of leadership experience.
Young people with different levels of leadership experience may apply. However, every applicant must demonstrate genuine commitment to collective action, civic participation and meaningful engagement.
The final selection will seek a balanced Board reflecting Kenya’s regional, social and demographic diversity.
What Does the Application Form Include?
The online form requests personal information and evidence of the applicant’s experience, motivation and potential contribution.
Applicants should be prepared to provide:
- Full name.
- Email address.
- Date of birth.
- Gender.
- County in which they currently operate.
- Disability information, where applicable.
- Details of membership in a youth network, organisation or movement.
- The name of the relevant organisation, network or movement.
- Two reference contacts, including phone numbers and email addresses.
- Information about areas of expertise or interest.
- Details of the applicant’s current role or involvement.
- Motivation for joining the Youth Sounding Board.
- A motivation video of up to five minutes in English or Swahili, as referenced in the form.
- A description of experience working with young people, including marginalised youth and young people in vulnerable circumstances.
- An example of how the applicant has used communication skills and personal influence to promote meaningful youth engagement in Kenya.
- Consent to the applicable data-protection and privacy arrangements.
Some written responses have a maximum limit of 200 words. Applicants should answer directly and provide specific, verifiable examples.
How Will Members Be Selected?
The selection process will consider both individual merit and the need to create a diverse and balanced Board.
Important considerations are expected to include:
- Compliance with citizenship, residency and age requirements.
- Genuine experience in youth or community engagement.
- Commitment to civic participation and collective action.
- Experience working through organisations, networks or community initiatives.
- Collaborative leadership ability.
- Communication and writing skills.
- Capacity to represent broader youth constituencies.
- Experience engaging marginalised or vulnerable young people.
- Interest in policy advocacy and governance.
- Motivation to contribute to the EU–Kenya partnership.
- Geographic, social and demographic diversity.
- Availability throughout the mandate.
- Accuracy and verifiability of the information supplied.
Applications will first be reviewed for shortlisting. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited for interviews, followed by reference checks and verification of their organisational affiliations, leadership experience and participation in youth-led initiatives.
Application and Selection Timeline
| Selection stage | Date |
| Application deadline | 31 August 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Nairobi time |
| Shortlisting outcome | By 30 September 2026 |
| Interviews | From or around 16 October 2026; shortlisted candidates should follow their invitation for the exact schedule |
| Reference and affiliation checks | 21–30 October 2026 |
| Final selection notification | 2 November 2026 |
| Formal onboarding and inception meeting | 9–13 November 2026 |
| End of implementation period | March 2028 |
The Terms of Reference should be consulted for the complete selection schedule and official requirements.
How to Apply
Applicants should complete the following steps:
- Review the official call
Read the official EU Delegation to Kenya announcement.
- Read the Terms of Reference
Download and carefully review the official Youth Sounding Board Terms of Reference.
- Confirm eligibility
Check the citizenship, residency, age, language, experience and availability requirements before preparing responses.
- Prepare reference information
The application form asks for two reference contacts connected with the applicant’s youth network, organisation or movement.
- Prepare written responses
Develop concise examples demonstrating leadership, youth engagement, community representation and communication skills. Observe the 200-word limits where stated.
- Prepare the motivation video
Applicants should prepare a motivation video of up to five minutes in English or Swahili, following the instructions provided in the form.
- Submit the online application
Complete the official Youth Sounding Board application form.
- Submit before the deadline
Applications must be submitted no later than 31 August 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Nairobi time.
Application Tips
Use specific examples
Do not rely on broad claims such as being passionate about youth empowerment. Describe actual initiatives, responsibilities, communities reached and results achieved.
Demonstrate collective leadership
Show how you worked with others, built consensus, responded to disagreement and supported shared objectives.
Explain your constituency
Identify the communities or youth groups with which you work and explain how you will bring their perspectives into the Board.
Show experience with inclusion
Provide evidence of engagement with marginalised communities, persons with disabilities, vulnerable young people, rural youth or other underrepresented groups where applicable.
Connect experience to policy
Explain how community-level experience has helped you understand broader policy, governance or development challenges.
Prepare your references
Inform your two reference contacts before submitting their details. Confirm that their phone numbers and email addresses are correct.
Respect the word limits
Use the available space for evidence rather than lengthy background information. Each response should answer the exact question.
Make the motivation video focused
The video should communicate:
- Why you want to join the Board.
- What experience you bring.
- Which youth communities you understand or represent.
- How you will contribute to collaborative dialogue.
- What you hope to achieve through the mandate.
Be accurate
The selection process includes reference checks and verification of organisational affiliations and leadership experience. Do not exaggerate roles, achievements or community reach.
Submit early
Do not wait until the final evening. Uploading a video and completing detailed responses may take longer than expected.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is:
Monday, 31 August 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Nairobi time
Applications submitted after the deadline may not be considered.
Conclusion
The second cohort of the EU–Kenya Youth Sounding Board offers 15 young Kenyan leaders a meaningful opportunity to influence youth participation, civil-society dialogue and the wider EU–Kenya partnership.
Selected members will engage in policy discussions, represent community perspectives, advise the European Union Delegation and contribute to initiatives concerning governance, green transition, digitalisation and inclusive development. They will also gain practical experience in youth advocacy, collaborative leadership, strategic communication and policy engagement.
The commitment is voluntary and requires consistent participation, approximately one meeting per month, community engagement and strict confidentiality. Reasonable participation expenses will be covered, but the opportunity does not offer a salary or personal grant.
Eligible Kenyan citizens residing in Kenya should review the Terms of Reference, prepare evidence-based responses and submit the online application by 31 August 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Nairobi time.
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