Youth Sounding Board (YSB) is a consultative space for Nepalese youth to have an influence on the EU’s actions by making it more participatory, relevant, and effective for them. It is an all-inclusive multi-sectorial platform of engagement designed to bring together youth voices to guide the EU’s development cooperation in Nepal.

The YSB started under Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen’s leadership, with the formation of a global YSB, and similar boards have been formed in other Delegations around the world. In Nepal, Youth Sounding Board is being implemented by the EU's three grantees on youth, which were awarded to Youth Innovation Lab, Oxfam, and Helvetas and consortium members respectively.

Twenty three YSB members participated in the orientation event and each day of the orientation was planned to be interactive, informative, engaging, and participatory. The first day was all about learning to trust each other, listen to each other and lead the way with exercise and physical activities. YSB members were oriented about code of conduct, and it was collectively discussed and agreed by all members followed by contract signing. The first day was wrapped up with interaction of the EU Ambassador Her Excellency Nona Deprez with YSB members about their aspirations, interest, and purpose of being a part of YSB in Nepal.

The second day was about orienting the new members on the European Union, its actions in Nepal as well as Nepal’s own youth strategy, presented by the National Youth Council. It also focused on the three thematic areas that the youth grant awardees work on - climate change, gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) and governance. They brainstormed project ideas related to these themes, from which they will develop and implement thematic action plans. At the end of the day, they had an interactive networking session with 8 young professionals working in the field of climate change, GESI, media and communication, journalism, governance, research, and more.

On the third and the final day of the orientation, the members received two capacity building sessions on photography, by Sabrina Dangol, and a session on report writing by Pranay Rana. The cohort also elected two members (Sonika Kunwar, from Sudurpaschim province, and Narayan Prasad Rijal, representing Karnali province) for the steering committee; three members (Kaiyum Rain, Pradip Rana and Kanchan Khatiwada) as coordination focal persons; and three (Dimpi Lama, Rakshya Awasthi, and Aayushma Kafle) for social media handling. The new cohort members also had an experience exchange session with the first cohort of YSB members.

The orientation was wrapped with a reception in the EU ambassador, Her Excellency Nona Deprez’s residence where YSB members got to interact with EU representatives and partner organizations.

Additional Details about three EU-funded projects in 2021

Youth Innovation Lab with its consortium partners Restless Development, CREASION, and CDMS is leading the project titled “Nepali Yuwa in Climate Action and Green Growth” that promotes Nepali youth inclusion in climate action and green economy in the post-COVID recovery of Nepal through their engagement in disaster and climate governance, entrepreneurship, and advocacy.

Oxfam in Nepal with its consortium partners Yuwalaya and Women Association of Marginalized Women is leading the project titled “Youth-led GESI initiatives for COVID recovery strategies and action in Nepal” (Youth Led GESI initiatives). The project aims to increase the socioeconomic and political participation of Nepali youth in the Karnali and Sudhurpaschim provinces of Nepal.

Helvetas in Nepal with its consortium partners Women Empowerment Action Forum and Sahayogi Samaj Nepal is leading the project titled “Promotion of Youth Engagement in Local Government Process” to promote the engagement of youth in democratic and governance processes and the protection, promotion, and fulfillment of human rights.

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