European Union Youth Sounding Board (YSB) Kenya

The European Union Youth Sounding Board (YSB) Kenya 2026 is a funded youth leadership opportunity for young Kenyans who are passionate about civic engagement, youth participation, and public policy. The initiative is organized by the European Union Delegation to Kenya through the Meaningful Engagement – Transformative Action (META) for Structured Civil Society Dialogue project.

The programme will select 15 young leaders from across Kenya to serve on the second cohort of the Youth Sounding Board. Members will advise the European Union Delegation on issues affecting young people, contribute to policy discussions, and help ensure that EU-Kenya partnerships reflect the priorities and aspirations of Kenyan youth.

About European Union Youth Sounding Board Kenya

The Youth Sounding Board (YSB) is part of the European Union's broader commitment to ensuring that young people actively contribute to the design and implementation of policies and development programmes. Rather than simply consulting young people occasionally, the initiative creates a structured platform where youth representatives regularly engage with the EU Delegation and provide recommendations on programmes that affect their communities.

For the second cohort, 15 young leaders from different regions and backgrounds across Kenya will be appointed to represent the perspectives of diverse youth communities. Members will participate in consultations, policy dialogues, stakeholder meetings, and other activities that strengthen youth engagement within the EU-Kenya partnership.

The programme also seeks to strengthen collaboration between young people, civil society organisations, community groups, and the European Union. Through regular engagement, members will contribute ideas that promote inclusion, accountability, and meaningful youth participation in national development processes.

The selected youth representatives will serve until March 2028 and are expected to participate actively throughout their term. The anticipated onboarding period for successful applicants is scheduled for November 2026.

Programme Benefits

Selected members will receive several professional and leadership development benefits, including:

• Opportunity to advise the European Union Delegation to Kenya.
• Experience in youth advocacy and policy engagement.
• Leadership development opportunities.
• Participation in national and international policy dialogues.
• Networking with youth leaders, civil society organisations, and development partners.
• Opportunities to represent the interests of young people.
• Professional experience in civic engagement and public participation.
• Increased visibility within youth leadership networks.
• Reasonable participation expenses covered by the programme.
• Opportunities to contribute to the implementation of the EU Youth Action Plan in Kenya.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Be a Kenyan citizen.
• Reside in Kenya.
• Be an active young leader engaged in youth organisations, civil society organisations, community-based organisations, networks, or social movements.
• Demonstrate commitment to youth participation and community development.
• Be willing to represent the views of diverse young people.
• Be available to participate throughout the mandate period.
• Demonstrate collaboration, integrity, and strong communication skills.
• Be interested in contributing to EU-Kenya cooperation on youth-related issues.

Available Areas Of Study

The programme is open to applicants from all academic backgrounds. Relevant fields include:

• Public Policy
• International Relations
• Political Science
• Development Studies
• Governance
• Human Rights
• Community Development
• Youth Development
• Social Sciences
• Law
• Communications
• Civic Education
• Public Administration
• Peace and Conflict Studies
• Environmental Studies

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the following:

• Completed online application form.
• Responses to the application questions.
• Short video introduction (if requested in the application).
• Information demonstrating leadership experience.
• Details of involvement in youth or community organisations.
• Any additional supporting information required by the application portal.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

• Leadership experience.
• Community engagement.
• Commitment to youth participation.
• Ability to represent diverse youth perspectives.
• Communication skills.
• Understanding of youth issues in Kenya.
• Motivation for joining the Youth Sounding Board.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviews, followed by reference checks before the final selection of the 15 Youth Sounding Board members.

How To Apply

Interested applicants should follow these steps:

1. Visit the official European Union Delegation to Kenya application page.
2. Download and carefully read the Terms of Reference.
3. Confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements.
4. Complete the online application form.
5. Prepare any required supporting materials.
6. Submit your application before the deadline.
7. Wait for communication regarding shortlisting and interviews if selected.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications well before the deadline to avoid technical difficulties.