The Malawi Youth Sounding Board (MW-YSB) is inviting applications from young Malawians for its 2025–2027 cohort. This initiative presents a valuable opportunity for youth across Malawi to engage directly in shaping cooperation and development policies with the European Union Delegation to Malawi (EUD). Through this platform, young people can influence and inform initiatives that matter to them particularly those related to education, employment, entrepreneurship, and social inclusion.
Why the MW-YSB matters
The Malawi Youth Sounding Board MW-YSB aims to make European Union programmes in Malawi more participatory, relevant, and effective for the country’s youth. Given the rapidly evolving political and policy landscape, the Board seeks to provide a structured forum for young people to voice their priorities including job creation, vocational training, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment. Importantly, the initiative places special emphasis on the most vulnerable youth and those from underserved communities, offering them pathways for inclusion and active participation.
By strengthening collaboration with local youth organizations and creating networks for exchange, the Board aspires to build solidarity among youth stakeholders in Malawi and beyond. This strengthens the potential for youth-led initiatives, enhances civic engagement, and ensures that development policies reflect the real needs of younger generations.
What MW-YSB members will do
Selected members of the Malawi Youth Sounding Board will play a key role in bridging youth communities and the European Union’s cooperation programmes. Core responsibilities include:
- Engaging in dialogues and partnerships between the EUD and civil society organisations to represent youth perspectives and priorities.
- Contributing to the design, roll-out, and evaluation of programmes tailored for youth especially those addressing employment and entrepreneurship.
- Gathering and providing feedback on existing EU-supported initiatives in Malawi to ensure they align with youth needs and expectations.
- Raising visibility and awareness about youth-oriented opportunities such as skills training, education, vocational programmes, and employment schemes.
- Building networks with other youth structures locally, nationally, and potentially internationally to foster shared learning, collaboration, and sustained youth engagement.
In addition to contributing ideas and feedback, Board members will receive training to build capacity in advocacy, project implementation, communication, and representation. The Board is expected to convene at least four full meetings annually, and members may also join field visits and participate in events organised by the EUD. Throughout their two-year mandate, members will produce regular reports and contribute to communications and outreach efforts.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants for the Malawi Youth Sounding Board must meet the following criteria:
- Be Malawian nationals living in Malawi and aged between 18 and 30 years.
- Demonstrate creativity, motivation, and a strong commitment to positively contribute to the work and impact of the Board.
- Show genuine interest in development cooperation, particularly in areas prioritised by the EU in Malawi such as education (with a focus on technical, entrepreneurial, and vocational training), youth employment, social inclusion, and skills development.
- Possess good command of both spoken and written English to enable effective participation and communication.
The Board aims for diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from youth across different cultural backgrounds, genders, geographical locations including rural areas and persons with disabilities, to ensure broad representation.
Appointment Details & Application Process
- Selected members will serve a 24-month mandate, contributing to the Board’s work from early 2026 through December 2027.
- If a member’s position becomes vacant before the end of the term, the vacancy will be filled from a reserve list or re-advertised to maintain continuity.
- Interested youth should apply on or before 28 December 2025 (11:59 PM, Malawi time).
- The selection is conducted in two stages: initial shortlisting, followed by interviews. Tentative dates indicate that shortlisted candidates will be informed by early January 2026, with interviews to follow soon after.
Participation — Voluntary, But Supported
Service on the Malawi Youth Sounding Board is voluntary. That said, the European Union Delegation in Malawi will cover any approved costs incurred by members while participating in Board-related activities. This ensures that financial barriers do not prevent dedicated young people from contributing.
The Malawi Youth Sounding Board embodies a commitment to youth inclusion, empowerment, and active participation in development policy. For motivated young Malawians seeking to influence their country’s future especially in areas of employment, education, and social development joining the Board represents an outstanding opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
