1.0 Project Overview
The Meaningful Engagement – Transformative Action (META) for Structured CSO Dialogue in Kenya is a joint initiative by African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) and Stichting Women Engage for a Common Future International (WECF) in partnership with the European Union Delegation (EUD) to Kenya. The action aims to enhance Kenyan civil society organizations’ capacity for accountability, good governance, and inclusive development, and provide institutional platforms for their active involvement in EU-Kenya cooperation between 2024-2027.
Specific Objectives
- Improve and strengthen structured, inclusive, and regular dialogue between Kenyan civil society actors, local authorities, and the EU, facilitating meaningful and sustained
- Enhance the skills, knowledge, and resources of Kenyan civil society actors including youth and women’s rights organizations to address common development priorities and promote effective governance.
- Increase information sharing, joint planning, and implementation of initiatives among Kenyan civil society actors to maximize the impact of EU-Kenya cooperation.
2.0 Youth Sounding Board
Youth empowerment is a top priority for EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, and the EU believes that young people must be involved in shaping and implementing its external action. The Youth Sounding Board aims to create a real, fundamental, long-lasting change in how the EU engages with young people in its development cooperation.
In the EU Youth Action Plan 2022-20271, EU Delegations are called to establish Youth advisory structures to advise on country-specific priorities. In Kenya, the Youth Sounding Board (YSB) will be established through the META project leading on the CSO structured dialogue, in close coordination with the EU delegation.
Drawing inspiration from the EU Global Youth Sounding Board first established since 2021, the Kenya YSB will advise the EU Delegation on youth participation and empowerment in all areas
of EU partnerships with Kenya. The YSB creates opportunities for young people to express their views, connect and exchange. It allows young Kenyans to have an influence and thereby contribute to make EU action in Kenya more participatory, relevant and effective for young Kenyans.
3.0 How Will the YSB Work?
The YSB will comprise 15 young people from across Kenya who reflect the country’s diversity and have demonstrated experience in youth participation and engagement through youth organizations, civil society organizations, networks, movements, or other youth-led initiatives. Members are expected to demonstrate collaborative leadership, represent the perspectives and interests of the communities and constituencies they engage with, and contribute to an inclusive YSB that reflects Kenya’s diversity.
Throughout their mandate, members will actively engage with their constituencies, bringing their views and experiences into YSB discussions while promoting meaningful dialogue between young people, civil society, and the European Union Delegation in Kenya.
YSB members are expected to participate in approximately one meeting per month, subject to the work plan agreed upon by the YSB and the META consortium. YSB membership is voluntary; however, reasonable costs associated with participation will be covered by the META project. Details of the support available will be communicated through a logistical note prior to each meeting.
The YSB will engage in activities aiming at:
- Organizing regular structured dialogues, policy debates and consultations among civil society actors, and between civil society actors and the EU around the key priorities of EU-Kenya partnerships, including programs, agenda and relevant policy frameworks in collaboration with community-based organisations, women’s groups, youth initiatives, the elderly, persons with disabilities and indigenous communities.
- Supporting the action to ensure meaningful participation of youth in the structured
- Providing support to the youth within the inclusive dialogue mechanism to identify policy issues directly impacting them for discussion.
- Representing the youth in the Steering Committee to plan and organize the dialogue mechanism and the other main activities of the action.
- Supporting the youth-led and youth-based organizations within the Inclusive Dialogue Platform (IDP) which will provide a platform for CSOs to host periodic dialogue events that will culminate in an annual high-level EU-Kenya civil society The dialogues will focus on the main priority areas of the EU’s cooperation with Kenya i.e Green Transition and Digitalisation.
- Advising the EU Delegation in Kenya on programming, action design, communication and visibility plans, policy design, and implementation of the Youth Action Plan.
- Advising and guiding the META network on ongoing and future implementation of
- Contributing to the implementation of the EU’s Youth Action Plan (2022-2027) in Kenya
The YSB members will not speak on behalf of the European Union Delegation in Kenya or any other region/country. The board members are expected to uphold strict confidentiality and refrain from sharing any information discussed within the Youth Sounding Board on social media or other platforms. This will help foster an environment of trust and open dialogue. Selected members will be required to sign the Terms of Reference, the Code of Conduct, and a Declaration of Commitment prior to assuming their role on the Youth Sounding Board.
4.0 Why Join the Youth Sounding Board?
Being part of the EU Youth Sounding Board will be a transformative experience, offering a blend of personal growth, professional development, and opportunities to make a meaningful impact in Kenya. The benefits of being part of the YSB will include but are not limited:
- Experience in Youth-led Advocacy and Policy Influencing: Members of the YSB will have the opportunity to advise the EU Delegation in Kenya by sharing insights and perspectives that will contribute to making EU programming, EU Communication campaigns, the EU Youth Action Plan, and policy design more participatory, relevant, and effective for young people in Kenya.
- Voice and Representation: The board members will have the opportunity to represent the views of a diverse range of young people, and engage with youth networks and initiatives at the local, national, regional, and global level fostering connections and exchange.
- Networking Opportunities: YSB members will come from diverse backgrounds and representation and interact with diverse stakeholders ensuring a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives and offering an opportunity for members to connect with peers, mentors, and professionals from various fields.
- Capacity-strengthening: Participating in YSB will allow members to enhance their leadership abilities, communication skills, strategic thinking and planning, knowledge, and understanding of the EU-Kenya partnership.
5.0 Who Can Apply?
The YSB seeks to bring together a diverse and inclusive group of young people who reflect Kenya’s rich social, cultural, and geographic diversity. Applications are encouraged from young people of different ages, genders, counties, socio-economic backgrounds, faiths, abilities, and areas of expertise.
While applicants with varying levels of leadership experience are encouraged to apply, they should demonstrate a genuine commitment to collective action, civic participation, and meaningful engagement through organizations, networks, movements, or community initiatives. The selection process will seek to ensure a balanced and inclusive Youth Sounding Board that reflects Kenya’s regional, social, and demographic diversity, while recognizing applicants’ commitment to inclusive dialogue, accountability, and meaningful youth participation.
Applicants should meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a Kenyan citizen
- Be between 18 and 30 years of age during the project implementation period, ending in March 2028.
- Be residing in Kenya and available to actively participate in Youth Steering Board meetings and related activities throughout the duration of the mandate.
- Have a good command of English and/or
- Demonstrate active engagement and experience in youth participation, civic engagement, advocacy, volunteerism, or community organizing through a youth-led organization, civil society organization, community-based organization, network, movement, or other recognized collective platform.
- Demonstrate collaborative leadership, the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, and a commitment to representing the interests of broader youth constituencies throughout the mandate.
- Possess effective communication skills, including writing skills and appropriate use of social media.
- Demonstrate an interest in policy advocacy, governance, and the EU–Kenya
6.0 What is the Application and Selection Timeline?
- Submit your application on this Google Form. The application deadline is Monday 31 August 2026, 11:59 p.m. (Nairobi Time).
- First stage: Applicants will be informed of the outcome of the shortlisting process by 30 September 2026.
- Second stage: shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews between 16 October 2026.
- Reference checks and verification: Following the interviews, shortlisted candidates will undergo reference checks and verification of applicants’ organizational affiliations, leadership experience, and engagement with youth-led initiatives, networks, movements, or civil society organizations between 21—30 October 2026.
- Final selection: Successful candidates will be notified of the outcome on 2 November 2026.
Onboarding: Formal onboarding of selected members and an inception meeting to introduce the YSB framework, expectations, and engagement with the EU Delegation and consortium partners. From 9-13 November 2026.