Youth Sounding Board

Selam is dedicated to peace-building, quality education, and gender equality, leveraging her business development skills to empower youth and women. 

Empowering diverse youth will go beyond today's change; together we have the power to create a sustainable world.

Dr. Helina leverages her expertise in the healthcare sector to promote inclusivity in gender, financial accessibility, and disability, ensuring equitable healthcare access for all.

Meaningful youth engagement is essential to uphold the values of human dignity, equality, and human rights.

Sitrallah aims to change the EU's engagement with young people, focusing on participatory and effective development cooperation. 

I joined the Youth Sounding Board to create long-lasting change in how the EU engages with young people, ensuring their voices shape effective development cooperation.

Niman advocates for better educational resources and job opportunities, believing in youth involvement for sustainable development.

Youth involvement is crucial for sustainable development. I aim to improve education and employment opportunities, empowering youth to be self-reliant.

Bereket focuses on youth engagement in policy-making, particularly in human rights, transitional justice, peace, and democracy.

I believe in the transformative power of youth engagement in decision-making processes.

Bezawit is dedicated to advocating for the rights of underprivileged youth, particularly internally displaced persons (IDPs).

I aim to amplify the voices of those who are typically unheard and contribute to fostering a more inclusive society.

Bisrat aims to advance the Green Deal agenda and foster inclusion among Ethiopian youth, advocating for sustainable practices.

I aspire to contribute recommendations that foster inclusive and sustainable development in Ethiopia.

Bisrat aims to enhance youth participation in policy-making, focusing on critical issues such as education, employment, climate change, and human rights.

I am passionate about leveraging my skills to help address critical issues and ensure youth voices are included in decision-making processes.

Deborah focuses on enhancing food security, sanitation, and economic development through modern technology.

I joined the Youth Sounding Board to be a voice advocating for improvements to address the needs of young people in Ethiopia.

Selamawit is deeply dedicated to empowering young Ethiopians to assume leadership roles and actively participate in decision-making processes that shape their future.

As a young female leader, I believe that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow - they are the change-makers of today.

Mahlet is deeply committed to promoting meaningful youth participation in peacebuilding and enhancing youth engagement through innovative solutions and proactive experiences.

As a young person passionate about peacebuilding, I aim to contribute to policies and initiatives that support youth participation in national peace dialogues and conflict resolution efforts.

Tarekegn is focused on youth empowerment, human rights, and sexual and reproductive health, aiming to create lasting change in his community by addressing critical issues.

I joined the Youth Sounding Board to bring lasting change in my community by amplifying youth voices in decision-making processes.

Temesgen is committed to advocating for youth-centered projects, particularly for rural youth, to transform their lives through the effective implementation of the EU’s policies and funding.

I aim to advocate for youth-centered projects where underserved rural youth play roles in the program cycle, ensuring their social development.

Selamawit is passionate about bridging the digital divide and advocating for digital rights, with a special focus on empowering young women and girls across Ethiopia.

I aim to advocate for policies and initiatives that promote the digital rights of youth, regardless of gender, socio-economic status, or location.

Thwol is committed to promoting peace, governance, and human rights, with a focus on empowering the youth of Gambella to become active participants in peacebuilding.

In order to bring sustainable governance and peace, young people should be true agents and messengers of peace at all costs.

Hanna is dedicated to empowering young girls through comprehensive life skills and vocational training programs designed to equip them with the tools for self-sufficiency and leadership.

By equipping young girls with holistic skillsets, they can become role models, lift their families out of poverty, and contribute to a stronger Ethiopia.

Abenezer focuses on health care, meaningful youth engagement, and SRHR advocacy aiming to improve primary health care, adolescent and maternal reproductive health, disability inclusion, gender equality, and public health in Ethiopia.

I believe the Youth Sounding Board is a place for me to represent millions of youth in Ethiopia and be vocal on pressing issues.

Werknesh is passionate about leveraging technology to drive meaningful change, particularly in the realm of education and youth empowerment. She aims to develop sustainable tech solutions that enhance learning outcomes and empower Ethiopian youth.

My goal is to use technology to create sustainable solutions that improve learning outcomes, cultivate the culture of entrepreneurship and empower youth, driving positive change in our communities.

Peniel is a project manager and youth engagement specialist, currently coordinating partnerships for the Dereja project at Mastercard. She’s passionate about youth empowerment and women’s rights, focusing on inclusive initiatives that equip young graduates with the skills and resources they need to succeed.

I truly believe that social services like education, health and social protection are vital for building resilient communities with all what’s happening in our continent.

Mekdelawit is a gender equality advocate committed to women’s empowerment and the prevention of gender-based violence. She works closely with youth, driving change by engaging the next generation in the fight against inequality.

I hope to bring changes in the perception and attitudes of gender roles and norms within the youth.

Amen is a youth advocate passionate about inclusive policymaking in peace and development. She champions the meaningful engagement of women and young people in peace processes, working in line with the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) and Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agendas to ensure diverse voices shape sustainable solutions.

My goal is to push for policies and programs that genuinely reflect young people's needs, from education and employment to peacebuilding and human rights.

Bethlehem is a public health graduate and master’s student in the Netherlands, she uses film and storytelling to raise awareness on human rights and global health issues, championing youth voices in international forums.

I want to build bridges between grassroots innovation and national strategies, ensuring that youth engagement isn’t symbolic—but impactful and long-lasting.

Mahmud is a passionate advocate for health equity, disaster resilience, and youth empowerment. As a member of the EU Youth Sounding Board under the Human Development thematic area, he brings lived experience and local insight to global conversations—ensuring that the most vulnerable are not left behind.

Representation is more than a seat at the table—it's bringing the stories, needs, and hopes of youth into every decision.