MBABANE: Members of the Eswatini European Union Youth Sounding Board presented their proposed six month work plans during a meeting with the EU Delegation in Mbabane on Wednesday, 19 August 2026.
The youth representatives met Eva Maria Engdahl, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Eswatini, at the EU office.
The engagement reviewed the Youth Sounding Board’s progress from the application and shortlisting stages to interviews, final selection and onboarding. 
The second cohort consists of 15 young people from across Eswatini who will serve for two years and contribute to the design, implementation and monitoring of EU funded programmes affecting young people.
The members completed onboarding training from 10 to 14 May before being divided into thematic groups.
Each group was tasked with developing a six month plan focused on strengthening youth participation and ensuring that young people contribute to discussions on national development.
During Wednesday’s meeting, the thematic groups presented their proposed activities and outlined how they intended to contribute ideas, develop solutions and influence development programming.
The plans also seek to ensure that youth perspectives are included in decision making spaces and that programmes respond to the experiences and priorities of young people in the Kingdom.
The Youth Sounding Board was launched in Mbabane on 10 August 2026. Its membership includes young people from all four regions of Eswatini, including youth living with disabilities.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the EU Delegation and the youth representatives to discuss how the board can contribute to meaningful engagement and strengthen cooperation on youth related issues.
The members expressed appreciation to the EU Delegation for creating opportunities for young people to participate in development discussions and for supporting the next generation of leaders and changemakers.
