AU-EU Youth Voices Lab: A Milestone Annual Review Meeting in Zambia

From January 21st to January 23rd, Youthmakers Hub team members participated in the first Annual Review Meeting of the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab – Power of the Collective, held in Lusaka, Zambia. As the partner responsible for Communication, Dissemination, and Visibility, the YMH team played an active role in the three-day event, which brought together key stakeholders to assess the programme’s first year of implementation, exchange best practices, and outline the roadmap for 2025.

The Annual Review Meeting provided a platform for partners to evaluate progress, identify areas for growth, and discuss strategies for amplifying the programme’s impact. One of the event’s highlights was a ceremony dedicated to engaging local youth representatives and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). This fostered meaningful dialogue on the programme’s objectives, upcoming initiatives, and opportunities for young changemakers across Africa and Europe.

Adding to the event’s significance, three distinguished former AU-EU Youth Cooperation Hub members joined the discussions. The significance of their attendance is highlighted because the AU-EU Youth Cooperation Hub and their committed work over the years are what brought the AU-EU Youth Lab programme to life. Their insights and contributions underscored the continuity between past and present youth-driven initiatives, emphasizing the lasting impact of the AU-EU Youth Cooperation Hub.

Additionally, under the guidance of the Youthmakers Hub team onsite, Consortium members actively participated in film productions as part of the programme’s communication, dissemination, and visibility strategies for 2025. These productions aim to enhance outreach, share impactful stories, and highlight the transformative work carried out through the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab.

A key moment of the meeting was the signing of a commemorative mural by Consortium members and attendees. This symbolic act represented a shared commitment to fostering a more inclusive and participatory society in Africa and Europe. The AU-EU Youth Voices Lab continues to serve as a bridge between young leaders, institutions, and civil society, driving collaborative solutions for global challenges. With a strong foundation built in its first year, the programme is set to expand its reach and impact in 2025.