Youthmakers Hub travelled to Monde village in Uganda, from 23 to 26 February 2025 to deliver a 4-day training under the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab – Power of the Collective programme. The training brought together 60 youth participants from across the region who have limited access to capacity-building opportunities.

For Youthmakers Hub, this training was a powerful reminder of why local impact matters. Working closely with young people on the ground allowed us to listen to their realities and co-create learning experiences.

Across the four days, participants engaged in a blend of practical learning, hands‑on exercises, and community‑building moments:

• Communication for Advocacy led by MarcoValerio Battaglia and facilitated by Stefanos Stagakis: message‑building, audience mapping, and narrative shaping.
• Exploration of the Youth Voices Lab app guided by Stefanos Stagakis: hands‑on digital learning, pitching exercise, and co‑creating improvements.
• Networking for Advocacy led by MarcoValerio Battaglia this session included visual poster creation, peer‑to‑peer exchanges, and collaboration building.
• Pitching Skills explored with Cynthia Kyofuna:  elevator pitches, role‑play, and presenting to multiple target audiences.
• Reflection & Community Building: energizers, group discussions, shared commitments.
• Live Library session: Silvia Diazzi guided an open discussion where three young leaders; Cynthia Kyofuna, Nabukhisa Daisy Lillian, and Jemba Micheal Senkole who shared personal insights on communication, networking, and personal and professional development.
• Closing Ceremony: The 4-days of training closed with reflections and celebration where certificates were given to  participants, trainers, stakeholders and local supporters.

During the closing ceremony, Stefanos Stagakis shared a message that resonated deeply with the group:

“It’s been inspiring to witness your growth, courage, and commitment to telling stories that matter. As you leave here, remember: your voices are powerful tools for change. Use them boldly, use them wisely, and never doubt their impact.”

Our team members on the ground, Silvia Diazzi, Konstantinos Maragkos, and Stefanos Stagakis, left Uganda deeply inspired by the participants’ energy, commitment, and creativity.

As Silvia Diazzi shared:
“Impact is what we look for, and this training is ground‑breaking for so many aspects: giving priority to youth voices, involving representatives from different active organisations in Uganda, enabling powerful connections, and setting up in a rural environment to ensure the participation of the hard‑to‑reach young people. These are only a few elements for which I am extremely proud of the results of our activity.”

Konstantinos Maragkos highlighted the importance of co‑creation and local partnerships:

“Our African-European synergy and collaboration with local partners transformed this Bootcamp into a masterclass in co-creation. Moving the programme to rural Uganda allowed us to reach participants nationwide, making the experience as inclusive as it was impactful.”

This training was made possible thanks to a dedicated team of 8 trainers whose expertise in communication, networking, social media, and youth engagement shaped every moment. Alongside the YMH team, we extend our appreciation to:

• MarcoValerio Battaglia

• Silvia Diazzi

• Andrew Ddembe

• Cynthia Kyofuna

• Konstantinos Maragkos

• Nabukhisa Daisy Lillian

• Jemba Micheal Senkole

• Stefanos Stagakis

For Youthmakers Hub, working in a rural area of Uganda reaffirmed our commitment to reaching every young person.

We leave Monde village grateful and energized, carrying this impact back to Greece and beyond, and continuing our mission to inspire change in every community we reach.