On 4 February, the Youthmakers Hub team gathered at the Demos Center in Athens for the annual New Year-Big Gear Meeting, marking the first major internal milestone of 2026. The full-day meeting brought the entire team together for alignment, reflection, and strategic planning, setting a clear direction for 2026. The day was filled with comprehensive updates across ongoing projects and workflows. Each department shared progress, challenges, and key milestones, offering a transparent overview of where the organization stands and where it is heading.  A central part of the meeting focused on defining priorities and strategic goals for 2026, with each team presenting its direction, concrete objectives, and expected outcomes. 

The meeting then shifted into a collaborative co-creation process. Dividing into smaller groups, team members worked together to define the core focus, guiding principles, and values that will shape the organization’s work throughout the year. These discussions sparked meaningful exchanges around impact, sustainability, and innovation, reflecting Youthmakers Hub’s culture of collaboration and adaptability.

The New Year-Big Gear Meeting is more than an internal gathering. It is a foundational moment that ensures Youthmakers Hub continues to operate with clarity, cohesion, and purpose. By aligning its multidisciplinary team, the organization strengthens its ability to design and implement projects that empower youth, foster innovation, and build meaningful partnerships between Africa and Europe. The outcomes of this meeting will guide its actions, partnerships, and initiatives throughout 2026.