AU-EU YOUTH LAB AT THE YSB EXPO IN ETHIOPIA: Championing digital innovation, youth voices, and new opportunities for impact at the Youth Sounding Board Expo.

On 19–20 September 2025, Addis Ababa hosted more than 100 young people who brought energy, creativity, and ambition as the Youth Sounding Board (YSB) Ethiopia hosted the Youth Skills and Business (YSB) Expo at the Goethe-Institut, AAU FBE Campus.

The Expo brought together 15 youth-led organisations, and a range of partners working at the nexus of innovation, policy, and social impact. Supported by the EU Delegation to Ethiopia and Team Europe, the event showcased how young people are designing digital solutions for pressing societal challenges—from climate action and good governance, to human rights, education, and health.

Why Participate?

The AU-EU Youth Lab was proud to participate with a dedicated booth and direct engagement throughout the two-day expo. The team connected with Ethiopian youth leaders, answered questions about the soon to be announced upcoming November grants, and shared opportunities within the Lab’s youth partnership activities.

Meeting YSB Ethiopia members was a highlight, offering the chance to hear directly from passionate young changemakers. Their contributions and reflections on the diversity and resilience of Ethiopia’s youth underscored why creating spaces like the Expo is critical.

In addition, the AU-EU Youth Lab also had the opportunity to host a masterclass session, where conversations centered on grant opportunities and connecting it to how digital innovation can accelerate impact in areas that matter most to young people. These exchanges enabled the young voices to articulate the areas where they need some assistance, their visions of success in future, working around their challenges and was the continuation of a conversation on how best youth can contribute to local initiatives and continental frameworks like the AU’s 1 Million Next Level and the EU’s Youth Action Plan 2022–2027.

Engagement Platforms

The YSB Expo was proof that when youth are given platforms to connect, empower one another, and engage with policymakers, the results are transformative.

• Visibility and awareness: A number of participants learned about AU-EU Youth Lab grants for the first time, and with strong interest, expressed in applying this November following the official announcements.
• Pipeline for partnerships: The Expo enabled the AU-EU Youth Lab to meet organisations eager to co-create and scale youth-led initiatives and learning opportunities in training sessions or information sharing.
• Policy connection: The presence of high-level figures such as EUD Ambassador Sofie From-Emmesberger and former Chief Justice Meaza Ashenafi reinforced the importance of youth voices in shaping policy dialogues.

 

The vibrance of the YSB Expo demonstrates the value of investing in youth-centered outreach missions. For the AU-EU Youth Lab, it’s a clear signal to do more—to host additional meetings, training clinics, and application labs in the run-up to the November grant announcements. The key learning is to ensure that more young Africans are not only aware of opportunities but also equipped to seize them.

Stay tuned for updates on our upcoming November 2025 grants and youth engagement activities. Check the website https://aueuyouth.com/ and follow us on our social media platforms.