Wiem Chamsi
Wiem Chamsi is a professional innovation leader with over 9 years driving impactful national and international initiatives in sustainable development, youth empowerment, and social entrepreneurship. At Betawaves, a regional venture studio, she leads innovation consulting and program design for startups and partners across MENA and Africa. Wiem is the founder of Youth4Change, a grassroots movement for social innovation in Tunisia, and was named one of JCI’s Top 20 Outstanding Young Persons globally in 2024. She has also served as an international judge for high-level entrepreneurship competitions, including the World Summit Awards (WSA) and Hult Prize.
Why did you want to be involved in the YAL project as YAB?
As a young consultant deeply committed to fostering youth-led innovation and sustainable development, I recognized the AU-EU Youth Action Lab as a transformative platform to amplify meaningful youth participation across Africa. The opportunity to contribute as a Youth Advisory Board (YAB) member resonated with my values of co-creation, inclusivity, and empowerment. I wanted to be involved in shaping funding mechanisms that prioritize grassroots organisations, put youth at the heart of decisions and actions while ensuring that underrepresented young voices are heard and supported.
How do you see the future of the AU-EU Labs?
The future of the AU-EU Labs lies in scaling its impact by fostering deeper collaborations between youth-led organisations and institutional partners. By expanding capacity-building, investing in sustainable funding mechanisms and leveraging modern technology, the Labs can cultivate an ecosystem where young innovators thrive as drivers of sustainable development.
Additionally, the Labs have a critical role in influencing policies that facilitate business creation and foster entrepreneurship, paving the way for job creation and broader socio-economic impact. With consistent support, cross-sectoral partnerships, and a focus on digital tools to enhance youth engagement, and strengthen monitoring frameworks to track long-term outcomes, the AU-EU Labs can serve as a global model for youth-led development, fostering resilient communities while bridging gaps between continents.
