Wiem Chamsi

Wiem Chamsi is a seasoned professional with over nine years of experience driving national and international civil society initiatives focused on sustainable development, youth empowerment, and social entrepreneurship. As the Head of Strategy & Innovation Consulting at Betawaves, a Pan-African Venture Studio, she excels in designing and implementing customised innovation initiatives for tech-startups and corporates across the MEA region. With a Research Master’s degree in Management of Organisations, Wiem is recognized as a social entrepreneurship and leadership trainer, business mentor, and consultant. She is also the founder of the Youth 4 Change Initiative, consistently advocating for climate action and ensuring young people are at the heart of decision-making processes as today’s leaders, not just tomorrow’s. Her academic journey includes studying social entrepreneurship at the University of Connecticut. Wiem has served on numerous advisory boards, such as the Youth Sounding Board with the Danish Arab Partnership Program and the Youth Action Team with CIVICUS Alliance, where she champions inclusive opportunities and meaningful engagement for young people. She was selected as a fellow in the One Million Leaders MENA Initiative by NELIS and honored as one of the 10 Outstanding Young People in Tunisia in 2024 by JCI Tunisia for her humanitarian leadership. Wiem is deeply committed to working with young people and for young people, ensuring they have a meaningful role in shaping the future.

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.