Terms of Reference (TOR) for Youth Sounding Board Members (YSB)

Context: According to Nepal’s National Youth Policy, approximately 20.8% of the country’s population falls within the 16–25 age group, while 40.68% lies in the 16–40. Having a large number of youths also means there is opportunity for Nepal for overall development. Tapping on this opportunity is not just beneficial but also essential. Youth must be placed at the center of planning, designing, and implementing development initiatives to address present challenges and unlock sustainable solutions.

In this context, the Youth Sounding Board (YSB) serves as a consultative platform, where young people provide feedback to shape and influence European Union policies and programs in Nepal. By ensuring youth perspectives are integrated into decision-making processes, YSB contributes to making development cooperation more inclusive, relevant, and meaningful.

Purpose of Youth Sounding Board

The Youth Sounding Board (YSB) is a consultative platform that empowers Nepalese youth to meaningfully influence the European Union’s (EU) development cooperation actions. It ensures young people's voices are integrated into EU policies, programs, and decision-making processes.

How will the Youth Sounding Board work?

YSB members will serve a voluntary/ unpaid (with covered expenses) 13-month mandate. They engages in various initiatives and activities as per their thematic interest in governance, education, gender and green growth among other areas.

YSB members will engage in:

1. Programmatic Input and Strategic input/ Advisory:

  • YSB members will provide informed insights to shape EU-Nepal policies and programs

  • Attend events, field missions, interact with various stakeholders to monitor and provide feedback on EU external actions,

  • From the field visits, document and share evidences to analyze if the interventions are addressing the needs of youth population and provide actionable recommendations for improvement

  • Explore and discuss around the thematic priorities such as climate change, education, governance, and GESI through a youth lens and provide insights in various forums

2. Communication, Advocacy, and Digital Engagement: Amplify youth voices through communication and advocacy;

  • Participate/ lead in various campaigns, public events to learn, provide insights and provide support in implementation as required

  • Participate in digital platforms and storytelling to highlight youth issues and perspectives, to spread message regarding various initiatives such as YSB, youth engagement, international days related to various themes YSB recruitment.

3. Networking and Collaborative Engagement: Build strategic alliances to enhance youth influence at all levels;

  • Network with national and international youth leaders, civil society actors, and development stakeholders.

4. Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing: Enhance skills and knowledge through learning opportunities such as trainings and workshops;

  • Participate in workshops, training sessions, and exchange visits (in-person and virtual) for knowledge and skill enhancement.

  • Share experiences and learnings with peers from their participation in external events for collective learning

5. Community Action and Grassroots Impact: Lead transformative youth-led initiatives at the community level;

  • Design and implement “Action at Home” projects to address local challenges

  • Lead programmatic and financial management of the planned activities

  • Demonstrate youth leadership and sustainable solutions, be role models to other youths in the communities

6. Youth-Centered Policy review for informed policy and program advocacy:

  • Analyze some national and international programs and policies related to youth, climate, education, and DRR for providing evidence based and informed feedback into programs and other initiatives.

Eligibility Criteria: The board aims to be diverse and inclusive, bringing together a range of opinions and experiences across age groups, areas of interest and expertise, gender, socio-economic background, and region. All young and motivated individuals are welcome to apply. Candidates with special needs, disabilities, in vulnerable situations, from minority groups are encouraged to apply.

Applicants should be:

  • Be aged 18–26 years as of the application deadline.

  • Be available from August 2025 to September 2026.

  • Demonstrate commitment to volunteerism and community development.

  • Show willingness and ability to travel to rural project areas.

  • have at least a Secondary Level Education.

  • Be proficient in Nepali (spoken and written) and have basic English communication skills.

Note: Participation is voluntary (with covered expenses). However, travel and accommodation costs will be covered for physical events, and data costs for online meetings will also be covered. Board members will also have opportunities for personal growth and development as young leaders.

Application Process:

Applications can be submitted from 14 June to 30 June 2025 (11:59 PM NPT). No late submissions will be considered.

Selection process will have three steps;

Step 1: Shortlisting (1–7 July 2025)

  • Applications are reviewed against eligibility and motivation criteria.

  • All applicants will receive an email update regarding the outcome by 9 July.

Step 2: Interviews (13–21 July 2025)

  • Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a 10-12-minute virtual interview via Zoom or Google Meet.

  • The language of the interview will be as per the convenience of the candidates (Nepali/English)

  • However, one of the questions is to be answered in English.

Step 3: Final Selection (23–28 July 2025)

  • Final list of selected candidates will be prepared and approved.

  • Selected candidates will receive official communication from the EU via email on 28 July 2025.

For any clarifications, please email: YSBCoordinator@vjwinternational.com