News Article: Youth Leads The Way at The EU Global Gateway High-level Youth Event
by Eeyeng Lim, Global Youth Mobilization
Brussels, 9-10 October 2024
At the EU Global Gateway High-Level Youth Event last week, Global Youth Mobilization (GYM) Youth Representatives and Big Six Youth Organisations’ (Big Six) Representatives emphasized the significance of mobilizing young people in creating sustainable development in their local communities, through access to funding.
In the landmark gathering that united global youth leadership, the Youth Empowerment Fund was featured as a testament of collective youth impact, the unique international partnership between the EU and the Big Six Youth Organisations (Big Six), and the success of the GYM Youth-Led Model. Centred upon youth leadership, activities at the Youth Empowerment Fund marketplace booth were also co-designed and facilitated by the GYM Youth Representatives.
As a panellist, Carlos Sanvee, the GYM Chairperson emphasized, “GYM is about providing ownership to young people to design their programs, with young people in governance and young people to decide who gets the funds”. His speech was also accompanied by a short video capturing the impact of the Youth Empowerment Fund which utilizes the GYM’s Youth-Led Model of involving young people at all levels of decision making.
On Youth Day, GYM Youth Representatives also provided their input on the drafting of youth recommendations to the main conference, engaged in a series of discussions centred around the UN Sustainable Goals, and gave their feedback on the EU External Action.
They also delivered a powerful three-minute pitch on the Youth Empowerment Fund, showcasing their commitment to fostering youth-led initiatives at the global level. The representatives participated in thought-provoking sessions aimed at making EU External Action more relatable to young people, pioneering innovative climate solutions, and enhancing engagement with EU institutions.
