EDD Young Leaders

Dear Young Leaders!

We are pleased to inform you that the European Union has launched the call for a new cohort of the EU Youth Sounding Board. If you are ready to make EU actions more participatory and effective for youth, this opportunity is for you!

The call to select the members of the new Youth Sounding Board was launched two days ago. Apply via https://www.google.com/search?q=oin+the+Youth+Sounding+Board!+(europa.eu)&rlz=1C1GCEU_enBJ1013BJ1013&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 until 26 April.

Chers réseaux, nous sommes heureux de vous informer que l' Union Européenne a lancé l'appel à une nouvelle cohorte de ! Si vous êtes prêts à contribuer à une participation effective des jeunes dans les actions de l'Union Européenne, cette opportunité est pour vous.

Hello network! This week we bring to you Ruvimbo, our young leader from Zimbabwe 🇿🇼!

Ruvimbo is a Young Leader of the European Development Days 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣, recognized for her contributions towards the achievement of SDG2 Zero hunger 🥣 and SDG13 Climate action 🌿. Ruvimbo is a graduate in Trade and Investment Law, currently specialising in space law and policy research 🌌 for the African and global space sector. She has accumulated 4️⃣ years of experience in policies related to geographic information systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing 💻, regional space policy research and lunar policy development 📑. She currently works as a space policy analyst with Access Partnership, a leading public policy firm introducing countries and companies to fair tech. She has been recognised as an African Space Leader 🌍 (2020) by the Space Generation Advisory Council, and an Emerging Space Leader 🌌(2021) as well as Young Space Leader (2022) by the International Astronautical Federation for her contributions in policy, business, education and outreach, and looks to collaborate on space-related, capacity building research for the African and the global space sector.
At the European Development Days 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣, Ruvimbo joined as a panelist at the high-level panel on "Research, Data and New Technologies (Earth Observation for Climate Resilience). Follow her on social media: 📲 LinkedIn Samanga

Dear Network, this week we are introducing Shah Rafayat Chowdhury from Bangladesh 🇧🇩!

Shah is a Young Leader of the European Development Days 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣8️⃣ recognized for his contributions towards the achievement of SDG6 Clean water and sanitation 💧 and SDG13 Climate action 🌿. Shah is an award winning environmentalist and social entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and president of .organization a next generation organisation currently empowering over 3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ people across Bangladesh 🇧🇩with safe water and access to sanitation, disaster resilience, and improved public health services, especially for the marginalised communities 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧. He is also the Managing Director of Dreamwater Enterprises Limited, a social enterprise which innovates water-sanitation-hygiene (WASH) devices and products to create access to water at an affordable price for all. Shah received the internationally acclaimed Diana Award 🏆 and AFS Prize for Young Global Citizens, and recently was listed on Forbes 30 Under 30 for his contribution to Bangladesh’s development sector through Footsteps. Shah has also served as Bangladesh’s Youth Representative to the United Nations 🇺🇳 and was mentored by former United States 🇺🇸 Vice President Al Gore on Climate Leadership. Shah earned his undergraduate degree in Environmental Economics and Policy from Penn State in 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣8️⃣. At the European Development Days 2018, he joined as a panelist at the high-level panel on “Women/girls and the Environment". Follow Shah and his work at: IG .rafayat13 FB .m.chowdhury.7 LinkedIn Shah Rafayat Chowdhury .rafayat13

Hello network! This week we are travelling to Malawi 🇲🇼 to meet Grace Kata Banda!

Grace is a Young Leader of the European Development Days 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣8️⃣, recognized for her contributions towards the achievement of SDG1 End Poverty 👩‍👩‍👦‍👦 and SDG5 Gender equality 🚻. Grace is a Bunda College graduate with a Bachelor Degree in Agriculture 🌾 specializing in Horticulture. She is a young leader and an entrepreneur of the Young African Leadership Initiative 👩‍💼. Grace is a founder of Chenan Women Development, a social organization supporting rural and poor women in the production of natural contraceptives, made from Molinga leaves 🍃 to improve their health status and livelihoods through sales of their products 🤝. Grace’s trainees run the project after the program on how to conduct campaigns on the effectiveness of the contraceptives. Since 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣7️⃣, Grace and her organization have trained over 50 women and 26 young girls from 3 districts in Malawi 🇲🇼 and she aims to extend the trainings to the whole country🗺️. At the European Development Days 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣8️⃣, she joined as a panelist at the high-level panel on “Leading the change: empowering women and girls for a thriving rural community". Follow Grace and her work at:



European Commission EU International Partnerships EU Delegation Malawi

Dear Network, this week we introduce to you our Young Leader Rachid Ennassiri!

Rachid from Morocco 🇲🇦 is a Young Leader of the European Development Days 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣7️⃣, recognized for his contributions towards the achievement of SDG7 Affordable and clean energy ☀️ and SDG13 Climate action🌱. Rachid has a strong background in climate policy and diplomacy 🏢 and he currently works as an Advisor to the global campaign Integrate to Zero and the Breakthrough Agenda. Previously, Rachid contributed to the Conference of Parties COP2️⃣6️⃣ as Climate policy, energy manager and advisor, and to the climate policy and energy transition under the United Kingdom’s COP2️⃣6️⃣ Presidency 🇬🇧. Rachid also worked on climate with GIZ Morocco and he co-founded a Moroccan youth non-profit focused on sustainable energy ☀️. Rachid originally qualified as a Technician in Electromechanics and Rural Equipment 👨‍🌾. He holds numerous certificates 📰
from Cornell University, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, and the Moroccan Institute for Solar Energy 🏛. Most recently, Rachid was among the founders of the Imal Initiative for Climate and Development, an independent non-profit North African climate think-tank. Rachid was recognized for his climate efforts by Barack Obama and the Obama Foundation Africa Leaders Program 🌍. At the European Development Days 🇪🇺2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣7️⃣, he joined as a panelist at the high-level panel on “Climate action and sustainable energy". Follow Rachid and his work at 📲

Hello Network! How is it going? Are you ready to meet our next young leader? 📩

Inota Cheta from Zambia 🇿🇲 is a Young Leader of the European Development Days 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣9️⃣, recognized for her contributions towards the achievement of the SDG8 Decent work and economic growth 📈 and the SDG5 Gender equality 👫. Inota is a Country Director for She Entrepreneur Zambia. The organisation is one of the largest networks for women in entrepreneurship 👩‍💼 in Zambia. She Entrepreneur implements its bespoke program Small Business Academy that has trained over 500 women entrepreneurs in enterprise COVID-19 resilience in the last 1️⃣8️⃣ months. Inota is a Mandela Washington Fellow , and has an academic background in Economics, Finance and Statistics 📚. At the European Development Days 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣9️⃣, she joined as a panelist at the high-level panel on "Inequality of opportunity". Follow Inota Cheta and her work at 📲

Dear network, greetings from the Alumni Board! This week, we bring to you a young leader from the United States 🇺🇸 and Nepal 🇳🇵 Banskota!

Nishchal is a Young Leader of the European Development Days 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣7️⃣ recognized for his contributions towards the achievement of SDG1 End Poverty 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 and SDG8 Decent work and economic growth 📈. Nishchal is a second-generation tea producer 🫖 and the founder of that brings certified organic teas from Nepal to the US’ market. His vision is to create a tech-enabled transparent tea trade ✈️ that bridges the gap between the primary producers and consumers. He serves as the Board of Directors of European Specialty Tea Association (ESTA). His innovative work has been featured in major publications of NyTimes New York Times and Forbes 📰 and he has been a regular speaker at various tea festivals 🎙. He is an active advocate for the UN 🇺🇳 Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. At the European Development Days 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣7️⃣ he joined as a panelist at the high-level panel on "Partnerships for civil society and local actors". Follow Nishchal and his work at ‍📲:

EuropeanCommission EU International Partnerships

Dear network, this week, we introduce Habmo from Cameroon 🇨🇲!

Habmo is a Young Leader of the European Development Days 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣5️⃣, recognized for his contributions towards the achievement of SDG10 Reduced inequalities 🟰 and SDG1 End Poverty 👨‍👨‍👧‍👦. Habmo is a young expert working on social development challenges 🌍. He works currently for the United Nations Development Programme’s 🇺🇳 Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) as a programme Analyst. Before joining the UN, he served as a research fellow at the World Bank within the Social Development Practice Group in projects promoting gender equity 👫, social cohesion and economic inclusion among displaced persons, refugees and other vulnerable communities🤝.

Habmo supports projects and campaigns to improve the lives of vulnerable groups across Africa 🌍 such as the “Conviviality Project 2019”, an exchange program funded by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) 🇺🇳 and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) 🇺🇸 to facilitate communication between refugees and host populations in Cameroon 🇨🇲. In 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣, Habmo co-authored an inspiring book 📗 “Renewing our promise to the next generation” to raise awareness on the global situation of youth in the Sahel region 🌅, as well as their aspirations and particular challenges. He is currently producing a documentary film 📽featuring “invisible” young leaders in Chad 🇹🇩 rural areas to show their ground-breaking sustainability actions in their communities ♻️. Habmo is also a member of the Technical Advisory Committee of the Research Institute for Social Development (RISD), a Think tank providing guidance 📑 to Governmental and Non-governmental organizations on support to excluded groups to address social development issues in Africa. At the European Development Days 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣5️⃣, he joined as a panelist at the high-level panel on "Migration and Development". Follow Habmo and his work at 📲

Hello network 🎉 This week we travel to Honduras 🇭🇳 to meet Ricardo!

Ricardo Pineda Guzmán from Honduras 🇭🇳 is a Young Leader of the European Development Days 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣, recognized for his contributions towards the achievement of SDG7 Affordable and clean energy ☀️and SDG13 Climate action🌱. Ricardo is a sustainable development engineer 👷‍♂️. He is a Fulbright fellow and a former forestry advisor for the European Union facilities. He is the director of Sustenta Honduras, an organization working on climate adaptation and capacity building 🧱. At the European Development Days 202🇪🇺1, he joined as a panelist at the high-level panel on "Transboundary Watersheds". Follow Ricardo and his work at🤳:

Dear Network, this week we feature one of our own Alumni Board members!👩‍🎓👩‍

Katarína Polomská from Slovakia 🇸🇰 is a Young Leader of the European Development Days 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣2️⃣, recognized for her contributions towards the achievement of SDG2 Zero hunger 🥣and SDG16 Peace, justice and strong institutions🕊. She has a background in food security and conflicts, and currently works at the Regional Representation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) 🇺🇳 for Latin America and the Caribbean in Chile🇨🇱. Her focus at the FAO is supporting the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean 🌎 in achieving their commitments from the 🏢. She also develops the green cities agenda 🏡that promotes urban development around food systems, inclusiveness and rural-urban linkages. She holds a Masters in Violence, Conflict and Development from SOAS University of London, and a Bachelor from International studies with specialization on Latin America from Universiteit Leiden / Leiden University 👩‍🎓. She holds several certificates in peace, conflict, and food security development assistance 🕊🥣. Katarína started her engagement in development and humanitarian affairs by volunteering and interning for the Stále zastúpenie SR pri EÚ v Bruseli / Permanent Representation of Slovakia to the European Union 🇸🇰🇪🇺, Amnesty International Nederland, Food Systems Summit, Youth committees of the FAO and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean Eclac and model United Nations 🇺🇳. She is one of the members of the current EDD Young Leaders Alumni board promoting the youth in public policies 📑 and also a Youth Leader of the World Food Forum. At the European Development Days 2022🇪🇺, she joined as a panelist at the high-level panel on "Sustainable Urban Development". Follow Katarína and her work at: .polomska

Unión Europea en Chile European Commission EU International Partnerships European External Action Service - EEAS

It's Monday and that means featuring another inspiring young leader!⭐️

Anaïs Matthey-Junod from Switzerland 🇨🇭 is a Young Leader of the European Development Days🇪🇺 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣2️⃣ , recognized for her contributions towards the achievement of SDG7 Affordable and clean energy 🔆 and SDG13 Climate action 🌱. Anaïs has a Master's degree in Energy Management and Sustainability. She is involved in several actions focused on clean energy access and the energy transition ⏩. She currently works in Mozambique 🇲🇿 in the humanitarian energy sector accelerating the achievement of SDG 7🔆 in displacement settings. At the European Development Days 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣2️⃣ 🇪🇺, she joined as a panelist at the high-level panel on “Integrating energy markets: Green Pathways in Latin America"🌎 Follow Anaïs and her work at:

Dear network, HAPPY NEW YEAR 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣! Let's kick it off with another EDD Young Leader!

Hovhannes Aghajanyan from Armenia 🇦🇲 is a Young Leader of the European Development Days 2016 🇪🇺, recognized for his contributions towards the achievement of SDG9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure 🧱 and SDG7 Affordable and clean energy 💡. Hovhannes is an experienced IT Professional with a proven record of accomplishment of successful projects 💻 His core expertise lies in improving public outcomes and bringing innovative, relevant and sustainable solutions to government digitalization and public sector transformation. He has a technical academic background with over 1️⃣1️⃣ years of hands-on experience in delivering industry-leading software solutions 🔑and digital products with a strong understanding of core technologies and technology trends in software product development. He has worked with commercial companies 🌐 international development agencies and national governments 🏛 At the European Development Days 2016, he joined as a panelist at the high-level panel on “ Digital technologies' contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals”. Follow Hovhannes and his work at 📲: @ hovhannesHovhannes Aghajanyan from Armenia 🇦🇲 is a Young Leader of the European Development Days 2016 🇪🇺, recognized for his contributions towards the achievement of SDG9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure 🧱 and SDG7 Affordable and clean energy 💡. Hovhannes is an experienced IT Professional with a proven record of accomplishment of successful projects 💻 His core expertise lies in improving public outcomes and bringing innovative, relevant and sustainable solutions to government digitalization and public sector transformation. He has a technical academic background with over 1️⃣1️⃣ years of hands-on experience in delivering industry-leading software solutions 🔑and digital products with a strong understanding of core technologies and technology trends in software product development. He has worked with commercial companies 🌐 international development agencies and national governments 🏛 At the European Development Days 2016, he joined as a panelist at the high-level panel on “ Digital technologies' contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals”. Follow Hovhannes and his work at 📲: @ hovhannes