Joint Youth Statement: A Call for Inclusive Partnership in Advancing Ethiopia’s YPS National Action Plan (NAP)
Published on October 28, 2025
At Positive Peace Ethiopia (PPE), we are committed to fostering youth-led initiatives that drive sustainable peace, security, and inclusive governance across Ethiopia and beyond. In partnership with Sustainable Cooperation for Peace & Security (SCPS), we recently hosted the Youth, Peace & Security Symposium in Addis Ababa on October 27, 2025. This event brought together 20 young women and men from diverse institutions, including civil society organizations (CSOs), universities, and community initiatives, to amplify youth voices in shaping Ethiopia’s national peacebuilding agenda.
Supported by the Africa–Europe Foundation, the symposium culminated in a powerful Joint Youth Statement—a youth-led call to action that urges key stakeholders to institutionalize the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda in Ethiopia. This statement marks a pivotal step as Ethiopia embarks on developing its YPS National Action Plan (NAP), drawing inspiration from global best practices, including Italy’s recent experiences and broader European civil society networks.
As we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the UN Youth, Peace and Security Agenda (UNSCR 2250) and look ahead to the 7th AU–EU Summit in Luanda, this statement underscores the indispensable role of Ethiopian youth in national and regional peacebuilding strategies. It advocates for equitable Africa–Europe collaborations that empower youth as equal partners, not just beneficiaries.
Key Highlights from the Joint Youth Statement
The statement is structured around five core sections: Context & Purpose, Youth Expectations for Partnership, Call to Action for Institutions & Donors, Legitimacy and Process, and Commitment. Below is a detailed overview:
- Context & Purpose
Ethiopia stands at a critical juncture, with a demonstrated political commitment to initiating a YPS NAP. The statement highlights the need to leverage youth-led inputs to create robust participation mechanisms. By drawing from Europe’s civil society expertise, we aim to establish a more equitable and impactful collaboration model that strengthens Ethiopia’s broader civil society networks and ensures youth voices are at the forefront of policy development. - Youth Expectations for Partnership
From interactive workshop sessions, youth leaders outlined essential expectations for meaningful partnerships between European civil society and Ethiopian youth-led organizations:
- Institutional Strengthening and Technical Mentorship: Direct expert support to enable Ethiopian youth-led CSOs to co-create policy-ready inputs and participate effectively in NAP dialogues.
- Peer Exchange and Twinning Projects: Joint programs, study exchanges, and volunteering initiatives between Italian/European youth platforms and Ethiopian networks to share best practices and foster mutual learning.
- Shared Platforms and Strategic Advocacy: European partners should amplify Ethiopian youth contributions in international forums, strengthening their visibility and influence.
- Flexible, Multi-Year Funding: Transparent grant processes that provide immediate, inclusive funding, positioning youth organizations as co-implementers and decision-makers, moving beyond traditional recipient models.
- Call to Action for Institutions & Donors
The statement issues targeted calls to key actors:
- To the Government of Ethiopia: Officially recognize and resource a Permanent Youth Consultative Mechanism (or “Body”) to monitor and guide the NAP throughout its lifecycle.
- To the Africa–Europe Foundation and Global Partners (UN, AUC): Broker sustainable alliances between European civil society and Ethiopian youth organizations for co-designing, monitoring, and evaluating the NAP framework.
- To the European Union (EU) Institutions and Member States: Commit to flexible, multi-year funding with transparent co-leadership roles for youth, ensuring accountability frameworks prioritize youth decision-making.
- Legitimacy and Process
This Joint Statement emerged from a fully youth-led, participatory process:
- 16 youth representatives from Ethiopian CSOs, universities, and community initiatives engaged in a full-day workshop in Addis Ababa.
- Sessions included plenary discussions, group work, and consultations mapping needs across the five YPS pillars (Participation, Protection, Prevention, Partnership, and Disengagement & Reintegration).
- A facilitated co-creation exercise identified priorities, challenges, and expectations.
- Findings were synthesized by PPE and SCPS to authentically represent youth voices in policy spaces.
- Commitment
PPE and SCPS pledge to collaborate in finalizing, disseminating, and advocating for this statement across national and regional networks. Signed in Addis Ababa on October 28, 2025, by:
- Chalachew Worku, Founding Director, Positive Peace Ethiopia (PPE)
- On behalf of the board, Luca Omar Tancredi, Board Member, Sustainable Cooperation for Peace & Security (SCPS)
Contact: contact@ppeth.org | www.ppeth.org
SCPS Contact: info@sustainablepeace.eu | www.sustainablepeace.eu
Why This Matters
This initiative reaffirms our dedication to elevating youth as agents of positive change. By institutionalizing the YPS agenda, we can build resilient societies where young people lead in preventing conflict, promoting peace, and driving inclusive development. The symposium’s outcomes reflect the energy and insights of Ethiopia’s youth, ensuring local ownership and legitimacy in all efforts.
We invite policymakers, donors, civil society partners, and the public to join us in this movement. Share your thoughts, collaborate on implementation, and help amplify youth voices for a peaceful future.
Download the Full Joint Youth Statement PDF
Download PDF Here
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