BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MBABANE – Young people are gaining practical tools, confidence and networks to serve their communities following a Peer-to-Peer learning workshop hosted by the Eswatini Red Cross Society Youth Committee and the European Union in Eswatini Youth Sounding Board.
The engagement centred on governance, volunteerism, humanitarian response and youth advocacy, themes that directly influence how youth participate in community development and decision-making spaces. By sharing lived experiences from their respective organisations, participants discovered practical ways to strengthen their leadership roles and expand their impact at community level.
For many of the young leaders, the session offered rare exposure to how another youth structure operates. Discussions unpacked how decisions are made, how youth voices are represented and how programmes are implemented on the ground. This exchange of knowledge helped participants see new possibilities for their own initiatives and sharpened their understanding of responsible leadership.
Branch Development Coordinator at the Eswatini Red Cross Society, Ncamsile Gama, said the workshop created meaningful space for cooperation between the two youth groups.
“This particular experience proved highly beneficial for both the Eswatini Red Cross Society Youth Committee and the EU Youth Sounding Board as they were able to identify areas of collaboration and draft an action plan for continued engagement and joint initiatives,” she said.
A key outcome of the workshop was the development of an action plan that will guide future joint programmes. For the youth, this was more than a discussion point, it was a commitment to continue working together on initiatives that will reach more young people and communities.
The benefits of this collaboration are practical and far-reaching. Participants gained insight into how volunteers are mobilised during emergencies, how humanitarian support is coordinated and how youth can actively contribute during times of crisis. These are real-world skills that build teamwork, responsibility and problem-solving abilities.
The session also strengthened youth advocacy. By understanding governance systems and leadership practices, young leaders are better prepared to represent the interests of their peers and contribute meaningfully to development conversations within their organisations and communities.
Equally important were the networks formed. The relationships built between the two youth groups create opportunities for continued learning, mentorship and shared community projects. Such networks often become platforms where ideas, opportunities and resources are exchanged for the benefit of a wider group of young people.
The ongoing partnership between the Eswatini Red Cross Society and the European Union in Eswatini demonstrates how strategic collaboration can nurture youth leadership and empower young people to take responsibility in community development.
Through this engagement, the youth are not only learning, they are preparing to lead. The knowledge gained, the action plan developed and the connections established are expected to translate into stronger youth participation in humanitarian work, governance and service across Eswatini.
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