Youth Sounding Board Cameroon scheme: EU Ambassador prescribes teamwork to maiden cohort.

This was during a farewell ceremony of the first cohort of the YSB Cameroon.

The YSB Cameroon is an initiative of the EU to Cameroon. Officials said it is aimed at ensuring the meaningful involvement of young people in shaping EU policies and actions in Cameroon.

The 25 members of the first cohort from the 10 regions were selected out of over 300 applications, it was disclosed. They are leaders of community groups, entrepreneurs and workers of different sectors of life.

Speaking during the farewell ceremony, the EU Ambassador emphasised the importance of teamwork. He stressed that “no one is intelligent enough to succeed alone”.

Chataigner said that by working together, they can achieve great things. According to the EU ambassador, teamwork is key to success. He also expressed the hope that their collaborative work will open new horizons, facilitate connections and foster exchange in other regions, particularly in understanding the European Union.

The diplomat highlighted the need to build bridges and not walls, stressing that such is crucial for Cameroon’s unity, progress and stability.

He also urged them to shun xenophobia, racism, hate speech and tribalism, which can lead to war and hostilities.

“It was an extraordinary experience. It was the first experience for us and the young people. We had to experience the difficulties together but we also learnt when we have to work together,” Chataigner noted, adding that “we are cleverer when we work together”.

Calls for second cohort

The EU Ambassador announced that the launch of call for the second cohort next year. 

He added that focus will be on experience, exchange, dialogue, and discussion with the first cohort to do better with the second cohort.

EU Ambassador on Erasmus programme

Speaking specifically on the EU student exchange programme known as Erasmus, the ambassador said it is an extraordinary program to study in Europe in high level domains like Artificial Intelligence, AI.

He said the Cameroonians, who have travelled to Sweden, Italy, France and Switzerland, will discover what Europe is, and its extraordinary diversity.

“They have the possibility to learn not only professional skills but also human skills. I really hope that they will be in the position to bring back this experience with others to their country,” the EU ambassador.

Enter YSB Cameroon president

The President of YSB Cameroon, Nkemcha Martin Tiku thanked the EU Delegation to Cameroon for the opportunity to be part of the initiative.

He said they are “active, educated and intelligent” and are ready to take action and do great things for the nation and for the continent.

Tiku described their two-year experience since July 2023, as an inspiring journey. He said members of the cohort were trained on how to develop and manage and implement youth projects in the various fields.

“I have learnt a lot about networking and consulting with about five different embassies of the European Union based in Cameroon,” Tiku said.

He added that: “Together with the 24 other members of the YSB, we are doing our best to develop ourselves, our enterprises and together keep developing our communities”.

Tiku also encouraged the youth to develop themselves personally, to stay positive and have a positive mindset.

“Stay resilient in whatever you do and get a mentor for yourself for counselling, orientation and together, you will be a change maker and impact your community,” Tiku said.

It is important to mention that members of the first cohort of YSB Cameroon divided themselves into four groups viz: youth empowerment and employment commission; climate change and green agriculture commission, good governance and electoral procedure commission and communication commission.

It was also revealed that two YSB members participated at two international conferences viz; the Youth Climate Summit in Nairobi and the Global Gateway High Level Youth event in Brussels, Belgium.

The president also highlighted several difficulties encountered. He cited limited funding to carry out the activities, difficulties displacing themselves to other regions. He said they were also frustrated not to have fully utilised their two-year programme.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3520 of Friday August 01, 2025