YouthConnekt National Summit Volunteers

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in some 170 countries and territories, supporting their own solutions to development challenges and developing national and local capacities that will help them achieve human development and the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated on three main focus areas: Sustainable development; Democratic governance and peacebuilding; Climate and disaster resilience. UNDP helps countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we promote gender equality and the protection of human rights. UNDP has enhanced its support to countries to work towards the eradication of extreme poverty, enabling us to build back better and work towards innovative solutions to the complex global challenges. We have refined our service offering through six signature solutions to provide a more integrated response to the development challenges that we are all facing in this complex global environment. This includes a mix of policy advice, technical assistance, catalytic financing and innovative programmes tailored to country specific needs to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals through six our signature solutions on - poverty, governance, resilience, environment, energy, gender equality.

The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts (MYSA) is responsible for the development and implementation of youth, sport and arts programmes to facilitate realization of their full potential. Through its Department of Youth, the Ministry coordinates, monitors, and executes youth development initiatives focused on empowerment and skills training. The Department’s overarching goal is to deliver practical, effective, and sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by young people—enabling them to contribute meaningfully to Zambia’s economic transformation and job creation.

The 2025 YouthConnekt National Summit is scheduled to take place from 17th to 18th November 2025 at the Government Complex in Lusaka, Zambia. This high-impact event will convene youth agripreneurs, policymakers, investors, development partners, Government officials, and other key stakeholders. Under the theme “Green Hustle: Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Agriculture,” the summit envisions a future where young people lead the transformation of agriculture—from a subsistence activity to a vibrant, innovative, and entrepreneurial sector. In addition to SDG 8, SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 13 Climate Action is being promoted.

The 2025 YouthConnekt National Summit intends to achieve the following:

• Increase youth engagement in agripreneurship.
• Promote awareness and uptake of existing public sector programmes such as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC), and Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) to support youth-led business ventures.
• Build strengthened ecosystems for Innovation.
• Improve access to resources and opportunities.
• Build connections and partnerships.
• Capacity building of youth through training and facilitate connections to industry experts, mentors and peers.
• Provide a platform for young people to share their experiences, solutions, and aspirations to influence Zambia’s development agenda, particularly in relation to agriculture, environment, and employment.

By pursuing these objectives, the Summit seeks to reimagine agriculture as a dynamic sector led by youth innovation and entrepreneurship, while aligning with national development priorities.

In line with the National Volunteer Policy (2022), the Ministry recognizes volunteerism as a key driver of social and economic development. The Summit presents a unique opportunity to promote volunteerism as a core national value.

The Ministry acknowledges the vital role volunteers play in the youth sector and is therefore inviting 10 onsite volunteers to support the successful delivery of the 2025 YouthConnekt National Summit. Volunteers bring diverse skills, perspectives, and energy that will enrich the summit experience. Their involvement will help foster a spirit of collaboration, innovation, and community engagement.

Under the supervision of the Director, Youth Development, Ministry of Youth, Sport and Art, YouthConnekt National Summit Volunteer will:

• Coordinate preparatory meetings and take minutes.
• Assist in reviewing and selecting youth participants; compile contact lists.
• Draft and send invitations; follow up on confirmations.
• Identify potential sponsors/partners and support related meetings.
• Help design the innovation challenge and engage youth innovators.
• Support logistics for pitch sessions and judging panels.
• Contribute to social media campaigns and content creation.
• Assist with procurement documentation.
• Set up and manage the help desk.
• Facilitate registration and welcome attendees.
• Support session moderation and Q&A facilitation.
• Enable networking among attendees, speakers, and sponsors.
• Provide ushering and chaperoning support.
• Collect and compile attendee feedback.