Authors: Nardos Bekele, Fareed Ibrahim and Hope Dlamini
Three ONE Champions joined fellow Youth Ambassadors at the EU Power Summit in Brussels for a two-day event packed with advocacy and policy discussions with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and Permanent Representatives.
Held on 14-15 October, here are some reflections on their experience.
ONE Champion from Nigeria, Fareed meets the Irish Permanent Representation
I had the incredible opportunity to join fellow ONE Champions, Activists, and Ambassadors in Brussels for the EU Power Summit a timely gathering as the European Union prepares to agree on its next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), a seven-year budget cycle that will define the EU’s global priorities and investments. The discussions around the proposed €2 trillion budget were critical, as they will determine how Europe responds to global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and gender disparities.
As young advocates under the ONE Campaign, we came together to ensure that the next EU budget keeps its focus on people, planet, and progress. In our meetings and engagements, we presented four key recommendations that we believe are essential for building a fair, sustainable, and inclusive global future.
Our first recommendation was to defend €200.3 billion for the Global Europe Instrument, which is vital for ensuring that development cooperation, humanitarian response, and global partnerships continue to receive strong financial support. Secondly, we called on the EU to make a long-term commitment to Official Development Assistance (ODA), guaranteeing stable and predictable funding that supports the world’s most vulnerable populations.
Thirdly, we urged the EU to re-introduce clear targets for human development, climate action, and gender equality, as these are interconnected pillars that drive progress and ensure that no one is left behind. Lastly, we recommended that the EU ring-fence funding for Sub-Saharan Africa and global programmes, ensuring that resources are strategically directed toward the regions and initiatives where they are needed most.
During the Summit, I had the privilege of meeting with Ms. Mary McCarthy, the CODEV Delegate from the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU. Our conversation was insightful and reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration between advocates and policymakers. She described our recommendations as “both ambitious and necessary,” adding that “Ireland remains deeply committed to advancing human development and supporting Africa, aligning closely with the priorities you have shared.
Ms. McCarthy further emphasized that sustaining and strengthening global programmes should be a collective commitment for every country, noting that “these programmes represent solidarity and shared responsibility in addressing global challenges.” She also highlighted the urgent need to empower Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly by promoting women’s economic empowerment as a catalyst for inclusive growth and long-term resilience.
What stood out most in our conversation was her emphasis on continuous engagement between ONE and Ireland, underscoring Ireland’s readiness to collaborate and support Africa’s development agenda. Her words reflected not only Ireland’s commitment but also the shared vision that global partnerships can achieve far-reaching impact when driven by empathy, accountability, and sustained action.
The EU Power Summit was more than a policy discussion, it was a powerful reminder of the role that youth advocates can play in shaping the future. Engaging directly with policymakers and development actors in Brussels reaffirmed our belief that collective advocacy can drive meaningful change. Together, we have the power to ensure that the EU budget delivers on its promises, defending global development, protecting our planet, and empowering those who need it most.
As ONE Champions, we remain committed to advocating for a future where Europe’s global commitments translate into tangible outcomes: reducing poverty, advancing gender equality, and promoting inclusive and sustainable development across Africa and beyond. The conversations in Brussels have strengthened our resolve to continue pushing for accountability, solidarity, and action because the decisions made today will define the world we share tomorrow.
ONE Champion from Ethiopia, Nardos, and ONE Champion from South Africa, Hope, met the MEP Jalloul Muro
The EU Power Summit in Brussels was not only an opportunity to engage policymakers it was a masterclass in advocacy and collaboration. Through the exceptional training and support provided by the ONE Campaign team, we were equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and strategic clarity needed to engage meaningfully on the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
The preparatory sessions on the MFF deepened our understanding of EU external funding mechanisms, development priorities, and the critical role of safeguarding Official Development Assistance (ODA). We learned how to translate complex policy language into compelling advocacy messages that could resonate with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and Permanent Representatives (PRs).
Throughout the week, our engagements with fellow European ONE Youth Ambassadors became a powerful exercise in cross-cultural collaboration. We exchanged insights, aligned strategies, and rehearsed our policy recommendation presentations ensuring our collective voice was both coherent and impactful. The spirit of teamwork was palpable, reminding us that advocacy is strongest when informed, united, and inclusive.
A particularly memorable moment was when we alongside our EU Youth Ambassador colleagues Cecilia, Paris, and Onatkan had the privilege of meeting Spanish MEP Jalloul Muro of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) / S&D. Together, we presented our four key policy recommendations: the need for the EU to defend the €200.3 billion allocation for the Global Europe Instrument to secure stability and long-term partnerships; commit to predictable and high-quality Official Development Assistance (ODA) by increasing its share to 93% and ensuring funds target poverty reduction and inequality; reintroduce clear spending targets for human development, climate action, and gender equality, dedicating at least 20% of ODA to health, education, and social protection, 50% to climate and nature (35% for climate), and 85% to gender equality (20% as a principal objective); and ring-fence funding for Sub-Saharan Africa and global programmes to strengthen resilience and ensure sustainable, equitable growth across regions.
MEP Muro emphasized that “Africa is a continent rich in resources and diversity, and there can be no one-size-fits-all solution to its challenges.” Drawing on her Lebanese roots, she reflected on her personal connection to Africa and her awareness of the structural barriers that continue to hinder its prosperity, particularly political instability and humanitarian crises in conflict-affected regions such as Sudan. She called for strategic investment in infrastructure, gender equality, and the inclusion of women in politics, highlighting these as essential steps toward sustainable development and social stability.
She further stressed that the EU must pursue “an equal, accountable, and fair partnership between the European Union and the African Union,” built on mutual respect, transparency, and shared responsibility. Her conviction that Africa represents the future left a profound impression on all of us.
Leaving Brussels, we carried with us renewed purpose and a strengthened belief in youth engagement as a driving force for equitable EU–Africa relations. The training, dialogue, and collaboration we experienced through the ONE Campaign reaffirmed our commitment to championing policies that turn partnership into progress and words into measurable change.
