Terms of Reference (ToR): Youth Advisory Board (YAB) to the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Lao PDR

1. Background and Rationale

The United Nations, including the World Bank, recognizes young people as key partners in achieving sustainable development and advancing the 2030 Agenda. The UN Youth Strategy Youth2030 positions young people as agents of change and emphasizes the need for meaningful youth engagement across all levels of decision-making. 

In Lao PDR, young people bring important perspectives and experience that can help inform the country’s development pathway, including in the context of LDC graduation and broader efforts to advance skills development, decent work, safe migration, health, quality education, climate resilience, and social inclusion. These areas are closely linked to the work of the UN in Lao PDR under the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and its Partnership Strategy, which emphasize inclusive, multi stakeholder partners and the principle of leaving no one behind. 

Many UN agencies already engage young people through sector-specific initiatives, consultations, and programme activities. While these efforts are valuable, they are often implemented within individual agency mandates and may not always provide a coherent, system-wide channel for youth perspectives to inform UNCT-level priorities and decision-making.

The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is therefore established as a structured, cross-cutting advisory mechanism to bring diverse youth perspectives to the UNCT. It will help consolidate insights from young people across different backgrounds and locations, strengthen the youth responsiveness of UN policies and programmes, and complement existing agency-level youth engagement mechanisms. Through the YAB, the UNCT aims to make youth engagement more systematic, inclusive, and meaningful in support of sustainable development in Lao PDR.

2. Purpose

The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) will serve as a formal advisory body to the UNCT in Lao PDR, providing strategic input, feedback, and recommendations to ensure that UN policies, programs, and partnerships are youth-responsive, inclusive, and impactful.

3. Objectives

The objectives of the Youth Advisory Board are to:

• Provide strategic advice to the UNCT on youth-related priorities, policies, and programs 
• Highlight issues and gaps affecting young people across different backgrounds and locations to inform UNCT priorities
• Support partnership, communication and advocacy efforts related to youth 

4. Functions and Responsibilities

Advisory Role: provide inputs, feedback, and recommendations to the UNCT on selected policies, programmes, strategies, partnerships, and initiatives to ensure they are youth-responsive, inclusive and relevant to the needs and priorities of young people in Lao PDR.

This may include: 

• Participate in and provide youth perspectives in selected UN consultations, dialogues, and events;
• Engage with broader youth networks and communities to gather inputs on key issues, gaps and emerging priorities. 
• Contribute practical suggestions to strengthen the effectiveness and relevance of UN initiatives supporting young people in Lao PDR. 

Advocacy and Outreach: support the sharing of information on UNCT priorities, processes, and opportunities for youth engagement with young people, while promoting broader awareness and participation. 

This may include; 

• Champions of UN values and SDGs
• Support awareness-raising campaigns and initiatives
• Promote inclusive youth participation

5. Composition and Membership

Size: The YAB will consist of 10 members. This size is intended to ensure effective engagement with the UNCT while ensuring meaningful diversity of perspectives. 

Representation Principles: The composition of the YAB will reflect diversity among young people in Lao PDR. This includes balanced consideration of geographic areas, gender (minimum 50% women), diversity in abilities (education, disability, ethnicity, etc.), and different social and economic backgrounds. 

Age: Members will be within the youth age range at 18–24 years to ensure their full participation in formal advisory process.

Selection Modalities: Selection will be conducted through an open and transparent process, including an open call and/or nominations. Eligible candidates will be assessed based on motivation, commitment, and ability to contribute constructively. Geographic balance will be considered through a review of applicants from different areas of Lao PDR, with attention to overall composition rather than fixed quotas. The process will also ensure diversity in gender, abilities, and social backgrounds. Final selection will be made in consultation with UNCT/RCO to ensure an inclusive and balanced group.

6. Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be within the youth age range (18–24 years) at the time of application and throughout the membership term. 
• Be residing in Lao PDR;
• Be able to communicate effectively in Lao and/or English
• Be willing and able to actively participate in YAB activities and discussions;
• Have access to basic communication tools (e.g. phone and/or internet);

7. Duration of Membership: August 2026 – July 2028 (2 years) with possibility of renewal. 

8. Working Modalities

• At least 2 meetings per year (in-person or virtual), plus events, training, and other activities. 

9. Support Provided by the UN

• Official recognition as members of the Youth Advisory Board;
• An invitation or appointment letter signed by the UN Resident Coordinator; 
• UN/YAB identification items, such as official pins, where applicable; 
• Orientation, training, and capacity-building opportunities; 
• Opportunities to participate in selected UN consultations, dialogues, events, and initiatives; 
• An official UN Certificate of Appreciation upon completion of the membership term.

The UNCT will:

• Provide orientation and capacity-building sessions
• Facilitate participation in UN processes
• Ensure safe, inclusive, and respectful engagement, including attention to safeguarding and do-no-harm principles;
• Cover reasonable costs related to participation (where applicable)

10. Guiding Principles

The YAB will operate under the following principles:

• Meaningful participation
• Inclusivity and diversity
• Transparency and accountability
• Do no harm and safeguarding
• Youth-led and rights-based approach

These principles are consistent with Youth2030 and EU guidance on youth advisory structures.

11. Expected Results

• Strengthened youth engagement in UN processes, including improved performance of Youth scorecard. 
• Improved relevance and responsiveness of UN programs, policies and partnerships to youth priorities. 
• Enhanced partnerships and two-way communication between UN and youth stakeholders
• Increased visibility of youth priorities in national development processes
• Better integrated of youth perspectives into UNCT planning, programming, advocacy and partnership efforts.