YHO Collaboration Month: March 2026 Highlights


March was more than a series of meetings – it was a story of voices coming together, ideas sparking, and collective energy shaping the future of youth health. As the third edition of Collaboration Month comes to a close, we look back with gratitude and pride at how our community transformed the Strategy 2026-2030 into action, strengthened bonds among members, and prepared for the Correspondence General Assembly with confidence.

The Journey Through Our Meetings

It began with vision.  

In Meeting 1, Strategy & Action Plan: Introduction, we unveiled the pillars of our new strategy: evidence & leadership, membership & alliances, youth health support, and organizational resilience. Members leaned in with curiosity, exploring initiatives like the Youth Health Knowledge Hub and the Youth Health Ambassadors Pool. For newer members, it was a moment of orientation – a chance to see where they fit into the bigger picture.

Then came collaboration.  

Meeting 2, Strategy & Action Plan: Further Discussion,  pushed us deeper. Members voiced the need for capacity‑building workshops and an advisory council of experts. The call was clear: our 59 organizations must not only connect through YHO, but also with each other. One participant captured the spirit perfectly:

“We need more structured opportunities for exchange and joint initiatives.”

We turned inward to strengthen bonds.  

Meeting 3, Member Engagement & Internal Processes, was about engagement. Together, we examined the member subpage – a tool full of potential but underused. Ideas flowed: monthly “Monday for Members” one‑on‑one meetings, a Slack channel for informal exchanges, and new ways to track engagement. The Unmasking Industry Influence project emerged as a chance to grow skills and expand our pool of trainers.

Finally, we ensured transparency.  

Meeting 4, Financial Overview & Preparation, for GA brought us to the numbers. Reviewing the 2025 financial report, we clarified that the €34,000 balance reflected funds available, not profits. Members appreciated the clearer breakdown, and we prepared together for the Correspondence General Assembly – reinforcing trust in our processes.

What We Achieved Together

  • We turned the Strategy 2026 – 2030 into concrete steps.
  • We reimagined how members engage and communicate.
  • We strengthened transparency in financial processes.
  • Above all, we celebrated the spirit of collaboration that defines YHO.

Celebrating Our Stars!

This month also shone a spotlight on dedication. Krysta Cutajar and Nino Chkhetiani were recognized as the most active members of Collaboration Month. Their commitment will be featured in our upcoming newsletter, inspiring the wider network with their voices and perspectives.

Looking Ahead

Collaboration Month was not just about meetings – it was about building trust, sharing perspectives, and laying the foundation for a future where youth health thrives globally. The story continues, and together, we are making YHO stronger, more inclusive, and more impactful.

A message from Nino Chkhetiani, member representative:

“Representing the Georgian organization “Youth for Public Health,” and building on years of collaboration with YHO, I value how it consistently creates a shared environment for growth. Participating in Collaboration Month gave me a clearer understanding of YHO’s strategic direction and how we can actively contribute to its development, while also strengthening our own organizations. The focus on capacity-building and member engagement offered practical insights that I can directly apply in my work and exploring the YHO member subpage provided useful tools and information that make engagement more accessible and effective.”