Bahrain Highlights Youth-Led Innovation in Budapest

Bahrain highlighted the growing role of young people in shaping communities and driving future-focused initiatives during the “Hope Network – Brain Bar 2026” event in Budapest.

Minister of Youth Affairs Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfiqi attended the event, held on the sidelines of the Brain Bar future festival, alongside Brain Bar founder and Hope Network member Gergely P. Nagy and other network members and participants.

Tawfiqi said the Hope Network provides an international platform for youth, policymakers and experts from different countries and sectors to exchange expertise, develop partnerships and transform ideas into initiatives with tangible impact.

She highlighted Bahrain’s approach to placing youth investment at the centre of its future vision by developing skills and creating an environment that supports active youth participation.

The Minister also pointed to rapid technological developments as an opportunity to expand communication and knowledge exchange among young people. She stressed the importance of using these opportunities to increase youth engagement in issues affecting their communities, strengthen cooperation and turn ideas into practical initiatives and partnerships.

As part of the event, Tawfiqi presented Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi, United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Youth Affairs, with a Hope Network case study on the UAE’s “Youth Spaces” initiative. The study highlighted the experience of creating youth-led spaces designed to encourage participation and community engagement.

The gathering also featured a recorded address by Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), who affirmed that the youth of GCC countries receive significant attention from their leaders in recognition of their important role in shaping the future.