Project Africa-Europe Youth Academy (AEYA) - Develop youth leadership in Sub-Saharan Africa

With 70% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 30, African youth represent a driving force that will shape the continent’s trajectory in the coming years. By 2050, the youth population in Africa is expected to double, highlighting the urgency of addressing the needs and aspirations of this demographic. By 2100, half of the world’s youth will be African, positioning the continent as a key player in global affairs.

Yet African youth face major challenges such as:

• High unemployment,
• Economic insecurity,
• Limited access to essential services (healthcare, education),
• Political disengagement,
• Distrust in institutions,
• Underrepresentation in decision-making bodies.

In light of these factors, Africa’s youthful demographic today represents a unique opportunity to address many of the continent’s challenges — from employment to political instability. With the right investments in education, skills development, and leadership opportunities, young people can indeed become agents of change and innovation in Africa’s ongoing growth and transformation, as well as in building bridges with Europe.

Young people in Africa are increasingly turning to civil society to demand change:

• High political participation,
• Better governance,
• Opportunities for economic progress.

Thet Africa-Europe Youth Academy (AEYA) project aims to strengthen youth leadership in sub-Saharan Africa so that young people can act as “leaders” and “multipliers” of impact and implement sustainable development actions, while building bridges between Africa and Europe. 

The AEYA project mostly aims at young men and women aged 18-30, with a focus on young people from vulnerable communities and a specific gender-related objective (OECD DAC 1).

We are working in partnership with youth associations, organizations supporting youth entrepreneurship, and other youth support structures.

1. UNLOCK: Unlocking the potential of youth

Objective: Improving access for young people (including young women, vulnerable youth and people with disabilities) to spaces where they can fully express their leardership potential. 

Methodology: Supporting ‘Spaces for Youth’ created by and for young people across the continent with grants, training and capacity-building.

Results:

• Up to 50 youth organisations receiving grants
• Up to 10 youth organisations receiving technical assistance to create or develop a ‘Space for Youth’
• Up to 10 European actors involved in ‘Spaces for Youth’
   

2. AMPLIFY: Developing young people’s potential 

Objective: Offering training to young leaders so that they can bring about positive changes within their communities (by engaging in activities that address gender inequalities and challenges related to vulnerability) and become "multipliers" to enable other young people to take action. 

Methodology: Financing and suppporting the creation of training programmes dedicated to leadership in each countries (through organisations which support youth or universities).

Results:

• 1,000 youth trained in leadership skills (50% women)
• 150 young leaders awarded prizes to boost their projects
• 10 organisations supporting the youth capacity-built

3. CONNECT: Integrated activities

Objective: Promoting inclusive and youth leadership at the local, national, and international levels.

Methodology: Develop online training and mentoring programmes for young people, including alumni from European Union funded projects; organise events by and for youth at the local level.

Results:

• 1,300 young women and men connected through an online mentoring programme
• 1,000 youth trained online
• 400 alumni from EU programmes enrolled
• 6 courses created on Africa-Europe content
• Local events involving 1,200 young people in our countries of operation