Willice Onyango, Executive Director The Youth Cafe and Séverine Peters-Desteract, Director of the Sustainable and Inclusive Economy Department at Expertise France symbolic signing of the partnership.
Project Title: EcoPeace Spaces: Youth Leading Resilience in Central Africa
Project Duration: 30 months
Project Budget: EUR 207,000
Funder: European Union
Location / Target Area: Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda
Project Description:
The project empowers youth across Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Rwanda to lead innovative climate action, strengthen environmental governance, and foster peaceful, inclusive societies. By establishing hybrid “Spaces for Youth” and supporting youth-led civil society organizations (CSOs), the initiative equips young people with leadership, peacebuilding, and environmental protection skills. Through transparent sub-granting, mentorship, and EU–Africa partnerships, the project builds institutional resilience and amplifies youth-driven solutions.
This initiative directly contributes to the Africa-Europe Youth Academy (AEYA) objectives under the Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package, aligning with priorities on youth empowerment, climate resilience, and inclusive governance.
Key Approaches:
Institutional Capacity Building: Strengthening 10 youth-led/focused CSOs to meet EU compliance standards and manage sustainable projects.
Inclusive Leadership Development: Training 1,000 youth (≥50% women; ≥25% vulnerable youth) in peacebuilding, environmental protection, and civic leadership.
Hybrid Spaces for Youth: Establishing 10 inclusive hubs across Central Africa to serve as platforms for collaboration, innovation, and advocacy.
Transparent Sub-Granting: Competitive allocation of grants (Round 1: 10×€10,000; Round 2: 2×€40,000) to scale promising youth-led initiatives.
EU–Africa Partnerships: Linking youth organizations with European institutions, policy processes, and innovation ecosystems.
Visibility and Knowledge Sharing: Producing outreach campaigns, case studies, toolkits, and policy briefs to amplify youth voices and ensure sustainability.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL): Continuous tracking of progress, accountability, and lessons learned to inform replication.
Objectives:
Overall Objective:
To contribute to the empowerment of youth in Central Africa by equipping them with the skills, platforms, and networks to lead climate action, strengthen governance, and foster peaceful, inclusive societies.
Specific Objectives:
Build the institutional and leadership capacity of 10 youth-led/focused organizations.
Equip 1,000 young people with peacebuilding, environmental protection, and civic leadership skills.
Facilitate EU–Africa partnerships linking youth initiatives with European institutions and innovation ecosystems.
Scale two high-potential youth-led initiatives through competitive sub-granting.
Project Implementing Partners:
The Youth Café (TYC)
Développement et Innovations en Milieu Rural - Democratic Republic of Congo
Youths Empowerment Scholars Initiative Rwanda - Rwanda
Integrated Youth Empowerment Center - Cameroon
Réseau des Intervenants sur le Phénome des Enfants en Rupture (REIPER) - Congo-Brazzaville
Target Groups:
10 youth-led/focused CSOs in Central Africa
1,000 youth aged 18–30 (≥50% women; ≥25% vulnerable youth including rural, displaced, and youth with disabilities)
Community hubs, civic organizations, and grassroots networks
European and African policy actors in governance, climate, and youth engagement
Expected Results / Outcomes:
10 stronger youth CSOs meeting EU compliance standards
10 hybrid “Spaces for Youth” established across Central Africa
Increased youth participation in peacebuilding and environmental sustainability
Reduced community tensions and improved resilience through youth-driven initiatives
Enhanced EU–Africa partnerships on youth engagement and civic empowerment