The Africa–Europe Youth Academy (AEYA), one of the flagship initiatives under the European Union's Youth Action Plan (YAP) and part of the Global Gateway Africa–Europe Investment Package through the Youth Mobility for Africa Flagship, has officially launched its Call for Projects, presenting an exciting opportunity for youth-led and youth-focused organizations across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Implemented by Expertise France in consortium with the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), AEYA is a four-year programme with a budget of €15 million supporting young people across 20 Sub-Saharan African countries. The programme seeks to strengthen the role of youth as leaders of sustainable development while fostering stronger partnerships and collaboration between Africa and Europe.
At its core, AEYA recognizes that young people are not only beneficiaries of development but also innovators, entrepreneurs, advocates, and community leaders capable of driving lasting social transformation.
Unlocking Opportunities for Youth-Led Organizations
The newly launched Call for Projects falls under Work Package 1 – Unlock Potential, which aims to support youth-led and youth-focused organizations in establishing inclusive "Spaces for Youth." These spaces are envisioned as hubs where young people can learn, innovate, collaborate, participate in civic life, and develop solutions to challenges affecting their communities.
The call targets projects that benefit young people aged 18–30, with a strong emphasis on inclusion by ensuring that at least 50 percent of beneficiaries are women and 25 percent are young people in situations of vulnerability.
As Jorge Pereira Pinon notes:
"Through the Youth Action Plan, the European Union is investing in spaces where young people can innovate, engage civically, and lead solutions to shared global challenges. AEYA is more than a program—it is a platform that strengthens Africa–Europe cooperation and ensures youth voices are central to shaping our common future."
Investing in Youth Innovation and Leadership
One of the defining features of AEYA is its Subgranting Component, which reflects a commitment to placing trust directly in young leaders and the organizations that serve them.
Across Africa, youth-led organizations continue to pioneer innovative solutions in areas such as climate resilience, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, civic participation, education, and social inclusion. However, many promising initiatives struggle to access financing, institutional support, and capacity-building opportunities needed to scale their impact.
AEYA addresses this challenge by channeling resources directly to youth organizations while providing the technical support required to strengthen their governance, compliance systems, and organizational sustainability.
Program Manager Esther Nora Kasee emphasizes the broader vision behind the initiative:
"This subgranting program is more than funding—it is an investment in the leadership and creativity of young people shaping Africa–Europe relations. Every grant we award is a seed planted in the fertile ground of youth innovation, destined to grow into lasting change."
Creating Spaces for Youth Across Africa
Through this Call for Projects, AEYA seeks to identify and support organizations developing innovative Spaces for Youth across the 11 countries covered by The Youth Café:
Cameroon
Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Rwanda
Ethiopia
Kenya
Malawi
Mozambique
Tanzania
Uganda
Zambia
These spaces will provide young people with opportunities to build skills, access networks, participate in decision-making, and develop community-driven solutions that contribute to sustainable development.
Reflecting on The Youth Café's role within the programme, Willice Onyango shared:
"The Youth Café was founded on the conviction that young people are not just beneficiaries of development but architects of change. Through AEYA, we are building a continental movement where youth voices shape solutions, drive resilience, and lead Africa toward a more inclusive future."
More Than Funding
Beyond financial support, AEYA offers a holistic approach to strengthening youth organizations by combining grants with mentorship, governance tools, institutional development, and compliance support.
This integrated model ensures that participating organizations are equipped not only to successfully implement their projects but also to build resilient institutions capable of sustaining impact long after the grant period ends.
As Séverine Peters-Desteract explains:
"AEYA is not only about financing projects—it is about building capacity, strengthening governance, and ensuring that youth-led organisations can thrive sustainably."
Building a Stronger Africa–Europe Partnership
The significance of this Call for Projects extends well beyond individual grants. By empowering youth-led organizations, AEYA contributes to stronger Africa–Europe cooperation while advancing progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in education, employment, climate action, social inclusion, and civic participation.
The programme also demonstrates growing confidence in youth-led development by investing directly in young leaders and the organizations working closest to communities. Through strengthened institutions and collaborative partnerships, AEYA aims to create resilient youth ecosystems capable of delivering meaningful and lasting impact across the continent.
In the words of Tracy Mwangi:
"If twenty cents could build SHOFCO, imagine what this generation can achieve with the resources, networks, and belief that AEYA is placing in their hands. Grassroots innovation, when supported, has the power to transform entire communities and nations."
A Call to Shape the Future
The launch of the AEYA Call for Projects marks a significant milestone in advancing youth leadership across Africa. It represents more than a funding opportunity, it is an invitation for youth-led organizations to transform ideas into action, strengthen their institutions, and contribute to building more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable communities.
Organizations with innovative ideas that create opportunities for young people are encouraged to apply and become part of a growing movement that is placing youth leadership at the centre of Africa–Europe cooperation and sustainable development.
For eligible organizations, this is an opportunity to secure resources, strengthen institutional capacity, and amplify their impact while joining a network of changemakers working toward a shared vision of a more prosperous and inclusive future.