On 8 May 2026, The Youth Café hosted the official signing ceremony of the Africa-Europe Youth Academy (AEYA) partnership at its offices in Kitisuru Gardens, Nairobi. Implemented by Expertise France under the auspices of the European Union, the initiative will provide strategic funding and capacity-building support to youth-led organisations across 11 Central, East and Southern Africa.

The programme is being implemented by The Youth Café in partnership with 10 associate organisations: Southern Africa Youth Forum (SAYoF) (Zambia), Taremba Association for Community Development (Mozambique), Development Path for Community Transformation (DEPCOT) (Uganda), Binti Makini Foundation (Tanzania), Youth Wave (Malawi), East Action Organization (EAO) (Ethiopia), Développement et Innovations en Milieu Rural (DRC), Youths Empowerment Scholars Initiative Rwanda (Rwanda), Integrated Youth Empowerment Center (Cameroon) and Réseau des Intervenants sur le Phénome des Enfants en Rupture (REIPER) (Congo-Brazzaville). Together, these partners will ensure local ownership and contextual expertise in delivering AEYA’s vision.

Opening and Welcome Remarks

The ceremony began with Rachael Ndava, Master of Ceremonies, who welcomed guests warmly and outlined the programme. She emphasized the collaborative spirit of the day, acknowledging the presence of government officials, diplomats, and youth leaders, and set the tone for a dignified yet celebratory event that underscored the importance of partnership and shared vision.

Delivering the first institutional welcome, Willice Onyango, Executive Director of The Youth Café, extended heartfelt greetings to participants and partners. He spoke passionately about the organisation’s journey and its unwavering commitment to youth empowerment across Africa. Willice reminded the audience that The Youth Café was founded on the belief that young people are not just beneficiaries of development but active architects of change.

He framed the AEYA partnership as a transformative milestone, one that would provide young leaders with the resources, networks, and recognition they need to thrive. He highlighted the importance of creating safe and innovative youth spaces where ideas can be nurtured into impactful solutions, and stressed that the collaboration with Expertise France and the European Union is not just about funding, but about building a continental movement of empowered youth organisations.

In closing, Willice reaffirmed The Youth Café’s dedication to ensuring that the AEYA programme becomes a beacon of opportunity, resilience, and leadership for the next generation across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Institutional Speeches

Mr. Mustafa Ibrahim, Deputy Director General and Head of Policy, Research and Strategic Analysis Directorate, represented Dr. Abraham Korir Sing’oei, Principal Secretary at the State Department for Foreign Affairs. He emphasized Kenya’s commitment to strengthening Africa-Europe cooperation and highlighted the strategic role of youth in shaping the future of the continent under AU Agenda 2063. His remarks underscored the importance of international partnerships that foster youth leadership, innovation, and mobility, while positioning Kenya as a regional hub for youth engagement and opportunity.

Dr. Josephine Etenyi, Youth Development Secretary, reaffirmed the Government’s dedication to supporting inclusive environments that enable young people to unlock their potential and actively participate in leadership and development. Speaking on behalf of Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy, she hailed AEYA as a milestone in strengthening youth participation across Africa and Europe. She emphasized that platforms like The Youth Café are vital in empowering youth through innovation, creativity, and meaningful participation in national development, and stressed the government’s commitment to ensuring that youth voices are heard and integrated into policy-making processes.

Mr. Augustine Mayabi, National Project Manager of the NYOTA Project, highlighted the importance of creating practical and sustainable opportunities for vulnerable young people. He underscored pathways such as skills development, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and employment as critical to socio-economic inclusion. He reflected on lessons learned from implementing youth-focused initiatives in Kenya, noting that coordinated approaches and partnerships are essential in building resilient youth ecosystems that can deliver long-term impact.

Jorge Pereira Pinon, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Kenya, reiterated the EU’s commitment to youth empowerment and inclusion. He outlined the EU Youth Action Plan, stressing the importance of investing in spaces that foster innovation, civic engagement, and youth-led solutions. He described AEYA as a platform that will strengthen Africa-Europe cooperation while addressing shared global challenges, and emphasized the EU’s vision of meaningful youth participation, mobility, and leadership opportunities.

Séverine Peters-Desteract, Director of the Sustainable and Inclusive Economy Department at Expertise France, presented the AEYA programme’s vision and objectives. She highlighted prospects for East and Central Africa and acknowledged the role of partners in ensuring its success. Her remarks emphasized that AEYA is not only about financial support but also about building capacity, strengthening governance, and ensuring sustainability in youth-led organisations.

Representing The Youth Café Board, Tracy Mwangi delivered an inspiring speech that captured the spirit of grassroots leadership. She told the story of Kennedy Odede, who in 2004 saved 20 cents from his factory wages in Kibera to buy a soccer ball and gather his community. That act grew into SHOFCO – Shining Hope for Communities, now reaching over 2 million people across Kenya. Tracy used this story to underscore AEYA’s bold vision: to provide youth organisations with the runway they need so they don’t have to start from almost nothing. “If 20 cents built SHOFCO,” she reflected, “imagine what this generation can build with the resources, networks, and belief that AEYA is about to place in their hands.” Her remarks resonated deeply, reminding participants that grassroots innovation, when supported, can transform entire communities and nations.

Symbolic Launch and Networking

The ceremony culminated in the symbolic signing of the partnership, the exchange of folders, and official photographs with institutional partners. The event closed with acknowledgements and a cocktail reception, offering guests an opportunity to network, reflect on the significance of the day, and build new connections that will sustain the momentum of AEYA. The convivial atmosphere underscored the spirit of collaboration and optimism that defined the launch, leaving participants inspired and committed to advancing youth empowerment across Africa and Europe.

Programme Highlights

AEYA will provide €621,000 in sub-grants to youth-led organisations in 11 countries.
30 youth organisations will receive initial grants of €10,000 each, with six organisations selected for additional scaling support of €40,000.
The programme will train 1,000 young leaders, equipping them with skills in governance, project management, communication, monitoring and evaluation and sustainability.
The initiative will promote resilience, green jobs and digital futures for young people, positioning them as active contributors to sustainable development.
The Government of Kenya announced plans to conduct National Youth Council elections in July 2026, reinforcing its commitment to youth participation.