About the Programme
Youth in Africa stand on the forefront of intercultural exchange, fight against poverty, corruption, climate change, green and digital transformation, innovation and peace and reconciliation in conflict areas. They are better connected to the rest of the world and many champion civil, political, economic, social and cultural human rights. Similarly, young Europeans show increasing awareness of global issues and interest in exchanging and cooperating with young Africans and vice versa.
Innovative participatory approaches are needed to facilitate engagement, beyond the privileged, connected youth, with those from different social strata and rural and urban communities. To realise their full potential, youth should gain access to opportunities (education, employment, entrepreneurship, etc.) and should be more engaged, empowered and connected.
The European Union and the African Union put forward the AU-EU Youth Lab, a new programme that builds on the success of the AU-EU Youth Plug-In initiative and the AU-EU Youth Cooperation Hub and results from extensive consultations with hundreds of young people from both continents.
PILLAR 1
PARTICIPATION &
REPRESENTATION
Advancing youth participation and
representation in policy and decision making processes.
PILLAR 2
EMPORWERMENT &
CAPACITY BUILDING
Providing training and capacity building
to young people and youth organisations.
PILLAR 3
YOUTH
INITIATIVES
Providing financial/grant support
to youth-led initiatives.