AU-EU Youth Action Lab is a transformative initiative under the broader AU-EU Youth Lab programme, designed to address the lack of opportunities for youth in Africa and Europe to collaborate, innovate, and drive solutions to shared challenges. Implemented by a dynamic consortium including Oxfam, Restless Development, and the European Youth Forum, the Youth Action Lab empowers young changemakers across continents.

The Youth Action Lab envisions a world where young people are engaged, empowered, and connected — shaping policy, leading initiatives, and driving solutions with long-term impact. The programme builds on the voices and priorities of young people to create sustainable opportunities for action and advocacy across 12 African focus countries and Europe.

VIEW GRANTS

Key Opportunities

The AU-EU Youth Action Lab Grants

Are a key component of the programme, offering 110 flexible and inclusive grants ranging from €5,000 to €50,000 to support youth-led initiatives addressing local and global challenges across Africa and Europe. These grants empower young people to lead impactful solutions, foster collaboration, and strengthen connections between youth-led organisations and networks. The grants prioritise powershifting by placing young people at the center of decision-making. View all grants here.

Digital Collaboration Platform

Connecting youth organisations through Power to Voices, a safe, inclusive space to co-create, share experiences, and scale solutions.

Capacity Strengthening

Providing tailored training, mentorship, and peer learning opportunities to help youth organisations thrive and amplify their impact.

Youth Advisory Board (YAB)

At the heart of the AU-EU Youth Action Lab is the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) — a group of diverse, dynamic young leaders who play a central role in shaping and steering the programme. They ensure that youth voices remain at the core of all decision-making processes, from designing the funding mechanism to selecting grant recipients. Representing under-represented and marginalised groups, the YAB co-creates strategies, promotes inclusivity, and drives meaningful engagement across Africa and Europe.

The YAB is more than an advisory body; it is a key decision-maker, actively shaping how funds are allocated and ensuring that the grants respond to the real priorities of young people. By empowering their peers and amplifying their voices, the YAB embodies the programme’s vision of power-sharing and youth-led change, ensuring the Youth Action Lab truly serves the needs of its participants.

Vision

A connected, inclusive society where youth leadership, advocacy, and innovation drive lasting solutions across Africa and Europe.

General Objective

To foster a youth-responsive, inclusive environment that empowers young people to take the lead in creating positive change for their communities and across continents.

Specific Objectives

The AU-EU Youth Action Lab harnesses the power, creativity, and resilience of young people to build a more inclusive, equitable future for all.

Empowering Youth

Equipping young changemakers to design and implement solutions addressing local and global challenges.

Building Connections

Strengthening cooperation between African and European youth-led organisations to foster intercultural dialogue and joint action.

Driving Policy Change

Amplifying youth voices in decision-making spaces to influence policies at national, continental, and international levels.

Consortium partners

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This website has been prepared with the financial assistance of the European Commission. The views expressed herein are those of the consultants and therefore in no way reflects the official opinion of the European Commission.

Newsletter

Sign up to know about the programme’s opportunities and events.

Stay connected

Follow us and get involved!

This website has been prepared with the financial assistance of the European Commission. The views expressed herein are those of the consultants and therefore in no way reflects the official opinion of the European Commission.

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