Enhancing Youth Participation and Empowerment Across Africa and Europe

Posted on: May 21, 2026 Posted by: diasporadigital Comments: 0

Tags: AU-EU Youth Voices Lab, European Union

The AU-EU Youth Voices Lab – Power of the Collective, part of the AU-EU Youth Lab programme, continues to stand as a leading platform for youth engagement, collaboration, and policy influence across Africa and Europe.

In recent months, the AU–EU Youth Voices Lab has translated its commitments into concrete actions and measurable achievements. The programme:

Published three Youth-Led Research reports, generating evidence-based recommendations and amplifying youth perspectives in AU-EU policy discussions.
Delivered a communication and advocacy training in Uganda, strengthening the capacity of young leaders and youth-led organizations to influence policy, shape narratives, and increase the visibility of their work.
Launched an open call for young filmmakers, creating new opportunities for youth-led storytelling, advocacy, and creative engagement.
Joined new networks and youth-focused platforms, ensuring young people actively contribute to programme design, policy conversations, and advocacy initiatives.
Equipped young leaders in Nigeria with practical storytelling, advocacy, and leadership skills, strengthening their capacity to communicate public narratives, engage communities, and influence decision-making processes.

These achievements show a clear shift toward meaningful and structured youth engagement within the AU-EU partnership. This progress is reflected in 16 youth-responsive policy processes supported, 650 young people supported in accessing influencing spaces and coalition processes, and 22 coalitions, task forces, and coordinating spaces strengthened to advance intergenerational advocacy. At the same time, the programme increased the capacity of youth-led actors, with over 4,000 young people supported to strengthen their advocacy capacity and 2,500 young people trained in youth-led research, accountability, and advocacy. Its commitment to inclusion was reinforced through the involvement of over 200 young people in co-creating tools on self-care, collective well-being, and protection, while almost 5,000 young people contributed to the creation, update, and dissemination of the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab App. Through these results, the programme continues to position young people as essential partners in shaping policies, accountability mechanisms, and development agendas across Africa and Europe.

Central to the programme’s continued growth is the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab App, a free digital platform designed by youth for youth to expand participation and connectivity. Built on continuous user feedback, the App provides access to opportunities, resources, certified online courses, and cross-continental connections. Combining digital innovation with community engagement, it makes youth participation more accessible, continuous, and impactful. Download the App here.