General Call for Proposals for AU-EU Youth Action Lab

AU-EU Youth Lab Programme FAQ:

Common Questions and Standardised Answers

1. What is the AU-EU Youth Lab Programme?

The AU-EU Youth Lab Programme is an initiative developed by the African Union (AU) and European Union (EU) to empower young people in Africa and Europe. It focuses on fostering youth participation in policy-making and decision-making processes, building their capacity, and supporting youth-led projects that contribute to the Africa-EU Partnership.

2. Why is the AU-EU Youth Lab important?

Africa's population is predominantly young, with over 60% under the age of 25. By 2100, African youth are expected to make up almost half of the world’s youth population. Young people are a powerful force for change and innovation, but they need access to opportunities, engagement, and empowerment. The Youth Lab helps to tap into this potential by providing platforms and resources for youth participation, especially in policy dialogue and development.

3. What are the objectives of the AU-EU Youth Lab Programme?

The programme has three specific objectives:

• Objective 1 (Youth Voices Lab): Ensure that policy-making and decision-making processes around the Africa-EU Partnership are more youth-responsive and inclusive.
• Objective 2 (Youth Voices Lab): Empower young people and youth organisations to advocate for their concerns and priorities at different levels (continental, regional, and national).
• Objective 3 (Youth Action Lab): Create joint African-European youth-led cooperation activities that have long-term impact and support these through small grants for innovative ideas.

4. What activities are part of the AU-EU Youth Lab Programme?

The activities are grouped into three main pillars:

• Pillar 1: Youth Participation and Representation Activities include establishing youth networks, facilitating youth consultations, organising youth assemblies or policy labs, and creating opportunities for youth to engage with policymakers.
• Pillar 2: Youth Empowerment and Capacity Building Activities include developing online courses (MOOCs), providing training in advocacy and policy-making, and offering mentorship programs.
• Pillar 3: Youth-Led Initiatives Activities include providing grants for youth-led projects, supporting entrepreneurship, and establishing a virtual incubator for innovation.

5. Who can participate in the AU-EU Youth Lab?

The programme targets young people from Africa, Europe, and the African Diaspora. It focuses on youth organisations and individuals who are involved or interested in policy dialogues, youth empowerment, and creating change in their communities.

6. How does the AU-EU Youth Lab ensure inclusivity?

The Youth Lab uses innovative approaches to engage youth from diverse backgrounds, including those from rural areas, socio-economically disadvantaged groups, youth with disabilities, and underrepresented communities. The programme promotes accessible activities and ensures that youth-friendly engagement methods are implemented.

7. What kind of youth-led projects can receive grants from the programme?

Grants are awarded to youth-led initiatives that:

• Contribute to the Africa-EU Partnership’s priorities
• Benefit underrepresented or marginalised groups
• Promote innovative solutions to challenges in Africa and Europe
• Support entrepreneurship and start-up creation
• Focus on cooperation among youth organisations from Europe, Africa, and the Diaspora

8. What training and support do youth participants receive?

Youth and youth organisations involved in the programme receive training in areas such as advocacy, leadership, project management, entrepreneurship, and monitoring and evaluation. Participants also benefit from mentorship and coaching, with support from institutional stakeholders like the AU Youth Envoy and other youth ambassadors.

9. How long will the AU-EU Youth Lab Programme run?

The programme is initially planned to run for 48 months and will be implemented in member states of the African Union and at least one member state of the European Union.

10. How can young people or organisations get involved in the AU-EU Youth Lab Programme?

Young people and youth organisations can get involved through various activities, including participating in youth assemblies, applying for grants for youth-led initiatives, engaging in training programs, and contributing to dialogues with policymakers.

11. What kind of impact does the AU-EU Youth Lab aim to achieve?

The programme aims to:

• Strengthen youth participation in decision-making
• Empower youth to advocate for their concerns and priorities
• Foster cross-continental cooperation between African and European youth
• Support innovative youth-led projects that contribute to positive change in both regions

For more information/ To learn more, please visit our website https://aueuyouth.com/ 

About the Program
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. To check the program further, please click [**here https://aueuyouth.com/youth-action-lab/**](here https://aueuyouth.com/youth-action-lab/)

General Call for Proposals

The ambition is to support how young people link up across and between the African and European continents. The programme aims to link youth initiatives to their peers to share, learn and collaborate, and to bring your voices and solutions to policymakers at different levels, including the European Union and African Union!

The coming 3 years, the Youth Action Lab will launch various call for proposals campaigns inviting youth in their diversity to apply.

Eligible countries are Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia & Somaliland, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe and European Union member states.

The Youth Action Lab has 4 different grant types – each with a different focus, but all with a similar ambition: as youth initiative you are supported in a powershifting way!
Please share this opportunity to youth-led organizations and entrepreneurs and boost outreach through any kind of your channels. https://aueuyouth.com/grants/

How to apply instructions: https://aueuyouth.com/how-to-apply-for-au-eu-youth-action-lab-grants/
You can follow the pages including information on the calls :
Main Campaign Website Link: https://aueuyouth.com/youth-action-lab/
Other important links:
Innovation grants: https://aueuyouth.com/innovation-grants/
Entrepreneurship grants: https://aueuyouth.com/entrepreneurship-grants/
Representation grants: https://aueuyouth.com/representation-grants/
Cooperation grants: https://aueuyouth.com/cooperation-grants/
AU-EU Youth Lab FAQ- Common Questions and Standardized Answers

Deadline for applications: 19th of February