The launch of the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab – Power of the Collective on 14th October 2024 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, marked a significant moment in empowering African youth and encouraging their active involvement in decision-making processes. The event brought together key stakeholders from the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab and AU-EU Youth Action Lab, as well as members of the Youth Advisory Board (YAB), the EU-Ethiopia Youth Sounding Board, and youth representatives from various African countries.
High-level discussions with decision-makers, such as H.E. Jutta Urpilainen, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, and H.E. Javier Niño Pérez, EU Ambassador to the African Union, highlighted the Lab’s potential to transform youth engagement across the continent. The ceremony, which can be viewed online, featured insights and perspectives from youth leaders, providing valuable reflections on the event.
The AU-EU Youth Voices Lab – Power of the Collective recently completed its inception phase in September 2024 and launched several key activities. One of the initial steps involved inviting young individuals to apply for the Youth Advisory Board (YAB), whose members will evaluate the project’s impact on local communities and offer guidance on future initiatives. Restless Development leads this effort, while ComDev Africa initiated youth volunteer recruitment through the agi_re citizen engagement program.
This four-year initiative, co-funded by the European Union as part of the AU-EU Youth Lab program, aims to amplify the voices of young people, enhance their participation in decision-making processes, and equip youth leaders with the necessary tools to influence policies and drive positive community changes. Exciting opportunities on the horizon include on-site workshops, training sessions, hackathons, and grants of up to €10,000 for youth-led projects. Additionally, Youthmakers Hub is developing the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab App, a digital platform for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and networking between Africa and Europe.
To learn more about the project, visit the official website at aueuyouthvoiceslab.eu.
Title: AU-EU Youth Voices Lab – Power of the Collective
Duration: 4 years
Starting date: 01.03.2024
Ending date: 29.02.2028
Donor: European Union (EuropeAid)
Project Number: EuropeAid/177759/DD/ACT/Multi
Contract Number: NDICI Africa/2023/452-478
Total Budget: 7,368,421 Euro
EU Contribution: 7,000,000 Euro
Partners: Oxfam International (Oxfam Intermon, Oxfam in Africa), Restless Development (RD), Search for Common Ground (SEARCH), Youthmakers Hub (YMH), ComDev Africa
Website: aueuyouthvoiceslab.eu
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