Young people across Sub-Saharan Africa have a new opportunity to secure funding and technical support through the Africa-Europe Youth Academy (AEYA) Spaces for Youth Grants, an initiative designed to strengthen youth participation in community development and leadership. The program seeks to empower youth-led organizations by providing financial assistance and capacity-building resources to establish or improve community spaces where young people can learn, collaborate and drive social change.
The initiative recognizes that many young Africans face limited access to safe and inclusive environments where they can develop skills, launch projects and engage with their communities. Through the grants, selected organizations will receive funding alongside mentorship and institutional support to ensure their projects have long-term impact.
The program is open to youth-led organizations based in Sub-Saharan Africa that are committed to advancing youth empowerment, education, entrepreneurship, innovation or civic participation. Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that create welcoming spaces where young people can exchange ideas, access learning opportunities and build solutions to local challenges.
Beyond financial support, the initiative aims to strengthen organizational capacity by connecting participants with experts and networks across Africa and Europe. Organizers believe that investing in youth-led community spaces will help foster collaboration, innovation and sustainable development while strengthening partnerships between the two continents.
“Youth spaces are essential for fostering participation, innovation and leadership. By supporting youth-led organizations, we are investing in the next generation of changemakers across Africa.”
– Africa-Europe Youth Academy
Successful projects are expected to deliver measurable community impact by promoting inclusion, skills development and active citizenship. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to enhance youth engagement in achieving sustainable development goals and strengthening Africa-Europe cooperation.
Interested organizations are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria carefully and submit their applications before the 7 August 2026 deadline. Successful applicants will join a growing network of youth leaders committed to building resilient communities and expanding opportunities for young people across the continent.
“Young people are not only beneficiaries of development but active partners in shaping inclusive and sustainable societies.”
– Africa-Europe Youth Academy