How youth organisations are shaping the future through AU-EU cooperation
Exciting times ahead! As the second AU-EU (African Union - European Union) Youth Action Lab call opens soon. But before we look forward, let’s pause for a moment to celebrate the current grantees, the incredible youth organisations that joined forces across Africa and Europe in the first round of the Youth Action Lab’s Cooperation Grants.
From advocating for refugee rights to empowering young people to influence sustainable development, lead climate action, and create more inclusive higher education initiatives, these projects are proving one thing loud and clear: youth cooperation works!
Would you like to know more? Get in touch!
What is the AU-EU Youth Action Lab?
Launched by the European Union and the African Union, the Youth Action Lab supports youth-led organisations with grants that drive change at local, national, and international levels. The programme offers four types of support: Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Representation and Cooperation. The latter is open to both AU and EU-based organisations. Through these Cooperation grants, youth organisations are not only exchanging ideas but co-create solutions that bridge continents.
8 Projects, 1 Shared Vision: Empowering young people to lead change
Now, let’s hear directly from the youth organisations participating in the first cycle and who knows, maybe your project will be featured here next year!
Building futures for refugee entrepreneurs
Across continents, young refugees face immense systemic barriers – from unrecognised qualifications to exclusion from the labour market. Forward·Inc (Netherlands) and UJUZI Co-Creation Hub (Uganda) decided to change that through the Advancing Refugee Entrepreneurs Globally project.
By providing tailored, accessible entrepreneurial programmes, the project helps young refugees and “fosters both economic inclusion and social cohesion.” Uganda, as Africa’s largest refugee-hosting country, and the Netherlands, amid shifting political climate, make this partnership both timely and transformative. As the team puts it, “by enabling young refugees to build their own livelihoods, this initiative contributes to stronger communities and more resilient local economies.”
Turning Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into reality
Enhancing Youth Engagement for the SDGs Advocacy (EYE 4 SDGs) project – a partnership between HARD Uganda, Bright Future Kenya, and Equitable Development for Inclusive and Safer Environments in Mobility (EDISE), Belgium – brings young people into the heart of sustainable development advocacy.
As the team puts it: “Through research, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement, EYE 4 SDGs equips youth and marginalised communities with the skills and knowledge to influence policy and drive positive change. Ultimately, the project aims to foster inclusive, youth-driven solutions for sustainable development and stronger partnerships between communities and policy makers.”
This project is turning the SDGs into something real and local that is led by young people for their communities.
Opening doors to Inclusive Higher Education
Young refugees are one of the most underrepresented groups in higher education. Globally, only 7% have access to university-level studies. Photofilm for Change (Kenya) and She Tells (Greece) are using the power of storytelling to advocate for change. In their words: “Education is a basic human right, a key Sustainable Development Goal, and a powerful force for transforming the lives of refugees and host communities.”
Their multimedia project, Inclusive Higher Education, gives refugee and migrant youth the space to share their journeys through documentary filmmaking and participatory workshops, which as they say, “engages youth to be actively and fully involved in the project.” These types of stories aren’t just artistic, they are advocacy tools aimed at influencing education policy both in Africa and Europe.
Rethinking education together
RISE: Rethink, innovate, and shape education project is proving that student voices must be part of the conversation. Led by the Zambian National Student Union (ZANASU), the National Union of Sierra Leone Students (NUSS), and the Organising Bureau of European School Student Unions (OBESSU), RISE connects student unions across continents to advocate for better, fairer education systems.
From multiple webinars such as on decolonising education to national events bringing students from Zambia and Sierra Leone together, RISE is “building a strong foundation for cross-continental cooperation on education issues.”
Their message is clear: when students unite, education gets better for everyone.
Creating a movement for rights and representation
“What if young people had the power to shape the policies that affect their bodies and lives? What if voices from Africa and Europe came together to drive real global change?’ That’s exactly what CHOICE for Youth (Netherlands) and Sexuality & Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Alliance Kenya are doing with the project Say Yes to Youth!
Through online sessions, the project connects young people and supports them to engage with international decision-making spaces, such as the United Nations (UN). “At a time when human rights are under threat,” they say, “uniting young people across regions builds strength, resilience, and hope for a more inclusive future.”
Their work is a reminder that youth voices are essential to shaping a more inclusive world.
Bridging continents through advocacy and AI
The Youth Advocacy Bridge, led by Svjetski Savez Mladih Jugoistočna Europa (SSM JIE) and SPES Institute for Humanity and AI (Ethiopia), is bringing together young people from Europe and Africa to explore how technology and civic participation can strengthen democracy.
From workshops on watchdog methods to ethical AI, the project is building a new generation of youth leaders ready to demand government transparency. With a goal to reach 35,000 young people in Africa and Europe through campaigns and exchanges, this partnership is proof that when young innovators come together, democracy gets smarter and stronger. As they put it: “The goal is more than training- this initiative builds lasting structures for youth-led participation, ensuring that new generations continue to shape transparent, responsive governance beyond the grant’s duration.”
Leading climate action
Climate change doesn’t stop at borders, and neither does youth action. The Voices Unheard: from Pyrenees to Kibera (VU:PK) project connects young people from France and Kenya.
In the team's words: “Both regions face recurring floods, droughts, and infrastructure gaps that endanger livelihoods and resilience.” The project, led by Association Petite Graine (France) and Maida CBO (Kenya), aims to empower marginalised youth through research, workshops, and direct policy dialogues with the European Commission, African Union, and local authorities. As they say: “By gathering lived experiences and transforming them into concrete policy recommendations, the project bridges the gap between communities and decision-makers. Through social media campaigns, advocacy events, and a 30 minute documentary, it builds visibility for youth-led climate action and aims to achieve change at policy level.”
Policymaking for mental health and inclusion
And finally, National Youth Council of Slovenia (MSS), GrassRoots Ministry (GRM), and National Youth Council of Latvia (LJP) are redefining youth participation through Youth-Driven Policy Hackathons.
Focusing on rural youth and mental health, the project brings young people, experts, and policymakers together to co-create concrete policy proposals. The team highlights that: “Many young people, especially in rural areas, face limited access to mental health support and a lack of representation in decision-making processes. By training youth leaders to facilitate policy discussions and advocacy efforts, the project provides young people with the tools to develop concrete policy proposals and actively engage with decision-makers.”
Curious about the Youth Action Lab and whether your organisation could take part? Join our webinar on 10 November at 11:00 CET to get a full overview of the Youth Action Lab, explore the four grant types, understand who is eligible to apply, and find out the next steps to get involved and submit your application.
Looking ahead: Your turn is coming soon
From entrepreneurship to education, from mental health to shaping the policies that affect your own body, these projects demonstrate the power of youth cooperation between Africa and Europe. They show that meaningful change happens when young people have the tools, trust, and resources to lead.
As the next call for applications opens soon, now is your chance to join. Whether you’re a youth-led organisation in Africa or Europe, the Youth Action Lab is your platform to connect, create, and collaborate for a better future.
Stay connected for the launch of the call!
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