Applications Open for the First Edition of the AEYA New Leaders Lab 2026

Young people across Africa are increasingly taking the lead in addressing some of the continent’s most pressing social, economic, environmental, and development challenges. Recognizing the need to equip the next generation of changemakers with practical leadership skills, entrepreneurial knowledge, mentorship, and community-building expertise, the Africa-Europe Youth Academy (AEYA) has launched the first edition of the New Leaders Lab 2026.

Funded by the European Union and implemented through a partnership led by Expertise France, with the participation of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the New Leaders Lab is designed to empower ambitious young Africans who are committed to creating positive change in their communities.

The programme is completely free and provides participants with an opportunity to strengthen their leadership abilities, refine project ideas, collaborate with peers from different countries, and gain practical knowledge that can help transform innovative ideas into impactful initiatives.

Applications are open until 19 July 2026.

What is the AEYA New Leaders Lab?

The New Leaders Lab is a leadership development programme created under the Africa-Europe Youth Academy initiative.

The programme seeks to nurture a new generation of African leaders by providing them with:

Leadership development training
Entrepreneurship skills
Civic engagement knowledge
Community development tools
Individual mentoring support
Peer-learning opportunities
Practical workshops
Access to a diverse network of young changemakers

The programme lasts approximately three to four months and combines theory with practical application to help participants transform ideas into community-driven projects and sustainable initiatives.

About the Africa-Europe Youth Academy (AEYA)

The Africa-Europe Youth Academy is an initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by a consortium led by Expertise France, together with the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).

The initiative focuses on strengthening youth leadership, participation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration between young people from Africa and Europe.

Through innovative programmes such as the New Leaders Lab, AEYA aims to support youth-led solutions that address local and global challenges while promoting inclusive development and sustainable growth.

Why the New Leaders Lab Matters

Across Africa, young people are driving innovation in areas such as:

Climate action
Social entrepreneurship
Gender equality
Civic participation
Community development
Agriculture and rural transformation
Sustainable urban development
Youth empowerment

However, many talented young leaders lack access to mentorship, training, professional networks, and structured leadership opportunities.

The New Leaders Lab aims to bridge this gap by creating an inclusive platform where young people can develop practical skills, receive guidance from experienced mentors, and collaborate with peers who share a passion for positive social impact.

What Participants Will Gain

Selected participants will benefit from a comprehensive learning journey that includes:

1. Leadership Development

Participants will strengthen their leadership capacity through interactive learning modules designed to improve:

Strategic thinking
Decision-making
Problem-solving
Team management
Community leadership

2. Entrepreneurship Training

The programme helps participants develop entrepreneurial mindsets and skills necessary for:

Building sustainable initiatives
Launching social enterprises
Creating community impact projects
Managing resources effectively

3. Civic Engagement Skills

Participants will learn how to:

Engage communities effectively
Promote active citizenship
Influence local development initiatives
Build collaborative partnerships

4. Practical Workshops

Hands-on workshops provide opportunities to:

Refine project ideas
Develop implementation plans
Strengthen communication skills
Enhance project management capabilities

5. One-on-One Mentoring

Each participant will have access to mentoring opportunities that support personal and professional growth.

Mentors will help participants:

Clarify goals
Improve project ideas
Build confidence
Strengthen leadership skills

6. Peer Learning

Participants will join a diverse community of young leaders from multiple African countries, creating opportunities for:

Cross-cultural learning
Collaboration
Networking
Knowledge exchange

Who Can Apply?

The programme welcomes applications from a wide range of young people, including:

Students
Young professionals
Entrepreneurs
Informal business owners
Job seekers
Community leaders
Civil society actors
Social innovators
Youth advocates

No specific educational qualification is required.

Instead, the programme prioritizes:

Motivation
Leadership potential
Commitment to community development
Passion for positive change

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

Be between 18 and 30 years old
Reside in one of the eligible countries
Have basic knowledge of English, French, or Portuguese
Submit a project or business idea
Demonstrate interest in community development and leadership

Eligible Countries

Applications are open to young people residing in the following 19 African countries:

Benin
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Congo
Côte d’Ivoire
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ethiopia
Guinea
Kenya
Malawi
Mauritania
Mozambique
Niger
Rwanda
Senegal
Tanzania
Togo
Uganda
Zambia

Project Themes

Applicants must submit a project or business idea connected to one or more of the following areas:

Climate Change

Projects addressing environmental sustainability, resilience, and climate adaptation.

Rural Development

Innovative solutions supporting rural livelihoods and economic development.

Urban Development

Ideas focused on creating sustainable, inclusive, and resilient cities.

Social Inclusion

Projects promoting equality, inclusion, and community empowerment.

Gender Equality

Initiatives advancing opportunities for women and marginalized groups.

Entrepreneurship

Business and social enterprise ideas that contribute to local development.

Community Development

Projects that improve social well-being and community participation.

Commitment to Inclusion

The programme strongly encourages applications from:

Young women
Persons with disabilities
Youth requiring specific support measures
Individuals from diverse educational backgrounds
Young people with different life experiences

This commitment reflects the programme’s dedication to ensuring equal opportunities and inclusive leadership development.

Application Process

The application process is designed to be simple and accessible.

Key features include:

Fully online application
Smartphone-friendly platform
Available in English, French, and Portuguese
Completion time of approximately 10–15 minutes

Applicants can submit their applications through the Capacity4Dev platform.

APPLY HERE

Important Deadline

Application Deadline:
19 July 2026

Applicants are encouraged to apply early to avoid last-minute technical issues and ensure successful submission.

Why You Should Apply

The AEYA New Leaders Lab offers a rare opportunity to:

Develop leadership skills
Access mentorship
Join a continental youth network
Strengthen entrepreneurial capacity
Improve project design skills
Gain practical experience
Collaborate with peers from multiple countries
Create meaningful impact within your community

Whether you are already leading a project or just beginning your leadership journey, this programme can provide valuable tools and support to help turn your vision into action.

Visit HERE for more information about the AEYA New Leaders Lab 2026.

Conclusion

The AEYA New Leaders Lab 2026 represents an exciting opportunity for young Africans to strengthen their leadership potential while developing innovative solutions to challenges facing their communities. Through mentorship, entrepreneurship training, civic engagement learning, and collaboration with peers from across the continent, participants will gain the skills and networks needed to become impactful leaders.

For young people committed to driving positive change through entrepreneurship, social innovation, climate action, community development, or civic engagement, this programme offers a valuable platform to learn, grow, and contribute to Africa’s future. Interested applicants should prepare their project ideas and submit their applications before the 19 July 2026 deadline.

Discover more global Fellowship, Leadership Development and African opportunities on OFY.

Leadership Development Programme @Africa-Europe Youth Academy (AEYA)