A blurry photo of young people from Africa doing the sign of peace.

3 minutes to get to know AU-EU Youth Voices Lab – Power of the Collective

Our online community often asks, “What is this project all about?”

And we respond! We created this article to summarize the key points of AU-EU Youth Voices Lab – Power of the Collective. In 3 minutes (or less!), you’ll have all the basic information you need to understand the project!

The essence of the project

AU-EU Youth Voices Lab – Power of the Collective is a four-year EU-funded project that seeks to co-create a more youth-responsive and inclusive society in Africa and Europe. The implementing consortium comprises five partners with youth-led and youth-informed work expertise, including Oxfam, Restless Development, Search for Common Ground, Youthmakers Hub, and ComDev Africa. You can learn more about each partner here.

Digital and in-person strategies

It implements digital strategies to engage youth and stakeholders at the continental level, including all 54 countries in all 5 African regions. It focuses on in-person activities in 15 Intervention Countries, 14 in Africa (including Kenya, Tunisia, and Ghana), and 1 in the EU (Belgium) to engage the African Diaspora as key connectors. You can have a look at our map of Intervention Countries here.

Two journeys

Collaboration and co-creation are essential aspects of this project. The project supports improved intergenerational partnerships by developing activities along two interlinked journeys:

The Youth Journey: equips young people with the skills to advocate for their local, regional, and continental concerns.
The Institutional Journey: engages institutions and decision-makers to integrate youth concerns and voices for more inclusive governance.

Key Project Actions

Among key project actions are:

Youth Voices Lab App: the mobile app co-created with 10,000 young people based on consultations on their priorities and needs. The app will soon be available to download here.
Youth Voices Third-Party-Funding Mechanism: provides microgrants to local youth-led groups to enable youth-led action and strengthen their advocacy research, capacity building, and action plans.
Youth Advocacy Training: equip youth with useful governance and advocacy skills
Youth Power Hackathon: bring together young innovators to solve pressing challenges.
Support for Youth Representatives: supporting youth representatives in participating in influential decision-making spaces.

Read more about the project’s opportunities here.

In short

The project catalyzes a more inclusive and responsive society in which enhanced youth engagement, empowerment, and connection shape policies, partnerships, and decision-making processes.