Youth Leadership and Digital Participation at the Continental Health Youth Action Forum 2026
25 September 2026
On 25 September 2026, the Continental Health Youth Action Forum (CHYAF) 2026 brought young people together online around a critical question for Africa’s future: how can youth leadership contribute to financing and shaping stronger, more responsive health systems?
Held under the theme “Financing Africa’s Health Future Through Youth Leadership,” the forum created a space for young people to engage with issues connected to health financing, accountability, advocacy and meaningful participation. With 104 participants joining the online event, CHYAF provided an opportunity to connect youth voices with conversations that affect communities and the future of health across the continent.
As part of the forum, Youthmakers Hub presented the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab – Power of the Collective mobile app, introducing participants to a digital space designed to support continued youth engagement beyond individual events and activities. The presentation introduced the Power of the Collective programme and demonstrated how young people can use the app to access learning resources, training courses, certificates, opportunities, surveys and youth-focused information. Participants were also shown how the platform can support continued participation by helping young people stay informed, develop knowledge and skills, share feedback and connect with relevant opportunities.
The session highlighted the app as a practical entry point for young people who want to remain engaged after CHYAF 2026, particularly around youth leadership, advocacy and accountability. It also opened a pathway for CHYAF-related surveys, resources and knowledge products to reach a wider youth audience through the app and Youthmakers Hub’s communication and digital channels. The importance of youth participation was captured by Dr. Williams Menson, Director of Health Financing for Africa at ONE Campaign, who noted: “As young people, do not wait to be in the room to make your voice matter.”
The collaboration between CHYAF 2026 and the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab reflects the value of creating continued digital pathways for young people to learn, participate and connect—during events and beyond them.
