Youth Accountability in Addis Ababa: From Data to Policy Action
The AU-EU Youth Voices Lab – Power of the Collective programme brought together youth leaders, policymakers, and institutional stakeholders in a high-level Face to Face workshop titled “AU-EU Partnership & Accountability: A Youth-Friendly 2030 Vision,” held on 18–19 February 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Taking place immediately after the African Union Summit, the gathering created a timely space for young people to engage directly with decision-makers and ensure that political commitments translated into tangible outcomes.
Over 40 youth representatives from Africa, Europe, and the diaspora worked collaboratively to assess key outcomes from AU-EU processes and identify critical gaps between policy frameworks and the realities young people face. Discussions highlighted persistent barriers, including limited access to funding, restricted mobility, and weak implementation mechanisms. Grounded in research capturing over 1,400 youth voices, participants assessed AU-EU commitments and identified key gaps between policy frameworks and lived realities. The data revealed that only 11% of young people considered current policies effective for inclusion, while 69% identified lack of funding as the main barrier to economic participation. Additional findings showed that 43% lacked access to information for informed SRHR decisions, and 17% had never used contraceptives due to stigma and limited access.
Through structured discussions and direct engagement with institutions such as the African Union Commission and the European Union, 31 core youth delegates translated these insights into five concrete policy demands. The workshop resulted to 5 policy demands, a Youth Call to Action, and a 2026–2027 advocacy roadmap to be presented directly to AU and EU institutions. The activity marked a shift from consultation to action, positioning young people as active contributors to monitoring AU-EU commitments. It also established follow-up mechanisms, including a Youth Charter Scorecard and a 2027 progress report, ensuring sustained accountability toward the Joint Vision 2030.
