AEYA New Leaders Lab 2026: Fully Funded Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Community Development Programme for Young Africans Across 19 Countries
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.
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.
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