The EU/Africa-Europe Youth Academy (AEYA) New Leaders Lab for young Africans. – Opportunities For Africans

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Application Deadline: July 19, 2026

Applications are now open for the EU/Africa-Europe Youth Academy (AEYA) New Leaders Lab. The New Leaders Lab (NLL) is a leadership programme with an entrepreneurial, civic, and community focus. It combines thematic learning modules, practical workshops, personalized support, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. It is expected to last between 3 to 4 months.

The New Leaders Lab are open to young people aged 18 to 30 residing in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, and Zambia.

Candidate Profile

• The New Leaders Lab (NLL) is open to all young people aged between 18 to 30 years old, men and women, from all walks of life and educational backgrounds, with a concrete project idea.
• No diploma or particular field of activity is required. What matters most is your motivation, your leadership potential, and your desire to contribute to the development of your community matter.
• Whether you are a student, a young professional, a formal or informal entrepreneur, or currently seeking employment, the New Leaders Lab is for you.

The programme strongly encourages applications from women and young people from diverse backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, those living in different environments, individuals with unique life experiences, and those who may require specific support during the training programme. All levels of education are welcome (primary, secondary, university, etc.).

Requirements

You can apply to the New Leaders Lab if:

• You are between 18 and 30;
• You reside in one of the 19 eligible countries;
• You have a basic knowledge of French, English, or Portuguese;
• You are involved in community, civic, associative, or entrepreneurial initiatives, or would like to become more engaged in your community;
• You have a project or business idea that you would like to implement;
• Your idea relates to themes such as climate change, rural development, urban development, social inclusion and gender equality, entrepreneurship, or related topics.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the EU/Africa-Europe Youth Academy (AEYA) New Leaders Lab