Young people in Nigeria, across Africa and Europe have been offered new opportunities to access international funding following the launch of the AU-EU Youth Action Lab, an initiative designed to support youth-led solutions to global challenges and strengthen cross-continental collaboration.
The African Union and the European Union said the programme would provide grants of up to 51 million naira to eligible youth-led organisations, creating space for young innovators, entrepreneurs and community leaders to design solutions, strengthen economic prospects and amplify youth voices in policy conversations.
According to the organisers, the Youth Action Lab is aimed at connecting young people from Africa and Europe, encouraging collaboration, shared learning and joint action on issues ranging from economic inclusion to social development. The initiative is also expected to ensure that youth-driven ideas and perspectives reach decision-makers at national, regional and continental levels, including the AU and EU.
The programme targets youth from a wide range of countries, including Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and several others across Africa, alongside all European Union member states. Organisers confirmed that another call for proposals will be launched in the coming year, expanding access to funding and participation.
Funding under the Youth Action Lab is structured to support different stages of youth-led work. Support is available for innovation-focused initiatives seeking to design, test or scale solutions to global challenges, as well as for youth-driven entrepreneurship efforts aimed at improving economic opportunities and livelihoods. The programme also places strong emphasis on inclusion, with dedicated support for underrepresented and marginalised young people in Africa to enable them to deliver impact within their communities, working with experienced youth-focused organisations.
For Nigerian and African youth organisations, the initiative represents a significant opportunity to access international capital, build cross-border partnerships and strengthen projects that address unemployment, economic inclusion and sustainable development. As access to funding remains a major constraint for youth-led MSMEs and social initiatives, programmes such as the AU-EU Youth Action Lab are increasingly seen as critical platforms for turning youth ideas into scalable solutions with global relevance.
