What if youth weren’t just consulted on development policy, but actually helped shape it? UNDP Africa’s new Council is recruiting 11 young leaders to do exactly that.
UNDP Africa has launched a new initiative the African Youth Co-Creators Council (AYCC) designed to strengthen meaningful youth participation in shaping the continent’s development agenda. Rather than treating young people as passive recipients of programming, the Council positions them as genuine co-creators working alongside UNDP and other stakeholders.
Quick Overview
- Organization: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Africa
- Initiative: African Youth Co-Creators Council (AYCC)
- Number of Seats: 11 young leaders
- Eligibility: Young Africans on the continent or in the diaspora
- Application Deadline: 31 July 2026
What Is the African Youth Co-Creators Council?
The AYCC is a platform where young Africans can contribute ideas, perspectives, and solutions to Africa’s development challenges. It brings together 11 young leaders from Africa and the African diaspora who are passionate about youth empowerment, innovation, governance, and sustainable development collaborating directly with UNDP and other stakeholders to shape youth-centred programmes and initiatives.
What Will Selected Members Actually Do?
Selected young leaders will have the opportunity to:
- Contribute youth perspectives to development policies and programmes
- Co-create innovative solutions addressing challenges affecting young Africans
- Engage with development practitioners, institutions, and other youth leaders across the continent
- Strengthen their leadership, advocacy, and collaboration skills
- Expand their professional networks within Africa’s development ecosystem
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Applicants should generally:
- Be a young African living on the continent or in the diaspora
- Demonstrate leadership experience and a genuine commitment to youth development
- Have experience or interest in areas such as governance, innovation, entrepreneurship, climate action, peacebuilding, inclusion, or sustainable development
- Be passionate about amplifying youth voices in decision-making processes
- Be able to actively participate in Council activities and engagements
Why Does This Initiative Matter?
Africa’s youth population is projected to keep growing, making it essential that young people are recognised as key partners in shaping the continent’s future not just beneficiaries of programmes designed without their input.
Platforms like the AYCC create space for young leaders to move beyond participation and actively influence the policies, programmes, and solutions that affect their own communities. By empowering young Africans to contribute directly to development conversations, the initiative supports a broader vision: a more inclusive, innovative, and youth-driven Africa.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should apply before the stated deadline through UNDP Africa’s official application channels.
Application Deadline: 31 July 2026
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
- It’s structured around co-creation, not just consultation a meaningful distinction for youth-focused development work
- With only 11 seats available, it offers a genuinely selective, high-visibility platform
- It’s open to both continental Africans and the diaspora, broadening who can meaningfully contribute
- The scope spans a wide range of thematic areas governance, innovation, entrepreneurship, climate action, peacebuilding, and inclusion giving applicants from diverse backgrounds a real chance to fit
- Direct engagement with UNDP and development practitioners offers a level of institutional access rarely available to youth leaders
Final Thoughts
For young Africans whether on the continent or in the diaspora who are already leading in their communities and want a genuine seat at the table in shaping Africa’s development future, the African Youth Co-Creators Council offers a rare, direct path to real influence.
Application Deadline: 31 July 2026
