The African Union Commission (AUC) has officially opened the Call for Session Proposals for the Pan African Youth Forum (PAYF) 2026, inviting young leaders, youth-led organisations, civil society, academia, private sector institutions and development partners to help shape the Forum’s programme.
The continental gathering will take place 16–20 November 2026 at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, marking the 20th anniversary of the African Youth Charter (AYC@20) under the theme:
“Reflecting, Reimagining, and Repositioning the African Youth Charter.”
PAYF 2026 is one of Africa’s leading youth policy and engagement platforms, bringing together young people and key stakeholders from across the continent to exchange ideas, build partnerships and develop practical solutions for Africa’s future.
The Forum will convene:
- Young leaders and youth-led organisations
- African Union Member States
- AU organs and institutions
- Regional Economic Communities (RECs)
- Civil society organisations
- Private sector representatives
- Development partners and researchers
The discussions will contribute to strengthening youth participation in continental policy processes while reflecting on two decades of implementing the African Youth Charter.
Call for Session Proposals
The African Union is seeking innovative, inclusive and solutions-oriented session proposals that align with the Forum’s theme and contribute to meaningful dialogue on youth development in Africa.
Selected sessions will become part of the official PAYF 2026 programme and provide organisers with an opportunity to facilitate conversations that influence continental youth policy and action.
Expected outcomes of PAYF 2026
The Forum is expected to contribute to several major continental outcomes, including:
- Development of a Common African Position on the Future of African Youth Development
- A roadmap for strengthening and advancing the African Youth Charter
- Increased collaboration between youth organisations, governments and development partners
- Practical policy recommendations driven by young Africans
Who should submit a proposal?
Applications are encouraged from:
- Youth-led organisations
- Young professionals and innovators
- Civil society organisations
- Academic and research institutions
- Private sector organisations
- Regional and international partners working on youth development
Proposals should demonstrate relevance to the Forum’s theme and promote participation, inclusion and actionable solutions.
Information required before applying
Applicants should prepare the following details before completing the submission form:
- Session title and description
- Names of all speakers and panelists
- Professional titles or designations
- Email addresses of speakers and moderators
- Short biographies and organisational affiliations where applicable
Having this information ready will make the submission process smoother.
Forum details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Pan African Youth Forum (PAYF) 2026 |
| Dates | 16–20 November 2026 |
| Location | African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Theme | Reflecting, Reimagining, and Repositioning the African Youth Charter |
| Organiser | African Union Commission – Women, Gender and Youth Directorate |
Data protection and privacy
The African Union Commission will use information submitted through the application solely for reviewing, evaluating and administering PAYF 2026 session proposals. If a proposal is selected, speaker names, biographies, affiliations and session descriptions may appear in official programme materials and event communications. Applicants must obtain the consent of all proposed speakers before submitting their information.
How to apply
Interested applicants should complete the official Call for Session Proposals form and consult the Concept Note, Draft Agenda and Draft Issues Paper before submitting their proposal.
For enquiries, contact the African Union Commission
