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Ethiopia Short Course Partial Funding

AYC@20 Pan African Youth Forum 2026: Session Proposal Call

The African Union Commission invites session proposals for the AYC@20 Pan African Youth Forum 2026, marking 20 years of the African Youth Charter. Selected participants will shape policy discussions at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

September 23, 2026 ⏰ Deadline: Oct 4, 2026

Quick Overview

Host CountryEthiopia
Degree LevelShort Course
Funding TypePartial Funding
Fields of StudyCivil Society, Governance, Policy, Youth Development
DeadlineOctober 4, 2026

Scholarship Overview

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Overview

The AYC@20 Pan African Youth Forum 2026 is a continental gathering convened by the African Union Commission (AUC) to mark the 20th anniversary of the African Youth Charter. The Forum will take place from 16–20 November 2026 at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the theme: “Reflecting, Reimagining, and Repositioning the African Youth Charter.”

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This is not a traditional scholarship but a competitive call for session proposals that offers African youth leaders, organizations, and institutions the opportunity to shape high-level policy discussions, build strategic partnerships, and contribute to continental youth development frameworks.

What the Forum Offers

Selected proposal submitters gain:

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  • A platform to present ideas directly to AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and development partners
  • Networking opportunities with youth-led organizations, civil society, academia, and private sector representatives from across Africa
  • Integration of your session into the official Forum programme
  • Visibility for your organization or initiative at one of Africa’s premier youth policy events
  • Contribution to strengthening youth participation in continental policy processes

Who Should Apply

The AUC encourages applications from:

  • Youth-led organizations (registered or informal)
  • Young professionals and innovators
  • Civil society organizations
  • Academic and research institutions
  • Private sector organizations
  • Regional and international partners working on youth development

For applicants from Zimbabwe and the SADC region, this represents a direct channel to influence AU policy discussions and connect with counterparts across the continent. The Forum particularly values proposals that demonstrate relevance to the theme and promote participation, inclusion, and actionable solutions.

Proposal Requirements

Successful proposals should:

  • Demonstrate clear relevance to the Forum’s theme: “Reflecting, Reimagining, and Repositioning the African Youth Charter”
  • Promote active participation and inclusion of diverse youth voices
  • Offer actionable solutions rather than theoretical discussions
  • Show potential for concrete outcomes or policy recommendations
  • Indicate how the session will engage multiple stakeholder groups

Key Dates and Logistics

Application deadline: October 4, 2026

Forum dates: November 16–20, 2026

Location: African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The AUC has not published specific information regarding travel funding, accommodation, or per diem support for selected proposal leaders. Applicants should prepare for potential self-funding or seek organizational sponsorship while awaiting selection notification.

How to Apply

Step-by-step application process:

  1. Visit the official webpage of the AYC@20 Pan African Youth Forum (see official link below)
  2. Review the detailed session proposal guidelines and evaluation criteria
  3. Develop your proposal addressing the theme and inclusion requirements
  4. Submit your application through the designated portal before October 4, 2026
  5. Await notification from the AUC regarding selection outcomes

Strategic Value for Zimbabwe/SADC Applicants

Participants from Zimbabwe and SADC countries can leverage this Forum to:

  • Highlight regional youth priorities in continental policy spaces
  • Connect with SADC Youth Network counterparts and build cross-border collaborations
  • Gain exposure to AU funding mechanisms and partnership opportunities
  • Position your organization for future AUC and REC engagements
  • Contribute to the review and repositioning of the African Youth Charter implementation

Related Opportunities

Applicants interested in the AYC@20 Forum may also consider:

  • Commonwealth Youth Council programming
  • SADC Youth Forum parallel processes
  • African Union Youth Volunteer Corps opportunities
  • Regional Economic Community youth policy engagements

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Official scholarship page: https://ofafrica.org/ethiopia-call-for-session-proposals-african-youth-charter-ayc20-pan-african-youth-forum-2026-addis-ababa-ethiopia-by-ofa/

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You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

Funding Coverage

Not specified. The call does not indicate whether travel, accommodation, or participation costs are covered. Applicants should assume self-funding or seek organizational sponsorship.

Eligibility Criteria

Youth-led organizations, young professionals and innovators, civil society organizations, academic and research institutions, private sector organizations, and regional/international partners working on youth development. Open to African applicants including Zimbabwe/SADC region.

Required Documents

Not specified in the call. Typically session proposals require: detailed session description, objectives and expected outcomes, proposed format and methodology, speaker/facilitator information, and organizational profile. Check official webpage for complete requirements.

Application Process

1) Visit official AYC@20 Pan African Youth Forum webpage, 2) Review session proposal guidelines, 3) Develop proposal aligned with theme and inclusion criteria, 4) Submit through designated portal before October 4, 2026, 5) Await selection notification from AUC.
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Frequently Asked Questions

The call for session proposals does not specify any funding coverage. Unlike traditional scholarships, this is a competitive opportunity to shape Forum programming. The AUC has not published information regarding travel, accommodation, or per diem support. Applicants from Zimbabwe and SADC should budget for self-funded participation or secure organizational sponsorship.
The application deadline is October 4, 2026. The AUC has not published a notification timeline. Given the Forum dates of November 16–20, 2026, expect rapid turnaround between selection and the event. Monitor your email and the official webpage closely after submission.
Both individuals and organizations may apply. The call explicitly welcomes young professionals and innovators alongside youth-led organizations, civil society groups, academic institutions, and private sector entities. Individual applicants should demonstrate how their session will engage broader stakeholder participation.
Strong proposals directly address the theme "Reflecting, Reimagining, and Repositioning the African Youth Charter," demonstrate innovative approaches to youth inclusion, offer concrete actionable solutions, and show capacity to engage diverse participants including AU Member States, RECs, and development partners. Avoid theoretical presentations; prioritize interactive formats with measurable outcomes.
No formal AU or government registration is mentioned as a requirement. Youth-led organizations may include informal groups. However, your proposal should demonstrate credibility through past work, partnerships, or demonstrated impact in youth development. Academic and private sector applicants should show institutional affiliation.
Selection odds are not published. As one of Africa's leading youth policy platforms with limited session slots and continent-wide competition, expect high selectivity. Strengthen your application by: aligning tightly with the theme, showing SADC/regional relevance, demonstrating past policy engagement experience, partnering with established organizations, and proposing interactive formats that advance the AYC@20 agenda beyond reflection to concrete repositioning.

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