New Leaders Lab (NLL): Africa-Europe Youth Academy (AEYA), fully funded by the European Union (EU) Deadline: 19-07-2026

About

Are you a young, driven change-maker with a concrete project or business idea to transform your community? The Africa-Europe Youth Academy (AEYA), fully funded by the European Union (EU), has officially opened applications for its flagship cohort: the New Leaders Lab (NLL).

This unique, 100% free opportunity is specifically tailored for emerging leaders residing across 19 targeted African nations. Designed to bypass traditional academic barriers, the programme focuses purely on your motivation, raw leadership potential, and desire to drive sustainable grassroots impact.

Programme Quick Snapshot

Element	Details
Programme Name	New Leaders Lab (NLL)
Sponsor / Host	European Union & Africa-Europe Youth Academy (AEYA)
Programme Cost	100% Free / Fully Funded
Expected Duration	3 to 4 Months
Target Age Group	18 to 30 Years Old
Eligible Countries	19 African Nations

What is the New Leaders Lab?

The New Leaders Lab is an intensive, 3-to-4-month leadership incubator with a strong entrepreneurial, civic, and community focus. Rather than traditional theoretical lectures, the curriculum integrates:

Thematic Learning Modules: Focused on solving modern societal challenges.
Practical Workshops: Hands-on skill-building for project design and execution.
Personalized Support: Tailored mentorship to help get your specific idea off the ground.
Peer-to-Peer Learning: High-level networking and collaborative exchanges with fellow young African leaders.

Who Should Apply?

The New Leaders Lab intentionally operates an inclusive, open-door policy. You do not need a university degree, an advanced corporate resume, or an already registered business to apply.

Whether you are currently a university student, a young professional, an informal entrepreneur running an early-stage venture, or actively seeking employment, this programme is built for you.

Inclusivity Mandate: AEYA strongly encourages applications from women and young people from underrepresented backgrounds—including persons with disabilities, individuals from remote rural environments, and those possessing non-traditional education levels (primary, secondary, or vocational).

Strict Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for evaluation, applicants must satisfy all of the following baseline conditions:

Age: Must be aged between 18 and 30 years old at the time of application.
Geography: Must currently reside in one of the following 19 eligible countries:
- Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, or Zambia.
Language: Must possess at least a basic working knowledge of English, French, or Portuguese.
Civic Engagement: Must be actively involved in community, civic, associative, or entrepreneurial initiatives (or demonstrate a clear, passionate desire to become engaged).
Project Requirement: Must have a tangible project or business idea you wish to implement.
Thematic Focus: Your project concept must directly align with core developmental themes such as:
- Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability
- Rural Development & Agribusiness
- Urban Development & Smart Cities
- Social Inclusion & Gender Equality
- Grassroots Entrepreneurship & Job Creation

How to Apply

If you are ready to turn your raw community project idea into a structured, impactful reality under European Union sponsorship, submit your application before the cohort reaches capacity.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY