Deadline: July 31, 2026
Apply to join the UNDP African Youth Co-Creators Council 2026. Shape youth-centred solutions. Champion young voices. Transform Africa’s future. UNDP is selecting 11 young leaders from across Africa and the diaspora to advise and co-create its work with and for young people.
The Council’s mandate follows a triple-A strategy:
- Advise. Guide the design and delivery of UNDP projects and flagship initiatives across the region and contribute to how results are monitored, evaluated and learned from.
- Anticipate. Surface emerging trends, risks and opportunities facing young Africans and propose the policy and programme responses to match.
- Amplify. Strengthen their own leadership through dedicated capacity-building and carry those skills back into their communities as effective leaders of change.
In practice, members will take part in consultations and policy discussions, identify and document youth-led solutions worth scaling, engage UNDP Country Offices and UN country-level youth structures when relevant and join regional dialogues with partners including the African Union Commission and Regional Economic Communities. At the end of its mandate, the Council will produce a consolidated report on youth priorities and emerging trends across Africa which will act as a resource for UNDP and development partners alike.
Most meetings will take place online, with a few key moments such as onboarding, the mid-term review and the closing ceremony, bringing members together in person. Members are expected to take part in at least 75 percent of Council activities. Participation is voluntary, and UNDP will reasonably cover the costs of travel, accommodation, meals and digital communications for Council activities.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply if you:
- are an African national aged between 18 and 34 at the time of selection, living on the continent or in the diaspora (a maximum of two seats are reserved for diaspora candidates);
- have demonstrated leadership, community engagement or innovation experience in one or more of the following areas: systems thinking, communication, governance, political transitions, peacebuilding, climate action, mental health, gender, the green, blue or orange economy, poverty reduction, or digital innovation;
- are committed to inclusive development and youth empowerment;
- have not previously served on a Youth Advisory Council, Youth Sounding Board or similar advisory mechanism of the UN or another development partner—the Council is designed to bring in fresh perspectives;
- can take part in regular virtual meetings and periodic in-person engagements;
- have strong written and spoken English; and
- are able to serve in a personal and apolitical capacity.
You can apply as an individual or as a member of a youth organization; however, belonging to an organization does not mean you will represent it on the Council.
Application
For more information, visit African Youth Co-Creators Council.
