UNDP African Youth Co-Creators Council 2026
The UNDP African Youth Co-Creators Council 2026 will select 11 young African leaders to advise and co-create UNDP’s work with and for young people. Members will serve for two years through mainly online activities and selected in-person engagements. Applications close on 31 July 2026.
Quick Overview
Programme: African Youth Co-Creators Council
Opportunity Type: Continental youth advisory council
Host Organization: UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa
Programme Format: Mainly online with periodic in-person engagements
Duration: Two years
Available Places: 11 council members
Eligibility: African nationals aged 18–34
Deadline: 31 July 2026
About the African Youth Co-Creators Council
The African Youth Co-Creators Council is a new advisory group established by the UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa. Its members will come from Africa’s five regions and the African diaspora.
Council members will work alongside UNDP teams in Addis Ababa, Dakar, Nairobi, and Pretoria. They will also connect with UNDP Country Offices across 46 African countries.
The Council will contribute to UNDP’s new Africa Youth Portfolio and the wider work of the Regional Service Centre for Africa. Members will support programme design, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
What Council Members Will Do
The Council’s mandate follows three areas of work: Advise, Anticipate, and Amplify.
Members will:
• Guide the design and delivery of UNDP projects and regional initiatives
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes
• Identify emerging trends, risks, and opportunities affecting African youth
• Recommend relevant policy and programme responses
• Document youth-led solutions that could be expanded
• Engage with UNDP Country Offices and UN youth structures
• Participate in regional dialogues with development partners
• Contribute to a consolidated report on youth priorities and emerging trends
Council members may engage with partners including the African Union Commission and Regional Economic Communities.
Also read: WIC Global Youth Leadership Program 2026
Participation Format and Commitment
Most Council meetings will take place online. Members will also meet in person during key activities such as onboarding, the mid-term review, and the closing ceremony.
Selected members must participate in at least 75 percent of Council activities. They must also be available for regular virtual meetings and periodic in-person engagements.
Benefits and Financial Coverage
Participation in the Council is voluntary. UNDP will reasonably cover costs connected to official Council activities.
Confirmed support includes:
✓ Travel costs for Council activities
✓ Accommodation for relevant activities
✓ Meals during Council activities
✓ Digital communication costs
✓ Dedicated capacity-building opportunities
✓ Participation in regional consultations and policy discussions
Council members will strengthen their leadership through capacity-building and apply the skills gained within their communities.
Check: Google Africa Applied AI Lab 2026 for AI Founders and Researchers
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
• Be an African national
• Be between 18 and 34 years old at the time of selection
• Live in Africa or in the African diaspora
• Demonstrate leadership, community engagement, or innovation experience
• Be committed to inclusive development and youth empowerment
• Have strong written and spoken English
• Be able to participate in regular online meetings and periodic in-person activities
• Be able to serve in a personal and apolitical capacity
• Have not previously served on a Youth Advisory Council, Youth Sounding Board, or a similar advisory mechanism of the UN or another development partner
A maximum of two Council seats are reserved for candidates living in the diaspora.
Relevant Areas of Experience
Applicants should demonstrate experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Systems thinking
• Communication
• Governance
• Political transitions
• Peacebuilding
• Climate action
• Mental health
• Gender
• Green, blue, or orange economy
• Poverty reduction
• Digital innovation
Candidates may apply individually or as members of youth organisations. However, selected candidates will serve in their personal capacity rather than as representatives of their organisations.
Inclusion and Regional Representation
The selection process will prioritize gender balance, regional diversity, and inclusion.
UNDP also aims to include:
• Persons with disabilities
• Young people from rural and remote areas
• Candidates representing linguistic diversity
• Young leaders from different African regions
• A limited number of diaspora representatives
Explore: Youth Democracy Summit 2026 in Italy – 300 Delegates
Selection Process
UNDP Country Offices across Africa will support the preparation of a longlist of applicants.
The selection process includes:
• Compilation of an initial longlist
• Preparation of a shortlist by the Regional Service Centre for Africa
• Consideration of regional diversity and inclusion criteria
• Panel interviews for shortlisted candidates
• Assessment using a scoring matrix
• Formal notification of the highest-ranked applicants
The interview panel will include representatives from the Regional Service Centre for Africa, UNDP Country Offices, and development partners.
Application Process
Applicants must complete the official online application form before the deadline.
Applications may be submitted in English or French. Candidates should provide accurate information demonstrating their leadership, community engagement, innovation experience, and commitment to youth empowerment.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the African Youth Co-Creators Council is 31 July 2026.
Official Link
Submit your application through the official application link below.
