UNDP African Youth Co-Creators Council 2026: Fully Supported Leadership Opportunity for Young African Leaders | Apply by 31 July 2026
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Are you a young African leader looking for a prestigious leadership opportunity with the United Nations Development Programme? The UNDP African Youth Co-Creators Council 2026 is now accepting applications from outstanding young leaders across Africa and the African diaspora.
This exciting two-year opportunity gives selected participants the chance to advise UNDP, co-create youth-centered solutions, influence regional development policies, and collaborate with experts across Africa. If you are passionate about youth empowerment, governance, climate action, innovation, peacebuilding, or sustainable development, this is an opportunity you should not miss.
Applications close on 31 July 2026.
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Summary of the UNDP African Youth Co-Creators Council 2026
- Organization: United Nations Development Programme
- Programme: African Youth Co-Creators Council 2026
- Opportunity Type: Youth Leadership Council
- Duration: Two Years
- Eligible Applicants: African nationals aged 18–34
- Location: Virtual with selected in-person meetings across Africa
- Travel Support: Fully covered for official Council activities
- Application Deadline: 31 July 2026
What is the UNDP African Youth Co-Creators Council?
The UNDP African Youth Co-Creators Council is a newly established continental advisory body created by the UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa (RSCA).
The Council brings together 11 exceptional young leaders representing Africa’s five geographical regions and the African diaspora to help shape UNDP’s youth agenda across the continent.
Members will work closely with UNDP regional offices in:
- Addis Ababa
- Nairobi
- Dakar
- Pretoria
Participants will also engage with UNDP Country Offices operating in 46 African countries.
The Council will directly contribute to designing, implementing, monitoring, and improving the UNDP Africa Youth Portfolio.
Why You Should Apply for the UNDP African Youth Co-Creators Council
Being selected offers an outstanding opportunity to influence continental development while expanding your leadership skills.
Successful applicants will receive:
- Opportunity to advise UNDP on youth-focused programmes
- Leadership development and capacity-building
- Networking with African Union and regional institutions
- Collaboration with UNDP experts across Africa
- Participation in regional policy dialogues
- Opportunity to identify scalable youth-led innovations
- Fully supported travel for official in-person meetings
- Accommodation covered during Council events
- Meals covered during official activities
- Digital communication support
- Recognition as one of Africa’s leading young changemakers
Although participation is voluntary, UNDP covers approved costs associated with Council activities.
Responsibilities of Council Members
The Council follows UNDP’s Triple-A Strategy:
1. Advise
Council members will provide strategic advice on:
- Youth programmes
- Regional initiatives
- Project implementation
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Learning frameworks
2. Anticipate
Members will identify:
- Emerging youth challenges
- Future opportunities
- Policy gaps
- Innovation trends
- Risks affecting African youth
3. Amplify
Council members will:
- Build leadership skills
- Share knowledge within communities
- Promote youth participation
- Champion inclusive development
Activities You Will Participate In
Selected members will:
- Attend virtual Council meetings
- Join regional consultations
- Participate in policy discussions
- Support UNDP Country Offices
- Document successful youth-led innovations
- Engage with African Union Commission initiatives
- Collaborate with Regional Economic Communities
- Produce a final continental youth priorities report
Participants are expected to attend at least 75% of Council activities.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be an African national
- Be between 18 and 34 years old
- Live in Africa or the African diaspora
- Demonstrate leadership or innovation experience
- Be committed to youth empowerment
- Support inclusive development
- Have excellent written and spoken English
- Serve in an independent and apolitical capacity
- Participate in regular virtual and occasional in-person meetings
Applicants may apply individually or as members of youth organizations, although selected members will serve in their personal capacity.
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Preferred Areas of Experience
UNDP encourages applications from young leaders with experience in:
- Climate action
- Governance
- Peacebuilding
- Gender equality
- Digital innovation
- Systems thinking
- Political transitions
- Mental health
- Communication
- Poverty reduction
- Green economy
- Blue economy
- Orange economy
- Community leadership
Diversity and Inclusion
UNDP is committed to building an inclusive Council.
Selection will prioritize:
- Gender equality
- Regional representation
- Persons with disabilities
- Rural youth
- Remote communities
- Linguistic diversity
- African diaspora representation
Only two Council seats are reserved for diaspora applicants.
Selection Process
The selection process includes:
- Submission of applications
- Longlisting by UNDP Country Offices
- Shortlisting by the Regional Service Centre for Africa
- Panel interviews
- Scoring using a transparent evaluation matrix
- Final selection and notification
Meeting Format
Most Council engagements will be conducted online.
However, members will also attend several in-person events, including:
- Council onboarding
- Mid-term review
- Closing ceremony
UNDP will cover approved travel and participation expenses for these activities.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should complete the official online application before 31 July 2026.
Applications may be submitted in either:
- English
- French
Application Deadline
31 July 2026
Late applications will not be considered.
Final Thoughts
The UNDP African Youth Co-Creators Council 2026 offers one of the most prestigious youth leadership opportunities available to young Africans. If you want to contribute to policy development, influence regional programmes, strengthen your leadership skills, and collaborate with one of the world’s leading development organizations, this programme is an excellent opportunity.
Young innovators, activists, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and professionals passionate about Africa’s future are strongly encouraged to apply before the closing date.
