On the 18th and 19th February 2026 following the Africa Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia- more than 30 youths’ group from Africa, Europe and the Diaspora gathered for the AU–EU Partnership & Accountability: A Youth-Friendly 2030 Vision event with the determination that young people’s voice must be included in shaping their future.

The event, supported by Oxfam in Africa in partnership with Search for Common Ground and Restless Development organisations saw young people from different countries in the continent and Europe sharing lived experiences and barriers affecting young people in shaping their futures beyond token consultation.

Discussions were focused on major commitments — including Agenda 2063, the AU–EU Joint Vision for 2030 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Young participants spoke about struggling to access sexual and reproductive health services despite commitments under the Maputo Protocol while others shared how they turn to entrepreneurship out of necessity, only to face systemic barriers to finance and limited access to green opportunities.

At the event, youth leaders presented three pieces of research they had done in the lead up to the event to the EU Delegation to the African Union and AU youth directorate.
 

The research:

  • Unspoken Rules explored how stigma and culture shape young people’s contraceptive choices across Africa.
  • Beyond Hustle captures the ambitions of young entrepreneurs across 14 African countries, and the structural barriers holding them back.
  • Beyond Tokenism highlights the persistent gap between policy promises and meaningful youth participation.
     

In the three research, it was clear from the findings that youth participation should not only be symbolic but rather representation and real power-sharing.
The youth also engaged directly with AU and EU representatives calling for genuine co-creation, stronger accountability and frameworks that reflect the realities of Africa’s diverse young population.

The meeting concluded with participants beginning to co-create a Youth Advocacy & Accountability Roadmap for 2026–2027 — a practical plan to guide sustained youth engagement and monitor AU–EU commitments in the years ahead.