At the Global Gateway High-Level Event on Education in Brussels, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen unveiled new initiatives to empower African youth through enhanced education and skills development. The European Union’s commitment to youth mobility and opportunity-driven training includes the Africa-Europe Youth Academy, the Team Europe Initiative on Opportunity-driven Skills, and 15 new projects under the Youth Mobility for Africa flagship.
Commissioner Urpilainen highlighted the importance of equipping young Africans with green and digital skills, emphasizing their critical role in job creation and economic growth. “Education and skills are key to combating inequalities and creating jobs,” she said, underscoring the EU’s investment in quality education and skills training.
The Africa-Europe Youth Academy, launched with €15 million from the EU, is a flagship initiative under the EU’s Youth Action Plan. It aims to foster leadership development and strengthen networks between Africa and Europe by providing opportunities for both formal and informal learning exchanges.
In addition, the EU launched 15 Intra-Africa Mobility Scheme projects, funded with €27 million, aimed at enhancing mobility and building high-level skills across 22 African countries. This initiative focuses on boosting green and digital expertise in students, trainees, and staff throughout the continent.
The Team Europe Initiative on Opportunity-driven Skills will tailor vocational education and training (VET) to align with employment opportunities, particularly in sectors linked to the EU’s Global Gateway investments in Sub-Saharan Africa. With a €75 million budget, the initiative will promote public-private partnerships and fund regional VET initiatives to enhance job readiness and gender equality in skills development.
These efforts reflect the EU’s ongoing commitment to fostering educational opportunities, reducing inequalities, and empowering youth across Africa for sustainable employment and active citizenship.
Through these initiatives, the EU continues to lead global investments in education, striving to create pathways for youth that will bridge the gap between learning and future employment opportunities.