Deadline: 17-Jul-2026
The AUDA-NEPAD COYYA Programme, in partnership with AECID, invites young Africans aged 18–35 to apply as Youth SRH Ambassadors. The programme supports youth leadership, sexual and reproductive health advocacy, digital engagement, community mobilization, and awareness of African Union frameworks such as Agenda 2063, the African Youth Charter, and the Maputo Protocol.
Overview
The COYYA Programme supports youth and women’s empowerment across African Union Member States.
It aims to strengthen youth participation in sexual and reproductive health, governance, advocacy, and development. Selected ambassadors will help promote SRH awareness, youth-led advocacy, policy engagement, and community mobilization.
The programme is implemented by AUDA-NEPAD in partnership with AECID.
Key Details
- Programme: COYYA Programme
- Implementing partner: AUDA-NEPAD
- Partner: AECID
- Region: African Union Member States
- Eligible age: 18–35 years
- Eligible applicants: Young Africans, including diaspora youth
- Role: Youth SRH Ambassador
- Application method: Online form
- Financial remuneration: Not provided
- Focus: SRH advocacy, youth empowerment, digital advocacy, and policy engagement
Focus Areas
The programme focuses on youth leadership and sexual and reproductive health advocacy.
Key themes include:
- Sexual and reproductive health
- Youth health and wellbeing
- Youth leadership
- Youth-led advocacy
- Women’s empowerment
- Digital advocacy
- Community mobilization
- Policy engagement
- Peer education
- Agenda 2063 awareness
- African Youth Charter awareness
- Maputo Protocol awareness
- Demographic dividend
- Youth participation in governance and development
Key Concepts Explained
What is Sexual and Reproductive Health?
Sexual and reproductive health refers to access to information, services, rights, and support related to reproductive health, bodily autonomy, safe health choices, and wellbeing.
What is Youth SRH Advocacy?
Youth SRH advocacy means young people actively promoting awareness, policies, services, and rights related to sexual and reproductive health.
What is Agenda 2063?
Agenda 2063 is the African Union’s long-term development framework for building an integrated, prosperous, peaceful, and people-driven Africa.
What is the African Youth Charter?
The African Youth Charter is an African Union framework that defines the rights, responsibilities, and role of young people in Africa’s development.
What is the Maputo Protocol?
The Maputo Protocol is an African Union legal framework focused on the rights of women in Africa, including health, dignity, equality, and participation.
What is the Demographic Dividend?
The demographic dividend refers to the economic and social benefits that can result when a large youth population is healthy, educated, skilled, and actively involved in development.
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must be young Africans aged 18–35.
Eligible applicants include:
- Young Africans living in African Union Member States
- Young Africans in the diaspora
- Youth advocates
- Digital content creators
- Community mobilizers
- Young leaders working on SRH, health, gender, or youth empowerment
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Commitment to SRH advocacy
- Interest in youth empowerment
- Digital engagement or content creation ability
- Capacity to mobilize peers and communities
- Leadership potential
- Understanding of youth and SRH-related issues
Representation across gender, regions, languages, and marginalized groups is encouraged.
Familiarity with Agenda 2063 and SRH-related frameworks is an advantage.
Benefits for Selected Ambassadors
Selected ambassadors will receive official recognition by AUDA-NEPAD.
They may also access:
- Continental SRH dialogues
- Global SRH dialogues
- Advocacy campaigns
- Training opportunities
- Mentorship
- Engagement with policymakers
- Youth networks
- Regional platform visibility
- Sponsored participation in selected SRH and youth-related engagements
The ambassador role is voluntary and does not include financial remuneration.
How Selection Works
Applications are assessed based on:
- Commitment to youth advocacy
- Commitment to SRH advocacy
- Leadership potential
- Digital influence
- Content creation ability
- Ability to mobilize peers and communities
- Alignment with AUDA-NEPAD’s youth and SRH agenda
Selected candidates are appointed as Youth SRH Ambassadors and participate in programme activities.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Check that you are a young African aged 18–35, including if you are based in the diaspora.
Step 2: Review Your Advocacy Experience
Identify your experience in SRH, youth empowerment, digital advocacy, community mobilization, or policy engagement.
Step 3: Prepare Your Online Application
Gather relevant information about your background, leadership experience, digital engagement, and motivation.
Step 4: Highlight Digital and Community Reach
Explain how you use digital platforms, content creation, peer networks, or community action to influence others.
Step 5: Show Alignment with AU Frameworks
Mention any familiarity with Agenda 2063, the African Youth Charter, the Maputo Protocol, or SRH-related frameworks.
Step 6: Submit the Online Form
Complete and submit the application through the official online form.
Step 7: Await Selection
Applications will be reviewed, and selected candidates will be appointed as Youth SRH Ambassadors.
Why It Matters
The COYYA Programme strengthens youth participation in Africa’s development and health agenda.
It matters because it:
- Promotes youth leadership in SRH.
- Supports women and youth empowerment.
- Increases awareness of African Union frameworks.
- Encourages digital advocacy and community mobilization.
- Builds youth capacity to engage policymakers.
- Advances Africa’s demographic dividend.
- Creates regional and continental platforms for youth voices.
- Strengthens youth participation in governance and development.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Applying outside the 18–35 age range
- Submitting unclear advocacy experience
- Failing to show commitment to SRH or youth empowerment
- Ignoring digital engagement or community mobilization experience
- Providing generic responses without examples
- Not explaining leadership potential
- Failing to show alignment with AUDA-NEPAD’s youth and SRH agenda
- Assuming the role includes financial remuneration
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants should:
- Clearly explain their SRH advocacy experience.
- Show real examples of youth or community mobilization.
- Highlight digital campaigns, content, or platforms they use.
- Explain how they will engage peers and communities.
- Mention work with women, youth, marginalized groups, or underserved communities.
- Demonstrate understanding of African Union development frameworks.
- Present a clear motivation for becoming a Youth SRH Ambassador.
- Be specific, concise, and impact-focused.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AUDA-NEPAD COYYA Programme?
It is a youth and women empowerment initiative that appoints Youth SRH Ambassadors to promote sexual and reproductive health advocacy, policy engagement, and community mobilization across Africa.
Who can apply?
Young Africans, including those in the diaspora, aged 18–35 can apply.
Is the role paid?
No. The Youth SRH Ambassador role is voluntary and does not include financial remuneration.
What benefits do selected ambassadors receive?
Selected ambassadors receive AUDA-NEPAD recognition, training, mentorship, advocacy opportunities, visibility, and possible sponsored participation in selected SRH and youth-related engagements.
What experience is useful for applicants?
Experience in SRH advocacy, youth empowerment, digital engagement, content creation, community mobilization, policy work, or youth leadership is useful.
How are applications submitted?
Applications are submitted through an online form.
How are candidates selected?
Candidates are assessed based on commitment to youth and SRH advocacy, leadership potential, digital influence, and ability to mobilize communities.
Conclusion
The AUDA-NEPAD COYYA Programme offers young Africans an opportunity to become Youth SRH Ambassadors and contribute to Africa’s health, youth leadership, and development agenda. By combining SRH advocacy, digital engagement, community mobilization, and awareness of AU frameworks, the programme strengthens youth voices in shaping Africa’s future.
For more information, visit AUDA.