Objectives
The flagship has five strategic objectives
- increase inclusive and demand-driven learning mobility opportunities, skills development, and collaboration within Africa, and between Africa and the EU, through exchanges, scholarships and cooperation projects
- strengthen continental integration by supporting regional and continental harmonisation mechanisms in education
- foster quality, relevance and attractiveness of African higher education institutions as destinations of choice
- support the empowerment of African youth for sustainable employability and active citizenship
- increase policy dialogue, coordination and valorisation of cooperation between African and European partners
The Youth Mobility for Africa flagship initiative is part of the Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package to increase strategic engagement between the EU and Africa in higher education and skills development. It focuses on learning mobility and youth on both continents. It will invest in human capital of young people, boost their employability through adequate and modern skills building, foster the conditions needed for academic and labour market mobility, as well as promote the inclusion, participation and consideration of young people as active members of societies in Africa and in Europe.
The initiative contributes to the Youth Action Plan in External Action (2022-2027) and the commitments made at the 6th EU-AU Summit in 2022, supporting our common ambition for 2030 and African Union Agenda 2063. It will contribute to the implementation of the African Union-European Union Innovation Agenda, adopted in July 2023.
Implementation
Youth Mobility in Africa brings under one umbrella several existing and new EU-funded programmes, including
- Erasmus+
- Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme
- Harmonisation of African Higher Education Quality Assurance and Accreditation
- support to the African Continental Qualifications Framework
- Young African Leaders Programme
- Africa-Europe Youth Academy
This approach will help to strengthen and harmonise multiple efforts, programmes and initiatives addressing international learning mobility and capacity building in higher education and skills development, quality assurance, qualification frameworks and youth leadership in Africa.
This flagship initiative aims to improve coordination between the EU and its Member States, the African Union and its Member States, and stakeholders from both continents, by providing a common platform for policy dialogue and exchanges. The involvement of a diverse range of stakeholders is sought. Improved coordination, synergies and complementarities will ultimately contribute to better targeted opportunities for African youth.
