4th Cohort of the African Youth Ambassadors for Peace (AYAP). The African Union (AU) has opened the call for applications for the 4th Cohort of the African Youth Ambassadors for Peace (AYAP). This flagship initiative continues the AU’s commitment to advancing the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda by strengthening the meaningful participation of young Africans in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and advocacy across the continent. Background: Strengthening Youth Leadership in Peace and Security The Youth for Peace (Africa) Program (Y4P) was launched in 2018 under the former Peace and Security Department—now the Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department (PAPS)—with the overarching goal of enhancing youth engagement across all aspects of peace and security. The AU Peace and Security Council, during its 807th meeting, mandated the creation of five regional Youth Ambassadors to collaborate with the AU Youth Envoy and elevate youth contributions to peace efforts. AYAPs operate under the direct supervision of PAPS leadership and promote the implementation of the Continental Framework on Youth, Peace and Security (CFYPS). Their work is guided by Article 17 of the AU Youth Charter (2006) and aligned with global YPS instruments, including UN Security Council Resolutions 2250 (2015), 2419 (2018), and 2535 (2020). Previous AYAP cohorts—endorsed by AU Assemblies in 2020, 2022, and 2024—have each served two-year, non-renewable terms, focusing on amplifying youth voices, strengthening policy engagement, and promoting the resilience of young Africans affected by conflict. Eligibility Criteria and Qualifications Applications are open to all African youth who demonstrate a strong commitment to peace and security. The AU particularly encourages submissions from young women, displaced persons, and persons with disabilities who meet the following criteria: Be 18 to 35 years old throughout the entire AYAP tenure. Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree and possess a minimum of 2 years of experience in peace and security. Demonstrate proven advocacy skills on youth, peace and security issues. Show experience supporting peace processes, including dialogue facilitation and mediation efforts. Have a strong track record of engagement within their local community or region. Communicate effectively with strong advocacy and public engagement skills. Be fluent in at least one AU working language (English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Swahili or Spanish); proficiency in an additional language is an asset. Mission and Responsibilities of AYAPs AYAPs act as regional champions of the YPS agenda and serve as key advocates for youth inclusion in peace and security. Their core responsibilities include: Advocating for young people’s rights within their regions. Raising awareness on the Continental Framework on Youth, Peace and Security (CFYPS) and its 10-Year Implementation Plan. Supporting AU Member States in coordinating the Y4P program and advancing National Action Plans. Implementing regional youth activities aligned with the five CFYPS priority areas. Representing AU PAPS at meetings, workshops, trainings and policy engagements upon request. The Five CFYPS Priority Areas The AYAP mission is grounded in the CFYPS’ five core priorities: Participation Promote meaningful youth involvement in decision-making and peace processes. Support elimination of barriers that limit youth engagement. Encourage development and implementation of National Action Plans (NAPs). Prevention Strengthen youth capacity in peace education and conflict prevention. Promote youth-led mediation, dialogue and violence-prevention initiatives. Advocate for investments supporting youth access to education, employment and training to reduce vulnerability to manipulation and recruitment. Protection Advocate for adherence to humanitarian and human rights laws. Promote safe environments for young people in conflict zones. Support protection of displaced youth and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Partnerships and Coordination Facilitate communication between youth and key stakeholders. Promote coordinated political, financial and technical support for youth-led peace initiatives. Disengagement and Rehabilitation Support programs for disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and rehabilitation of youth emerging from armed or extremist groups. Advocate for youth participation in reconstruction and stabilization in post-conflict areas. How to Apply Qualified candidates must submit their applications online via the official link before 23:59 EAT on 15 December 2025: Application Form: https://forms.gle/sayM9ghQFkX31Gc69 For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the awarding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.