The Africa-Europe Innovation Platform (AEIP) Art4Change Storytelling Fellowship 2026 for young creatives.

Introduction

Applications are now open for the 2026 Art4Change Storytelling Fellowship, a six-month programme supporting young creatives from Africa, Europe and the diaspora to document and share stories of youth-led innovation.

About the Fellowship

The Art4Change Storytelling Fellowship is a six-month programme running from June to December 2026 organised by the Africa-Europe Innovation Platform (AEIP) and implemented by The African Youth Café (TYC). It will bring together young creatives from Africa, Europe, and the diaspora to explore and document youth innovation.

Objectives

The Art4Change Storytelling Fellowship seeks to address the gap by supporting young creatives to document and share these experiences through their own perspectives. By participating in the fellowship, applicants have the opportunity to build their skills and bring visibility to stories that might otherwise go unheard.

Fellowship Activities

Through writing, photography, video, audio, and digital storytelling, fellows will capture real stories of how young people are creating, testing, and applying innovative ideas in their communities. All selected fellows will publish their work on a dedicated blog and digital platform hosted by the project, ensuring that their stories are accessible to wider audiences.

Fellowship Structure

Over the six months, selected fellows will:

• Participate in structured online training sessions on digital storytelling, including writing, photography, video production, and content planning
• Receive mentorship and editorial support from experienced practitioners throughout the programme
• Develop and publish stories on youth innovation based on real-life experiences and field engagement
• Work with peers from different regions to exchange ideas and approaches to storytelling
• Contribute regularly to a shared digital platform featuring their published work

Outcomes

By the end of the fellowship, participants will have produced:

• A series of published digital stories (articles, videos, photo essays, or multimedia content)
• Documented digital case studies of youth innovation from different contexts
• A shared online archive of youth-led innovation stories
• Contributions to a growing body of knowledge on how young people engage with innovation across regions

Eligibility

The program is looking for young creatives who are:

• Aged 18–35
• Based in Africa, Europe, or the diaspora
• Interested in storytelling, media, or digital content creation
• Passionate about documenting youth innovation and community solutions
• Able to commit to a six-month programme of training and content production

Benefits

Selected fellows will receive:

• Structured training in digital storytelling and content creation
• Continuous mentorship and editorial guidance
• A stipend to support content production costs such as transport, data, and basic fieldwork needs
• Access to a platform for publishing and showcasing their work

Application Deadline

Application Deadline: 29 May 2026.