In a significant move to reinforce youth empowerment and regional development, the African Union (AU) and France Volontaires (FV) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize and strengthen their collaboration in promoting volunteerism across the continent. The partnership seeks to bolster the capacity of AU Member States in building resilient and inclusive volunteer ecosystems that can effectively contribute to Africa’s socio-economic transformation.

Rooted in shared values of solidarity, civic engagement, and sustainable development, the agreement directly supports the mandate of the AU’s Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate (WGYD) and contributes to the implementation of the flagship “1 Million Next Level Initiative,” which focuses on enhancing youth participation in governance, innovation, employment, and engagement.

Ms. Prudence Ngwenya, Director of the WGYD, emphasized the importance of the collaboration in unlocking the potential of Africa’s youth. “This strengthened collaboration with France Volontaires will allow us to further engage African youth through volunteerism across the continent. We recognize the crucial role volunteering plays in equipping young people with both hard and soft skills, enabling them to become agents of change for inclusive and peaceful societies,” she stated.

Echoing her sentiments, Mr. Yann Delaunay, General Manager of France Volontaires, described the partnership as a milestone in reinforcing regional and continental volunteer efforts. “I am delighted to reach this new level of collaboration with such a key regional body as the African Union Commission. We already work together in several countries through the DENVA program, which supports the development of volunteer ecosystems in 12 West African nations. This agreement allows us to deepen our efforts by fostering volunteer policies across Africa and engaging both governmental and non-governmental actors to create high-quality opportunities for youth at national, regional, continental, and international levels,” he said. “Volunteerism is a powerful lever for advancing both the UN Agenda 2030 and AU Agenda 2063.”

Under the newly signed MoU, the AU and France Volontaires will work jointly to provide technical support to Member States for the development and strengthening of volunteerism policies, infrastructure, and frameworks. The agreement also envisions the establishment of continental and international standards for volunteerism, harmonizing practices and principles across countries.

Another key focus area will be improving data collection and analysis on the contributions of volunteerism to Africa’s socio-economic development, particularly in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This strategic partnership underscores a shared commitment to creating meaningful pathways for African youth to contribute to their communities, build essential skills, and participate fully in the continent’s development journey. Through enhanced volunteerism, the AU and France Volontaires aim to unlock the vast potential of young people as catalysts for sustainable, inclusive, and peaceful societies.