The Youth Charter has welcomed the outcomes of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Addis Ababa, calling for swift implementation measures to ensure summit commitments deliver tangible results for young people at community level.
The Assembly adopted its 2026 Theme of the Year, focusing on ensuring sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems in line with the ambitions of Agenda 2063. African leaders also reaffirmed youth empowerment, digital innovation, skills development and inclusive growth as central pillars of the continent’s long-term transformation.
Turning policy into practice
The Youth Charter says these priorities must now be realised where young people live, learn and play.
Professor Geoff Thompson, MBE, FRSA, DL, Chair of Youth Charter, said:
“Africa’s youth are its greatest asset. The commitments made in Addis Ababa are significant but they must now be visible on the ground. Sport provides one of the most powerful and scalable platforms to engage, equip and empower young people.”
Water, sanitation and safe sport participation
The African Union’s decision to prioritise water and sanitation presents what the Youth Charter describes as a clear opportunity to improve safe and inclusive youth participation.
Youth Charter Africa is proposing:
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Installation of safe water access at Community Campuses
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Gender-sensitive sanitation facilities to support girls’ participation
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Integration of WASH education into sport and cultural programmes
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Safeguarding frameworks aligned with AU youth policies
“Safe water and sanitation are not separate from youth development,” Thompson added. “They are foundational to participation, dignity and opportunity.”
Leveraging major sporting milestones
Africa’s sporting calendar in 2026 provides further opportunities to create a lasting youth legacy, including the Summer Youth Olympics 2026 and the Africa Cup of Nations 2026.
The Youth Charter is urging continental institutions and Member States to convert the visibility of major events into permanent community assets through its Community Campus model.
The Community Campus model
The Youth Charter’s Engage – Equip – Empower framework combines:
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Grassroots sport and cultural activity
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Accredited Social Coach training
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Digital literacy and employability pathways
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Youth leadership development
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Measurable socio-economic impact tracking
Each Community Campus is designed to act as a hub for youth opportunity, health promotion, peacebuilding and economic participation.
Call to action
Youth Charter Africa is seeking formal technical engagement with the African Union Commission, pilot Community Campus partnerships in three to five Member States, collaboration with Regional Economic Communities, and public–private blended financing to support the initial rollout.
The proposed three-year pilot model represents an investment of £258,750 per Community Campus, with blended funding from government, development finance, corporate social responsibility and philanthropic sources.
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