Art4Change Storytelling Fellowship 2026 for Young Creatives Across Africa, Europe and Diaspora

Young creatives interested in storytelling, media, photography, video production and digital content creation can now apply for the 2026 edition of the Art4Change Storytelling Fellowship.

The fellowship, organised by the Africa-Europe Innovation Platform (AEIP) and implemented by The African Youth Café (TYC), is looking for young people who are passionate about documenting innovation stories and community-driven solutions across Africa, Europe and the diaspora.

According to the organisers, the six-month programme will run from June to December 2026 and will provide participants with practical storytelling experience, mentorship, digital publishing opportunities and financial support for content production.

The programme aims to amplify stories of youth innovation that often go unnoticed despite the growing role young people play in solving social and economic challenges through technology, creativity and grassroots initiatives.

In a statement announcing the call for applications, AEIP said young people remain central to innovation across different regions through digital platforms, creative industries, start-ups and community-led projects, but many of these efforts are still underreported.

The organisers explained that the fellowship was created to help bridge that gap by giving young storytellers the tools and support needed to document and share these experiences from their own perspectives.

Focus of the Fellowship

The Art4Change Storytelling Fellowship will focus on real-life stories of youth innovation and the realities behind building ideas into practical solutions.

Participants will explore how young innovators create, test and apply new ideas within their communities while also documenting the challenges they face.

The fellowship is not limited to technology or start-up ecosystems alone. It will also cover everyday innovation happening in local communities, creative spaces, grassroots projects and social initiatives.

Selected fellows will use different storytelling formats including:

• Writing
• Photography
• Video storytelling
• Audio storytelling
• Multimedia and digital content

The organisers said all selected participants will publish their work on a dedicated digital platform and blog created for the fellowship, helping their stories reach wider audiences across regions.

What Participants Will Gain

During the six-month programme, fellows will take part in structured online training sessions focused on digital storytelling and content production.

The training areas include:

• Writing and feature storytelling
• Photography techniques
• Video production
• Content planning
• Multimedia storytelling

Participants will also receive mentorship and editorial support from experienced practitioners throughout the programme.

According to the organisers, the fellowship is designed as a practical learning experience where participants improve their storytelling skills while actively producing content.

Fellows will also collaborate with other creatives from different countries and regions, allowing them to exchange ideas, perspectives and storytelling approaches.

Another major part of the programme is regular contribution to the shared online storytelling platform where fellows will publish innovation-focused stories based on field engagement and real-life experiences.

By the end of the fellowship, participants are expected to produce several digital storytelling projects and documented case studies focused on youth-led innovation.

Expected Outputs From Fellows

At the conclusion of the programme, fellows will have produced:

• Published digital stories including articles, videos, photo essays and multimedia content
• Documented case studies on youth innovation from different communities and regions
• Contributions to a growing online archive of youth innovation stories
• Storytelling content that expands knowledge about youth innovation across Africa, Europe and the diaspora

The organisers believe these contributions will help create stronger visibility for young innovators while also preserving important stories about community-driven solutions and creative problem-solving.

Who Can Apply

The fellowship is open to young creatives between the ages of 18 and 35.

Applicants must be based in:

• Africa
• Europe
• The diaspora

Interested candidates are expected to have a strong interest in storytelling, media or digital content creation.

Applicants should also be passionate about documenting innovation, social impact initiatives and community-based solutions.

In addition, participants must be available to commit to the full six-month training and storytelling programme.

The organisers did not state that applicants must possess professional experience, making the opportunity accessible to emerging storytellers and young creatives looking to build their portfolios and practical media skills.

Benefits for Selected Fellows

Selected fellows will receive several forms of support during the programme.

These include:

• Structured training in digital storytelling
• Editorial guidance and mentorship
• Access to a publishing platform
• A stipend to support production-related costs

The stipend is intended to help cover expenses such as transportation, internet data and basic fieldwork needs during the content production process.

The organisers said this support is aimed at helping fellows focus on producing quality stories from their communities and environments.

How to Apply

Applications for the Art4Change Storytelling Fellowship 2026 are currently open.

Interested applicants are required to complete the official online application form and provide details about their background, experience and a short proposal for the type of story they intend to produce during the fellowship.

The application deadline is 29 May 2026.

Applicants can access the application form here: https://forms.office.com/r/rQak9wB3AD

The fellowship is supported under the Africa-Europe Innovation Platform initiative, which is funded by the European Union.

According to AEIP, the programme seeks to strengthen collaboration, innovation and youth engagement across Africa and Europe through storytelling and knowledge sharing.