Celebrating the Changemakers Shaping Our Future

Across West Africa, young people aren’t waiting for change—they’re creating it. From innovative startups solving local challenges to grassroots movements building peace in their communities, youth-led initiatives are transforming our continent in powerful ways.

This Africa Youth Day 2025, the Organization for West African Youth (OWAY) is shining a spotlight on these incredible changemakers through our “Upscaling Youth Impact” campaign. We’re creating a space where your stories can inspire others, where your innovations can spark new ideas, and where your voice can reach thousands across the region and beyond.

Why This Matters

Every day, young people across our 15 ECOWAS countries are tackling the issues that matter most—creating jobs, protecting our environment, advancing education, and building stronger communities. Yet too often, these stories go untold, and these innovations remain hidden in their local contexts.

We’re changing that.

Our goals are simple but ambitious:

• Showcase at least 50 youth-led initiatives from across West Africa
• Build a digital home for youth innovation stories that educates and inspires
• Connect young leaders so they can learn from each other and collaborate
• Amplify OWAY’s role as the go-to platform for youth empowerment in West Africa

We Want to Hear YOUR Story

Submission Period: October 15–29, 2025

Are you leading a project that’s making a difference? We want to feature you! Whether you’re running a tech startup, organizing community clean-ups, mentoring students, or advocating for policy change—if you’re between 15 and 35 and creating positive impact, this is your moment.

Themes We’re Looking For:

• Innovation & Entrepreneurship
  Building businesses, developing apps, or creating solutions to local problems
• Climate Action & Environment
  Protecting our planet, promoting sustainability, or addressing environmental challenges
• Peacebuilding & Governance
  Fostering dialogue, strengthening democracy, or building more inclusive communities
• Education & Skills Development
  Improving access to learning, training the next generation, or bridging skills gaps
• Health & Well-being
  Advancing healthcare access, promoting mental health, or improving community wellness
• Arts, Culture & Sports
  Using creativity and athletics to inspire, unite, and drive social change

How to Submit Your Story

Getting featured is easy! Just send us:

• Your story (300 words or less)—tell us what you’re doing, why it matters, and the impact you’ve created
• Visual content—1-3 photos and a short video (up to 1 minute) showing your work in action
• Basic details—your country, organization name, and how we can reach you
• Social media handles (optional)—so we can tag you when we share your story!

Your submission could be featured on the OWAY website and shared across our social media platforms, reaching thousands of young people, organizations, and potential partners across West Africa.

Join the Movement

This isn’t just about recognition—it’s about building a community. When you share your story, you’re not only inspiring others; you’re connecting with fellow changemakers who share your passion and vision for a better West Africa.

Ready to be part of something bigger? Submit your initiative today and let’s celebrate the power of West African youth together.

Click To Submit