Center on African Philanthropy-and Social investment/PHOTO ilustration; CAPSI
The Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) at Wits Business School has announced the launch of a Pan-African Youth Competition aimed at inspiring young Africans to creatively interpret and share research on dignified and fulfilling work opportunities created by the nonprofit sector.
The initiative, supported and funded by one of CAPSI’s partners, builds on a study covering 17 African countries.
The research examined how nonprofits are contributing to the creation of meaningful and dignified jobs for Africa’s young people, a demographic that faces both the challenges of high unemployment and the promise of innovation and resilience.
The competition provides a unique platform for African youth to turn research findings into compelling, accessible, and creative outputs that can spark conversations across the continent.
It invites dynamic teams and youth-led organisations—owned and managed by young people between the ages of 18 and 35—to take part.
Four Regions, Four Prizes
The competition is open across Africa’s four subregions: North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, and Southern Africa.
From each region, one winning proposal will be selected.
Each winning team will receive US$32,000 in funding to bring their ideas to life. In total, US$128,000 has been set aside for the competition.
The award will be released in stages: an initial US$5,000 when the prize is awarded, followed by US$27,000 disbursed in tranches linked to the development and delivery of the project.
Beyond the financial support, the competition offers winners a set of opportunities that go further.
This includes: mentorship from experts in the field, visibility on CAPSI’s platforms and across partner networks, and the chance to present their work at policy and donor forums across Africa.
Creativity at the Center
What sets this competition apart is its emphasis on creativity and youth-driven communication. CAPSI is looking for outputs that resonate with young people, using digital, visual, and cultural formats.
Suggested approaches include:
- Digital Media, such as short films, animations, or documentaries
- Visual Arts through infographics, illustrations, and photography
- Performing arts, like spoken word, dance, or music videos
- Interactive Media such as podcasts, mobile apps, games, or online storytelling platforms
- Writing through blogs, short stories, or narrative journalism
This broad scope means that young creatives and innovators can draw on their unique talents and cultural contexts to connect with audiences and bring the study’s findings into everyday conversations about work, dignity, and the nonprofit sector.
Important Dates
The call officially launched on 19 September 2025. Teams have until 15 October 2025 to submit their proposals. Winners will be announced on 31 October 2025.
Who Can Apply
The competition is open to youth-owned and managed teams or organisations, with all members aged between 18 and 35 years.
A vetting process will be conducted, and applicants will be required to submit valid identification.
Any misrepresentation of age or other false information will lead to immediate disqualification.
Preference will be given to applicants from the 17 countries that were part of the original CAPSI study.
Proposals can be submitted in English, French, Portuguese, or Arabic, ensuring accessibility across the continent.
Selection and Next Steps
After the submission deadline, shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews with the review panel.
To demonstrate both capacity and creativity, shortlisted teams will also be required to present samples of their proposed work before the final winners are selected.
Applications should be submitted through the designated online portal provided by CAPSI.
Amplifying African Youth Voices
With Africa’s youth population projected to double by 2050, the question of how to create jobs that are not only available but also meaningful and dignified has never been more urgent.
CAPSI’s Pan-African Youth Competition is designed to amplify youth voices in this conversation, using the power of art, media, and technology to transform complex research into stories that matter.
By investing in the creativity of young Africans, the initiative goes beyond awarding prize money.
It creates space for youth leadership, new forms of expression, and evidence-based advocacy that can influence policy and philanthropy across the continent.
For more information and to apply, visit the CAPSI website.
a study covering 17 African countries.
The research examined how nonprofits are contributing to the creation of meaningful and dignified jobs for Africa’s young people, a demographic that faces both the challenges of high unemployment and the promise of innovation and resilience.
The competition provides a unique platform for African youth to turn research findings into compelling, accessible, and creative outputs that can spark conversations across the continent.
It invites dynamic teams and youth-led organisations—owned and managed by young people between the ages of 18 and 35—to take part.
Four Regions, Four Prizes
The competition is open across Africa’s four subregions: North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, and Southern Africa.
From each region, one winning proposal will be selected.
Each winning team will receive US$32,000 in funding to bring their ideas to life. In total, US$128,000 has been set aside for the competition.
The award will be released in stages: an initial US$5,000 when the prize is awarded, followed by US$27,000 disbursed in tranches linked to the development and delivery of the project.
Beyond the financial support, the competition offers winners a set of opportunities that go further.
This includes: mentorship from experts in the field, visibility on CAPSI’s platforms and across partner networks, and the chance to present their work at policy and donor forums across Africa.
Creativity at the Center
What sets this competition apart is its emphasis on creativity and youth-driven communication. CAPSI is looking for outputs that resonate with young people, using digital, visual, and cultural formats.
Suggested approaches include:
- Digital Media, such as short films, animations, or documentaries
- Visual Arts through infographics, illustrations, and photography
- Performing arts, like spoken word, dance, or music videos
- Interactive Media such as podcasts, mobile apps, games, or online storytelling platforms
- Writing through blogs, short stories, or narrative journalism
This broad scope means that young creatives and innovators can draw on their unique talents and cultural contexts to connect with audiences and bring the study’s findings into everyday conversations about work, dignity, and the nonprofit sector.
Important Dates
The call officially launched on 19 September 2025. Teams have until 15 October 2025 to submit their proposals. Winners will be announced on 31 October 2025.
Who Can Apply
The competition is open to youth-owned and managed teams or organisations, with all members aged between 18 and 35 years.
A vetting process will be conducted, and applicants will be required to submit valid identification.
Any misrepresentation of age or other false information will lead to immediate disqualification.
Preference will be given to applicants from the 17 countries that were part of the original CAPSI study.
Proposals can be submitted in English, French, Portuguese, or Arabic, ensuring accessibility across the continent.
Selection and Next Steps
After the submission deadline, shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews with the review panel.
To demonstrate both capacity and creativity, shortlisted teams will also be required to present samples of their proposed work before the final winners are selected.
Applications should be submitted through the designated online portal provided by CAPSI.
Amplifying African Youth Voices
With Africa’s youth population projected to double by 2050, the question of how to create jobs that are not only available but also meaningful and dignified has never been more urgent.
CAPSI’s Pan-African Youth Competition is designed to amplify youth voices in this conversation, using the power of art, media, and technology to transform complex research into stories that matter.
By investing in the creativity of young Africans, the initiative goes beyond awarding prize money.
It creates space for youth leadership, new forms of expression, and evidence-based advocacy that can influence policy and philanthropy across the continent.
For more information and to apply, visit the CAPSI website.
