30 Jun Africa Youth Month 2026: Empowering Youth-Led Advocacy for Domestic Resource Mobilisation for HIV Through the Africa REACH National Grants Programme.
June marks Africa Youth Month, a time to celebrate the resilience, innovation, and leadership of young people across the continent. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the future we are collectively working towards an Africa where every young person can access quality healthcare without financial barriers, where HIV prevention and treatment services are responsive to the needs of young people, and where sustainable domestic investment strengthens health systems for generations to come.
Through its National Grants Programme, Africa REACH is proud to support youth-led advocacy and community-driven solutions that place young people at the centre of the HIV response. The current Phase III cohort brings together six sub-grantees from Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, all working to advance advocacy for sustained domestic financing for HIV. Through equipping young people with knowledge, platforms and opportunities to engage decision-makers, these initiatives are helping to build a more sustainable and accountable HIV response across Africa.
As Africa Youth Month comes to a close, we highlight just a few of the inspiring youth-led activities undertaken by some our grantees.
Technology for Inspiration Initiative (InspireIT) – Nigeria
As part of its youth engagement efforts, Technology for Inspiration Initiative (InspireIT) convened a national advocacy campaign that brought together students to strengthen awareness of health insurance, access to HIV services, and the importance of sustained domestic financing for HIV. The engagement encouraged young people to become active advocates within their own communities, with student leaders committing to champion peer awareness and promote greater participation in health initiatives. Empowering young voices, the campaign reinforced the critical role that youth play in shaping a sustainable HIV response.
Tanzania Youth Gender Empowerment Organization (TAYGEO) -Tanzania
Tanzania Youth Gender Empowerment Organization (TAYGEO) brought together young people, community leaders, civil society organisations, healthcare professionals and advocates to strengthen community participation in the country’s HIV response. Through dialogue and capacity-building, the initiative promoted accountability and reinforced the importance of youth-led advocacy for sustainable domestic financing for HIV. In fostering collaboration across sectors, the engagement highlighted the value of community voices in shaping resilient health systems and ensuring equitable access to HIV services.
The Ability in Disability (TAD) – Zimbabwe
In Zimbabwe, The Ability in Disability (TAD) focused on strengthening the leadership of young advocates, including young people with disabilities, through capacity-building on HIV financing, accountability and community advocacy. Participants were equipped with practical advocacy skills and supported to contribute to a youth-led HIV Financing Accountability Scorecard; a tool designed to capture community experiences, identify gaps in HIV financing and service delivery, and generate evidence to inform policy engagement. The initiative reflects the importance of ensuring that all young people have the opportunity to influence decisions that affect their health and wellbeing.
Looking Ahead
As Africa Youth Month comes to an end, these initiatives serve as a powerful reminder that young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but they are also driving change today. Across communities, they are advocating for stronger health systems, greater accountability and sustainable investment in HIV programmes that leave no one behind. Africa REACH remains committed to supporting youth-led leadership and advocacy through the National Grants Programme, helping to ensure that young people continue to shape a healthier, more equitable future for Africa.