On 7-8 October 2026, Youthmakers Hub participated in the Social Innovation LAB: Solving SDGs Through Youth Entrepreneurship, an online co-creation workshop bringing together 80 participants from Africa and Europe.

Organised as part of the Africa-Europe Innovation Platform (AEIP), in collaboration with The Youth Cafe and Youth Ideation, Inspiration & Impact Organization (YI3), the workshop focused on addressing challenges related to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) through youth entrepreneurship and innovation.

Identifying Barriers to Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Youthmakers Hub contributed to the discussions on SDG 9, drawing attention to the barriers that prevent young people from fully participating in innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

Marilena Maragkou, representing Youthmakers Hub, shared lived experiences from Greece and Kenya, highlighting challenges faced by young people in accessing opportunities, networks, partnerships and sustainable support structures.

Her contribution focused on three key areas:

• Access to opportunities and networks: Connecting young people with relevant information, partnerships and entrepreneurship opportunities.
• Skills and capacity development: Equipping young people with the knowledge, competencies and resources needed to develop their ideas.
• Meaningful digital participation: Ensuring young people can access and benefit from digital tools and innovation ecosystems.

By bringing perspectives from both European and African contexts, Youthmakers Hub contributed to a broader discussion on how innovation ecosystems can become more accessible and inclusive.

Strengthening Youth Skills Through the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab – Power of the Collective

During the workshop, Peace Odilli presented the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab – Power of the Collective application, highlighting its role as a practical framework for strengthening young people’s skills and supporting their meaningful participation.

The app provided a practical example of how Africa-Europe cooperation can support youth skills development and create opportunities for young people to participate more actively in innovation and social change.

Connecting Perspectives Across Africa and Europe

The Social Innovation LAB created space for young entrepreneurs, innovators and stakeholders to exchange experiences, identify shared challenges and explore approaches to addressing them.

Through the contributions of Marilena Maragkou and Peace Odilli, Youthmakers Hub connected practical experiences from Greece and Kenya with broader initiatives supporting youth empowerment, skills development and cross-continental collaboration.

Youthmakers Hub remains committed to supporting inclusive innovation ecosystems and strengthening collaboration between Africa and Europe, ensuring young people have the tools and opportunities to contribute to sustainable development.