UNDP Africa Create4Peace Youth Online Innovation Challenge 2026 for young African creatives (Fully Funded to the Culture and Creative Industries Festival in Cameroon)

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Application Deadline: July 2nd, 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 UNDP Africa Create4Peace Youth Online Innovation Challenge. The challenge aims to support young Africans who are using culture and creativity as tools to promote social cohesion, dialogue, and peacebuilding. Creatives4Peace welcomes submissions from young creatives across Africa whose artistic work demonstrates how culture and creative expression can bridge divides, foster tolerance, and contribute to more inclusive and peaceful societies.  

Submissions may take any artistic form, as long as it can be shared digitally/online. Selected participants will receive visibility and support, as well as the opportunity to showcase their work at the Culture and Creative Industries Festival in Cameroon.

Culture & Creative Industry Areas

Performing Arts

Projects centered on live or recorded artistic expression, including music, short films, dance, theater, spoken word, poetry, storytelling, and performance-based productions.  

Gaming 

Projects involving digital or physical games, board games, mobile games, video games, simulations, puzzles, interactive learning tools, and gamified experiences.  

Digital Art

Projects using digital technologies to create visual, audiovisual, or interactive content, including graphic design, illustration, animation, photography, videography, digital storytelling, and multimedia production.  

Fashion

Projects involving clothing, textiles, accessories, wearable design, costume design, sustainable fashion, upcycling, or fashion-related creative enterprises.  

Craft and Artisan

Projects focused on handmade products, traditional/indigenous craftsmanship, artisan production, painting, design, woodworking, ceramics, jewelry, weaving, textiles, and other forms of creative making.  

Benefits

Selected/Winner Candidates:

• Three selected candidates will receive a notification to present their work at the Culture and Creative Industries Festival in Cameroon (flights + DSA covered by UNDP) in September, along with: 
• The chance to network with fellow young creatives from across the continent and diaspora, gain visibility and opportunities for further support their work. 
• The opportunity to pitch their work to private sector partners for potential collaboration or investment. 

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the UNDP Africa Create4Peace Youth Online Innovation Challenge