Thematic challenges
Addressing societal challenges through innovation and cooperation between Africa and Europe!
What are Thematic Challenges?
Building on the concept of open innovation challenges, the Africa-Europe Innovation Platform (AEIP) organises Thematic Challenges (TCs) that bring together different types of innovators from Africa and Europe to collaborate on solving a pre-defined problem of societal relevance.
About Thematic Challenges
Different societal challenges will be addressed by participants. People from all different backgrounds are encouraged to join: from start-ups, to students, to larger companies and corporates, to policy makers, to anyone else interested in open and collaborative innovation. The programme is an opportunity for collaboration and co-creation for these stakeholders.
approach
Across the project duration of the AEIP, three rounds of Thematic Challenge programming is planned (see more information under timeline). Each Thematic Challenge will address a different topic aligned with the AU-EU Innovation Agenda.
For whom is it?
The Thematic Challenges aim to bring together all types stakeholders along the innovation value chain. Whether you’re a start-up trying to launch an innovation, a researcher with new ideas, a policy maker or corporate that wants to foster problem-solving, Thematic Challenges aim to foster an inclusive innovation ecosystem. We particularly encourage women and youth to express their interest!
Most important is your commitment to innovation and partnerships!
Why join?
- You can address key societal challenges – whether climate change, public health outbreaks, digitalisation – through innovation and international cooperation!
- Increase your network and connections in the Africa-Europe R&I ecosystem – widen perspectives, learn from each other, and potentially find and create new opportunities for each other!
- Embed yourself into the Africa-Europe Innovation Platform and find further opportunities such as Communities of Practise, capacity building opportunities, events, and more, to drive innovation forward!
- Access support and networks to access more funding opportunities to scale up your solution!
- Selected participating teams who work on innovative solutions will also be invited and sponsored to attend the next AEIP Stakeholder Meeting in 2026!
- Promote your entity, whether start up, university, advocacy group, company, etc.
What’s the current Thematic Challenge on?
The second of a series of TCs to be launched in this framework will focus on the Public Health: How to improve equitable access to health technologies through vaccines and medicines manufacturing, local production capacity and value-chain development; strengthen health systems and community-level care; deploy digital tools, data and AI for health solutions; advance research on priority health areas and diseases; and enhance health security, resilience and preparedness for future health threats. The first Thematic Challenge on the Green Transition has now finished.
Future Thematic Challenges will be aligned with other priority areas of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda (Innovation and Technology or Capacities for Science).
How does it work?
A call will be launched for interested participants to join the Thematic Challenges. The AEIP team will pair or group these participants together ensuring complementary and relevance of the partners across stakeholder groups and regions.
These groups will work together on a pre-defined problem statement, to which a market-oriented innovative solution needs to be developed.
Through a process of brainstorming and ideation, the groups will propose an innovative solution which will be assessed on its feasibility and scalability.
Winning teams will be invited to the next AEIP Stakeholder Meeting in October 2026.
Timeline of the second Thematic Challenge
May-Jun 2026:
- Launch of TC on public health (deadline 19 Jun 2026)
Jul 2026:
- Participant selection and pairing
2. Onboarding call
3. Innovation solutions are being prepared
Aug 2026:
- Submission of innovative solutions
- Winner announcenment
- Preparation for travel to October event
Oct 2026:
- Winners of the TC #1 on the Green
- Transition and TC #2 on Public
- Health meet at the Stakeholder Meeting
Thematic Challenge on the Green Transition
Winning matches & innovative solutions
Zambia · Youth-led cooperative / organisation
Entrepreneurship, leadership development, skills training, climate action, and youth empowerment in education and agriculture.
Belgium · Social business / SME
Co-learning and co-creation for food systems change, with adaptive learning, systems approaches and innovation bundling.
PROPOSED INNOVATION
Co-learning hub for youth-driven green transitions
A co-learning-in-action hub that supports youth, especially young women, to become green entrepreneurs and leaders in food-system transitions. It combines learning profiles, two-way mentorships and practical co-learning circles to help youth initiatives develop into sustainable green businesses.
Uganda · Civil society
Community mobilisation, youth and women groups, recycling networks and local stakeholder engagement in Arua City.
Spain · Start-up / SME
Digital fabrication, 3D printing, material innovation and sustainable construction applications.
PROPOSED INNOVATION
Circular Arua — from plastic waste to value
The solution transforms plastic waste from Arua into market-ready products, starting with recycled-plastic furniture such as desks, chairs and small tables for local institutions. It combines local waste collection, green entrepreneurship, 3D printing and digital fabrication to develop future construction materials while creating jobs for youth and women in refugee-hosting communities.
Rwanda · Business support organisation
Community mobilisation, youth and women groups, recycling networks and local stakeholder engagement in Arua City.
France · Business support organisation
Impact structuring, monitoring and evaluation, and capital-readiness support for women-led climate and social enterprises.
PROPOSED INNOVATION
Digitally connected circular agritech production system
A digitally connected circular agritech system that collects local organic waste and turns it into affordable bio-based agricultural inputs for smallholder farmers. It uses modular production, smart waste collection, cooperative distribution and a digital platform, with women leading key roles across the value chain in displacement-affected communities.
Questions?
Reach out to [email protected]!