The Africa-Europe Challenge (AEC) project rests on 4 main pillars:

I.        First Yacht Rally around Africa

II.        Connecting  Events Series

- Cultural Event Series

- AEC Business Forum series

III.        The „Future Without Distance” (FWD) Student Program

IV.        Africa-Europe Challenge Environmental Research and Education Programme (AEC-EREP)

AEC General Description, Main Goals

The aim of Africa-Europe Challenge (AEC) is to strengthen a new form of cooperation between Europe and Africa which is based on the equality of the engaging parties and their common economic, political and cultural interests. The yacht rally event series – running for a period of 1 year – and the publicity it receives provide a unique opportunity for the people of Europe and Africa to gain a deeper understanding of each others’ cultures. 

Every coastal African country can host a station of the yacht rally. This is a great opportunity for the states to communicate a message through public channels to the European public and the world. They can present the beauties and appeals of their country and discuss problems that need to be resolved.

The specific goals of the Africa-Europe Challenge are:

• promoting dialogue between African and European cultures;
• drawing the attention of Europe and the world to Africa throughout the duration of the event;
• to show the countries of Africa, their beauties, opportunities and problems;
• mediating Europe’s message to African countries and the messages of African countries to Europe;
• call the World's attention to the importance of peace and security in Africa,
• contribute to the development of Africa by all the Project's means,
• helping the new member states of the EU to gain a better understanding of Africa;
• gathering intentions geared towards cooperation (intellectual, material or financial) forming between Africa and Europe on the ground of common interests;
• leaders of local delegations of the European Commission will have the opportunity to present the activities they undertake in the given region (such as developments and humanitarian programmes);
• to have developing contacts that are beneficial for both parties on the long run (such as tourism);
• exploiting the friendship formation impetus of sports and yachting for implementing the above-listed goals.

We also intend to invite internationally acknowledged people from political, economic and cultural life who are committed to building relations with Africa to take part in the Africa-Europe Challenge. Their personal presence would represent guarantees for implementing the above-specified objectives.