The Call for Proposals for the #AUEUYouthActionLab Grants (Second Cohort) is officially LIVE!
Do you have a bold, youth-led idea that can drive change across Africa and Europe? This is your chance to receive funding, mentorship, and a platform to amplify your impact.

The AU–EU Youth Action Lab continues to be one of the most influential programmes empowering young leaders working to address global challenges—from climate action to economic inclusion and social justice. The upcoming cycle offers four fully funded grant opportunities designed to strengthen youth leadership, innovation, and collaboration across two continents.

What Is the AU–EU Youth Action Lab?

The AU–EU Youth Action Lab is a flagship initiative jointly implemented by the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU). It supports youth-led solutions and ensures young people meaningfully shape policy processes at regional and global levels.

This year’s Call for Proposals invites youth organisations from eligible African countries and all EU member states to submit bold, impactful project ideas.

Why These Are Power-Shifting Grants

The Youth Action Lab uses a youth-centered, power-shifting funding approach, grounded in:

1. Youth-Led Selection

A Youth Advisory Board evaluates and selects all proposals—ensuring that young people steer the process from start to finish.

2. Building Organisational Strength

The grants help organisations gain financial resilience, operational capacity, and long-term stability.

3. Youth-Friendly Processes

Simple, intuitive application and reporting processes remove barriers that often hinder youth-led groups from accessing funding.

Who Can Apply? – Eligible Countries

Organisations must be located and formally registered in one of the following AU Youth Action Lab focus countries:

Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia (Somaliland Region), Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

For Cooperation Grants, youth-led organisations from the European Union are also eligible.

The Four AU–EU Youth Action Lab Grants (2025)

Below is an SEO-optimized summary of each grant type, including criteria, eligible activities, and benefits.

1. Innovation Grants (EUR 30,000–40,000)

For youth-led innovations addressing global challenges

The Innovation Grants support youth organisations designing, testing, or scaling innovative solutions with long-term community impact.

Funding & Benefits

• €30,000–€40,000 grant

• Mentorship & tailored capacity development

• Access to AU–EU networking and policy influence platforms

Eligibility

• Youth-led: 18–35 (100% governance; 80%+ staff)

• Non-profit, CBO, CSO or NGO

• Formally registered with a bank account

• Project implemented in at least one eligible African country

Possible Activities

• Democratic participation tools

• Climate resilience prototypes

• Digital learning solutions

• Scaling community-based innovations

Full details here: https://aueuyouth.com/innovation-grants/

2. Entrepreneurship Grants (EUR 30,000)

For youth-led social enterprises advancing economic opportunities

These grants support responsible growth of youth-led social enterprises, especially those aligning financial sustainability with social and environmental impact.

What You Receive

• €30,000 funding

• Mentorship and capacity development

• Access to Africa–Europe policy and learning platforms

Eligibility

• Youth-led (18–35)

• Registered for at least 12 months

• Evidence of income-generating activities

• Clear social/environmental impact

Example Activities

• Developing new skills curricula

• Scaling enterprise training in rural areas

• Building youth–business networks

Full details here: https://aueuyouth.com/entrepreneurship-grants/ 

3. Representation Grants (EUR 10,000–20,000)

For grassroots and marginalised youth advocating for change

Managed by Restless Development Uganda, these grants support youth-led groups raising the voices of underrepresented and marginalised young people.

Funding

• €10,000–€20,000

• Up to 20 grants available

Ideal Applicants

• Youth-led community groups, CBOs, grassroots movements

• Working on advocacy, rights, policy influence, community mobilisation

Grant Focus

• Strengthening youth voices in national, AU, and EU policy spaces

• Coalition building and policy advocacy

• Community-level rights and wellbeing campaigns

Full details here: https://aueuyouth.com/representation-grants/

4. Cooperation Grants (EUR 50,000)

For Africa–Europe cross-continental youth partnerships

These grants support joint advocacy projects between youth-led organisations in Africa and Europe.

Funding

• €50,000 per consortium (2–4 partners)

Eligibility

• At least one African and one EU organisation

• Youth-led governance (18–35)

• Legally registered organisations

• Experience in joint project implementation

Eligible Activities

Projects may focus on:

• Cross-continental youth advocacy

• Policy and citizen engagement

• Shared research and knowledge exchange

• Climate action, social inclusion, or digital transformation

Full details here: https://aueuyouth.com/cooperation-grants/

Key Deadlines

• Innovation Grants: 7 January

• Entrepreneurship Grants: 7 January

• Representation Grants: 7 January

• Cooperation Grants: 12 February 2026

How to Apply

1. Read the Funding Manual (English, French, Portuguese)

2. Check eligibility

3. Download the Budget Template

4. Prepare a proposal individually or as a consortium

5. Submit under the correct grant window & language (cannot be changed later)

Webinars & Application Support

Live info sessions will be held in:

• November (Innovation & Entrepreneurship)

• January and February (Representation & Cooperation)

• With interpretation in English, French, Portuguese, and selected ISL sessions

Partner matchmaking workshops are available for cross-continental collaborations.

👉 Learn more and apply https://aueuyouth.com/grants/
▶️ Watch your Application Guide:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2SpdnJKiZQ&t=1s

Stay Engaged Through the Power to Voices Platform

Youth organisations are encouraged to join the official AU–EU Youth Action Lab online community to connect with partners, receive updates, and access support resources.