AU-EU Youth Action Lab Grant 2026

Applications are now open for the AU-EU Youth Action Lab Grant 2026, a funding opportunity that empowers youth-led organizations across Africa and Europe to implement innovative projects, strengthen youth participation, promote entrepreneurship, and foster cross-continental cooperation.

The AU-EU Youth Action Lab is an initiative that supports young people in designing and leading solutions to local and global challenges. Through its grant programme, eligible youth-led organizations can access funding, capacity-building opportunities, networking events, and technical support to scale their impact and influence policy.

About the AU-EU Youth Action Lab

The AU-EU Youth Action Lab aims to strengthen youth leadership by shifting decision-making power and resources to young people. The programme recognizes that youth are best positioned to develop solutions to challenges affecting their communities and therefore provides financial support alongside mentorship, training, and networking opportunities.

Beyond funding, the programme connects grantees through annual learning events, peer exchanges, and digital collaboration platforms, allowing organizations to share experiences and build long-term partnerships across Africa and Europe.

Grant Categories

Applicants can apply under one of the following four grant streams.

1. Innovation Grants

Innovation Grants support youth-led organizations developing creative solutions to global and intersectional challenges.

Funding ranges between €30,000 and €42,000 for projects that design, test, improve, or scale innovative approaches addressing issues such as climate action, education, inclusion, health, or civic participation.

2. Entrepreneurship Grants

These grants support youth organizations and eligible consortiums working to strengthen economic opportunities for young people.

The 2026 call focuses on supporting the responsible growth of youth-led social enterprises with grants of up to €30,000.

3. Representation Grants

Representation Grants support grassroots organizations working with marginalized and underrepresented young people.

These grants aim to amplify youth voices, strengthen advocacy, and increase participation in decision-making processes.

4. Cooperation Grants

Cooperation Grants encourage partnerships between African and European youth-led organizations.

Consortiums consisting of at least one African and one European youth-led organization may receive grants of €50,000 to implement joint projects focused on policy engagement and cross-continental collaboration.

Grant Benefits

Successful organizations will benefit from:

• Financial support for project implementation.
• Grants ranging from approximately €10,000 to €50,000, depending on the funding category.
• Capacity-building and technical support.
• Participation in learning and networking events.
• Access to international youth networks.
• Opportunities for collaboration with youth organizations across Africa and Europe.
• Increased visibility for youth-led initiatives.
• Access to online collaboration platforms and learning resources.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility requirements vary by grant type, but applicants generally must:

• Be a youth-led organization.
• Be governed and managed primarily by young people.
• Operate as a registered non-profit organization, community-based organization (CBO), NGO, CSO, or another eligible legal entity, depending on the grant category.
• Be based in one of the eligible countries specified for the relevant grant.
• Demonstrate the capacity to manage grant funding.
• Propose a project aligned with the objectives of the selected grant category.

Eligible Countries

The programme focuses on youth organizations located in selected African countries, including:

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

Eligible Project Areas

Depending on the grant category, projects may address:

• Climate action
• Youth participation
• Civic engagement
• Entrepreneurship
• Employment
• Social enterprise
• Gender equality
• Human rights
• Education
• Digital innovation
• Peacebuilding
• Community development
• Policy advocacy
• Inclusion of marginalized youth
• Governance
• Sustainable development
• Cross-continental collaboration

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the following:

• Completed online application form.
• Organizational registration documents (where applicable).
• Project proposal.
• Detailed project budget.
• Organizational profile.
• Evidence of youth leadership.
• Partnership documentation (for consortium applications).
• Any additional documents required under the selected grant category.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

• Relevance of the proposed project.
• Innovation and creativity.
• Expected impact.
• Organizational capacity.
• Sustainability.
• Youth leadership.
• Feasibility of implementation.
• Budget quality.
• Alignment with the objectives of the selected grant stream.

How to Apply

Interested organizations should follow these steps:

1. Visit the official AU-EU Youth Action Lab grants page.
2. Review the four available grant categories.
3. Select the grant that best fits your organization and project.
4. Read the funding manual and eligibility requirements carefully.
5. Prepare the required supporting documents.
6. Complete the online application form.
7. Submit your application before the deadline for your chosen grant category.

Applicants may only submit one application under one grant category during a call for proposals.