AU-EU Youth Voices Grants Offer Up to €10,000 for Youth-Led Projects
Young people in Africa and Europe have a new chance to bring their ideas to life through the AU-EU Youth Voices Third-Party Funding Mechanism for 2026. This program offers grants from €1,000 to €10,000 to support projects that aim to increase youth involvement, advocacy, and community engagement. It’s part of a larger initiative called the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab, which works to create societies that are more responsive to young people’s needs.
The funding mechanism is designed to help youth-led groups identify local issues and develop their own solutions. These projects can have a regional, continental, or even cross-continental impact. The goal is to give young people the resources they need to make a difference and have their voices heard in important discussions.
About the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab
The AU-EU Youth Voices Lab is a project focused on improving how young people participate in decision-making across Africa and Europe. It believes that young people understand their own situations best and should be key players in shaping policies and solutions that affect them. The program uses funding, advocacy support, training, and dialogue to achieve several aims. These include strengthening youth leadership, promoting youth involvement in government, giving a voice to young people who are often overlooked, encouraging accountability and civic action, and building connections between youth in Africa and Europe. The Third-Party Funding Mechanism is a main way the lab works to achieve these goals.
What is the Third-Party Funding Mechanism?
The Third-Party Funding Mechanism (TPFM) is a grant program specifically for groups and organizations led by young people. These groups work on issues that are important to youth. Instead of telling groups what to do, the TPFM lets them find local problems and create their own community-based answers. The funding helps projects that focus on local youth priorities, promote youth rights, increase accountability, and support policy discussions. Projects are expected to help their local communities and also contribute to larger conversations happening at national, regional, continental, and AU-EU levels.
Grant Amounts Available
Youth-led groups can receive grants ranging from a minimum of €1,000 to a maximum of €10,000. The amount given will depend on how big the project is, how likely it is to succeed, its potential impact, and how relevant it is to the program’s goals.
Types of Projects That Can Be Funded
The program supports many different kinds of activities led by young people that aim to create positive change. These include:
Workshops and Training
Projects that help young people improve their skills in areas like leadership, civic participation, advocacy, starting businesses, or engaging with their communities.
Youth-Led Research
Research projects that gather information about issues affecting young people and help inform policy discussions.
Advocacy Campaigns
Activities designed to influence people in power and support policies and changes that benefit young people.
Public Events and Dialogues
Community meetings, discussions, and platforms that bring young people and other stakeholders together.
Community Consultations
Projects that gather the ideas of young people and improve their involvement in decision-making processes.
Publications and Reports
Creating assessments, policy suggestions, reports, and research findings.
Digital and Printed Awareness Materials
Creating materials like brochures, social media content, or videos to inform, educate, and encourage young people.
Accountability and Participation Initiatives
Projects that help make government and organizations more open, improve how they are run, and increase civic engagement.
Priority Themes for Funding
The funding mechanism is open to projects that address many different issues important to young people. These include:
- Youth participation
- Youth rights
- Accountability and governance
- Policy discussions
- Social inclusion
- Gender equality
- Climate justice
- Education
- Jobs and livelihoods
- Peacebuilding
- Civic engagement
- Community development
- Youth empowerment
The program is designed to be flexible so young people can propose solutions that fit their specific local situations.
Who Can Apply for Funding?
This funding opportunity is for groups and organizations led by young people who work with and for individuals aged 15 to 35. Applicants must be based in one of the countries where the program operates.
Eligible Countries in Europe
- Belgium
Eligible Countries in Africa
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- South Sudan
- Tanzania
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Only applications from groups working within these countries can be considered.
What Makes a Strong Application?
The program looks for youth-led groups that show:
- Strong connections within their communities.
- A clear understanding of local problems.
- Project ideas that are practical and can be carried out.
- A commitment to involving young people.
- Approaches that include everyone.
- Plans for carrying out projects ethically and safely.
- The potential to create a real impact.
Applications should clearly explain:
- The problem the project aims to solve.
- Why this problem is important.
- Who will benefit from the project.
- What activities will be done.
- What results are expected.
- How the money will be spent.
How the Selection Process Works
The AU-EU Youth Voices Third-Party Funding Mechanism has a clear process for choosing who gets funding.
Step 1: Call for Proposals
A public announcement is made, explaining who can apply, what kinds of projects are preferred, what documents are needed, and the deadlines.
Step 2: Application Submission
Youth-led groups send in their project ideas and requests for funding.
Step 3: Review Process
Applications are reviewed based on:
- How relevant they are to the program’s goals.
- Their potential impact on the community.
- How practical they are.
- How new or creative they are.
- How well they match the program’s objectives.
- The group’s ability to manage the project.
Step 4: Additional Verification
Groups that are shortlisted may go through more checks. These might include looking at their leadership, safety practices, financial management, and ability to carry out the project.
Step 5: Grant Agreement
Groups that are chosen will sign an agreement. This document outlines what they need to do, how they need to report on their progress, the budget, and the timeline for the project.
Step 6: Project Implementation
The selected groups will carry out their planned activities in their communities.
Step 7: Ongoing Support
Grantees might get help with things like:
- Coaching and advice.
- Technical guidance.
- Help with reporting.
- Support for communication.
- Opportunities to learn and reflect on their work.
Step 8: Sharing Results
Grantees will document what they have achieved, what they have learned, and stories about the impact of their projects.
The 2026 Funding Cycle
The second round of the Third-Party Funding Mechanism started on June 8, 2026. This cycle aims to help youth-led organizations carry out projects that improve youth participation, empowerment, and advocacy.
Applicant Support Webinar
To help applicants create strong proposals, an online webinar will be held on June 19, 2026. The webinar will offer guidance on how to apply, information about the funding, clarification on who can apply, and a chance to ask questions. It will also provide tips for developing project proposals. All interested applicants are strongly encouraged to attend.
Why You Should Apply
This opportunity offers more than just money. Successful applicants will also gain:
- Funding to put their youth-led ideas into action.
- More visibility for their work.
- Chances to participate in policy discussions.
- Access to wider AU-EU youth networks.
- Support to build their skills and capacity.
- Mentorship and guidance.
- Opportunities to make youth voices louder.
- Recognition as youth leaders who are driving change.
For organizations that want to make a real difference for young people, the AU-EU Youth Voices Third-Party Funding Mechanism provides a strong way to turn ideas into action.
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply is June 29, 2026, at 11:59 PM EAT. Applicants should read the Funding Manual carefully before applying and submit their proposals well before the deadline.
How to Apply
Interested youth-led groups should:
- Read the Funding Manual.
- Check if they meet the eligibility requirements.
- Develop a strong project proposal.
- Complete the Online Application Form.
- Submit all required information before the deadline.
For any questions, applicants can contact: [email protected].
More information about the AU-EU Youth Voices Grants 2026 can be found by clicking HERE.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AU-EU Youth Voices Grants program?
It’s a funding opportunity for youth-led groups in Africa and Europe to support projects that increase youth involvement, advocacy, and community engagement, offering grants from €1,000 to €10,000.
Who can apply for these grants?
Youth-led groups working with and for individuals aged 15 to 35, based in eligible countries in Africa and Europe, can apply.
What types of projects are funded?
The program funds workshops, training, research, advocacy campaigns, public events, community consultations, publications, awareness materials, and accountability initiatives.
When is the deadline to apply for the 2026 grants?
The deadline to submit applications is June 29, 2026, at 11:59 PM EAT.
