AU-EU Youth Voices Grants 2026: Funding for Youth-Led Initiatives
Young people across Africa and Europe have a chance to turn their ideas into action with the AU-EU Youth Voices Third-Party Funding Mechanism for 2026. This program offers grants from €1,000 to €10,000. It aims to help youth-led organizations and groups carry out projects that boost youth involvement, advocacy, and community engagement.
The AU-EU Youth Voices Lab – Power of the Collective is behind this funding. It works to create societies in Africa and Europe that are more inclusive and responsive to young people’s needs. The program encourages young people to identify problems in their communities and provides resources to develop solutions and influence policy discussions. This funding opportunity is a valuable way for youth-led groups to make a lasting impact and make sure young voices are heard.
About the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab
The AU-EU Youth Voices Lab is a project focused on increasing how much young people are involved in making decisions in Africa and Europe. It believes that young people understand their own situations best and should have a key role in shaping policies and solutions that affect them. The program uses funding, advocacy support, training, and discussions to achieve several goals. 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, building cooperation between youth in Africa and Europe, and creating ways for youth-led ideas to influence policy. The Third-Party Funding Mechanism is a main tool used to reach these goals.
The Third-Party Funding Mechanism (TPFM) Explained
The Third-Party Funding Mechanism is a grant program specifically for groups led by young people. These groups work on issues that are important to youth. Instead of telling groups what to do, this program lets them find local problems and create their own solutions. The funding supports projects that focus on local youth priorities, strengthen youth participation, promote youth rights, increase accountability, encourage policy discussions, support advocacy efforts, and build stronger, more inclusive communities. Projects that receive funding are expected to help not only their local communities but also larger discussions happening at national, regional, continental, and AU-EU levels.
Grant Amounts Available
Youth-led groups that are selected can receive funding between €1,000 and €10,000. The amount given will depend on how big the project is, if it can be done, its potential impact, and how relevant it is.
Types of Activities That Can Be Funded
This program supports many different kinds of projects led by young people that aim to create positive change.
Workshops and Training Sessions
Projects that help young people improve their skills in areas like leadership, civic participation, advocacy, starting businesses, or engaging with their communities are eligible.
Youth-Led Research
Initiatives that produce information and evidence about issues affecting young people and contribute to policy discussions can be funded.
Advocacy Campaigns
Activities designed to influence people in power and promote policies and changes that focus on youth are supported.
Public Events and Discussions
This includes community meetings, consultations, and forums that bring together young people and other interested parties.
Community Consultations
Projects that gather the opinions of young people and improve their involvement in decision-making processes are eligible.
Publications and Reports
The development of assessments, policy suggestions, reports, and research findings can receive funding.
Digital and Printed Awareness Materials
Communication tools, whether online or in print, that aim to inform, educate, and encourage young people to get involved are supported.
Accountability and Participation Projects
Projects that work to improve openness, good governance, accountability, and civic engagement can be funded.
Priority Themes for Funding
The program welcomes projects that address a wide range of topics important to young people. These include youth participation, youth rights, accountability and governance, policy dialogue, social inclusion, gender equality, climate action, education, jobs and livelihoods, peacebuilding, civic engagement, community development, and youth empowerment. The program is designed to be flexible so that young people can propose solutions that fit their specific local situations.
Who Can Apply for These Grants?
This funding opportunity is open to groups and organizations led by young people who work with and for individuals between the ages of 15 and 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 applicants working within these countries can apply.
What Makes an Application Strong?
The program looks for youth-led groups that show they have good connections within their communities. They should clearly understand local challenges and have practical, achievable project ideas. A commitment to youth involvement, inclusive methods, ethical and safe project execution, and the potential for real impact are also important. Applications need to clearly explain the problem being addressed, why it’s important, who will benefit, the planned activities, what results are expected, and how the budget will be used.
The Selection Process Explained
The AU-EU Youth Voices Third-Party Funding Mechanism uses a clear process to select grant recipients.
Step 1: Call for Proposals
A public announcement is made, detailing who can apply, what types of projects are prioritized, what documents are needed, and the deadlines.
Step 2: Application Submission
Youth-led groups submit their project ideas and requests for funding.
Step 3: Review Process
Applications are reviewed based on how relevant they are, their potential community impact, if they are feasible, their originality, how well they match the program’s goals, and the organization’s ability to carry out the project.
Step 4: Additional Verification
Groups that are shortlisted may go through further checks. These checks look at their management structure, safety policies, financial handling, and their capacity to carry out the project.
Step 5: Grant Agreement
Successful applicants will sign an agreement that outlines their responsibilities, how they need to report on progress, the budget, and the timeline for their project.
Step 6: Project Implementation
Selected groups will then carry out their planned activities in their communities.
Step 7: Ongoing Support
Grantees might receive help such as coaching, technical advice, support with reporting, communication assistance, and opportunities for learning and reflection.
Step 8: Sharing Results
Grantees are asked to document their achievements, what they learned, and stories about the impact of their projects.
The 2026 Funding Cycle
The second round of the Third-Party Funding Mechanism began on June 8, 2026. This cycle aims to help youth-led organizations complete projects that improve youth participation, empowerment, and advocacy.
Applicant Support Webinar
To assist applicants in creating strong proposals, an online webinar will be held on June 19, 2026. This webinar will offer guidance on applications, information about the funding, clarifications on eligibility, and time for questions. It’s highly recommended that interested applicants attend.
Why Apply for These Grants?
This opportunity offers more than just financial help. Groups that are chosen will gain increased visibility for their work. They will also have chances to influence policy discussions and connect with wider AU-EU youth networks. The program provides support for building skills, mentorship, and guidance. It offers recognition for youth leaders who are driving change. For organizations dedicated to making 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 East Africa Time (EAT). Applicants should read the Funding Manual carefully before applying and submit their proposals well before the deadline.
How to Submit Your Application
Interested youth-led groups should first review the Funding Manual. Then, they need to confirm they meet the eligibility requirements. After that, they should develop a strong project proposal. Finally, they must complete the Online Application Form and submit all necessary 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 2026?
It’s a funding program that provides grants between €1,000 and €10,000 to youth-led organizations and groups in Africa and Europe to support their projects.
What kind of projects can receive funding?
The program funds projects like workshops, training, youth-led research, advocacy campaigns, public events, community consultations, publications, awareness materials, and accountability initiatives.
Who is eligible to apply for these grants?
Youth-led groups and organizations working with individuals aged 15-35 are eligible, provided they are based in one of the specified African or European countries.
When is the deadline to apply for the 2026 grants?
The deadline to submit applications is June 29, 2026, at 11:59 PM East Africa Time (EAT).
