The AU-EU Youth Action Lab provides the opportunity for youth initiatives in Africa and Europe to submit proposals to apply for funding to implement your own ideas and solutions linked to global challenges!

General Call for Proposals

The ambition is to support how young people link up across and between the African and European continents. To link youth initiatives to their peers to share, learn and collaborate, and to bring your voices and solutions to policy-makers at different levels, including the European Union and African Union!

The coming 3 years, the Youth Action Lab will launch various call for proposals campaigns inviting youth in their diversity to apply. Eligible countries are Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe and countries part of the European Union.

The Youth Action Lab has 4 different grant types – each with a different focus, but all with a similar ambition: as youth initiative you are supported in a powershifting way!

Why do we call it powershifting grants? Because of 3 reasons!

Nothing about youth without youth

A Youth Advisory Board of the Youth Action Lab will review and select the proposals to receive funding.

Capacity building

We strive for capacity building that facilitate and nurture stability, resilience, financial security and organisational capacity.

Application & Reporting

Simplified application and reporting mechanisms that makes sense to youth initiatives.

The Youth Action Lab has 4 different grants types:

Each grant will last for a period of 12 or 15 months maximum depending on the grant type.

Please note – you can only apply to one grant opportunity at a time!

Link to: Innovation Grants

INNOVATION GRANTS

To support youth initiatives that want to design, test and/or scale innovations that are linked to global challenges.

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP GRANTS

To support youth initiatives working on entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.

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REPRESENTATION GRANTS

To support young people that face marginalisation and work at the grassroots to raise and amplify their voices at different levels.

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COOPERATION GRANTS

To support young people from Africa and Europe to collaborate together on joint advocacy initiatives.

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Consortium partners

FAQ

APPLICATION PROCESS

On the ON Grip platform only.

No, unfortunately you cannot revise or modify your application once it has been submitted to the online platform.

No, you can only submit your application in one language. You can choose one of the following languages for the Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Representation Grants: English, French and Portuguese. Cooperation Grants are to be submitted in English only.

We will organise an online session before close of applications. We will provide clarity, take questions and provide support and tips on how to write an application. Be on the lookout for the specific dates of each of your grant type on the

No, please apply to only one grant scheme with one project.

No, we will not accept applications once the deadline is passed, but there will be other grant opportunities in the next 3 years. Keep an eye on the Youth Lab website to stay updated!

Yes, if your application was not successful, you can apply again on the next call for proposal. Please look out for our next opportunities on the Youth Lab website and social channels.

No, there is no matching fund nor co-funding obligations.

  • What are the evaluation criteria of my application?
  • As these are powershifting funds co-designed by young people for young people, the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) holds decision-making power in the selection process. The process includes the following steps:
  • Applications will be screened first based on eligibility criteria-both the hard and soft eligibility tests. This screening will take up to one week, with a possible extension depending on the number of applications received.
  • During the longlisting and shortlisting process, the applicants are grouped according to eligibility countries – this is done to ensure that there will be equitable representation across the 12 eligible African countries and European Union member states.
  • A detailed assessment will be administered on all the shortlisted applicants by the YAB and these will be scored and ranked. (The YAB will use an Assessment Tool co-designed for this process)
  • A Due Diligence and an organisational capacity assessment will be conducted to verify applicants’ governance and accounting protocols.
  • The highest-scoring proposals will be notified and selected applicants will be asked to complete forms and provide additional details for contracting.
  • Where applicable, site-visits may be undertaken as part of the assessment process to ensure that applicants have minimum governance and accounting protocols and/or to review existing programming. The consortium partners will collaborate with its various country offices for this including on ground support by the YAB members.

This depends on the grant type you are applying to. In general, the selection process should take 6 weeks after the Call for Proposals closes. Make sure to check the relevant grant type on the website to stay updated.

Upon request.

PAYMENT OF THE GRANT

No, it is not needed to have a specific bank account.  All payments should be made and to your organisation bank account.

 

The grant will be transferred in EUR.

The grant will be provided in separate payments (usually in two instalments). The first instalment (60% of your total approved grant) will be transferred after signing the grant agreement including all annexures. The second instalment (40% of your grant) is due after the approval of one mid-term progress report, including meeting all required milestones. Be aware that the definition of the instalment payments will be set at the time of contract agreement once your project has been approved.

REPORTING

The frequency of reporting and required documentation will be detailed in the reporting guidelines, which are provided to all grantees, and we will guide you through all the necessary steps during the kickoff meeting. Additionally, we are committed to supporting you throughout the project trajectory, ensuring you have the resources and guidance you need to meet all reporting and documentation requirements.

  • Costs during the project period (while the project is running).
  • Costs listed in the project budget (the plan you submitted).
  • Necessary, clear, and proven costs (following tax and legal rules).
  • Reasonable and justified costs (ensuring good use of funds and efficiency).

Please refer to each funding manuals for specificity.

  • Expenses outside the project timeline (anything before or after the project).
  • Costs not related to the project (like unrelated activities).
  • Buying land, buildings and vehicles
  • In-kind contributions

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This website has been prepared with the financial assistance of the European Commission. The views expressed herein are those of the consultants and therefore in no way reflects the official opinion of the European Commission.

Newsletter

Sign up to know about the programme’s opportunities and events.

Stay connected

Follow us and get involved!

This website has been prepared with the financial assistance of the European Commission. The views expressed herein are those of the consultants and therefore in no way reflects the official opinion of the European Commission.

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