Innovation Grants

Who can apply

• Non-profit organisations
• Trusts
• Community Based Organisations (CBOs)
• Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
• Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
• Formally registered youth-led organisations

Focus areas

• Youth-led innovation
• Global challenges
• Climate change
• Youth participation in decision-making
• Social innovation
• Community development
• Systems change
• Policy and practice change
• Sustainable development
• Intersectional youth inclusion
• Gender
• Disability inclusion
• Youth empowerment
• Knowledge sharing

Requirements

• The applicant must be a non-profit with a clear social mission.
• The organisation must be youth-led, with 100% of governance and primary decision-making held by people aged 18–35.
• More than 80% of people directly involved in designing and carrying out organisational activities must be aged 18–35.
• All staff working on implementation of the proposed project must be aged 18–35.
• The organisation must be formally registered in its country.
• The organisation must have an organisational bank account and clear governance structure.
• The organisation must be located and registered in one of the 12 eligible African focus countries.
• The proposed activity must take place in one or more of the 12 eligible countries.
• The proposal must address a global challenge and demonstrate an innovative approach.
• The innovation may involve designing, testing, adapting, scaling or improving an activity, approach, campaign or collaboration.

Application steps

• Review the AU–EU Youth Action Lab Innovation Grants requirements and Funding Manual.
• Confirm that the organisation meets all eligibility requirements.
• Develop an innovative project addressing a global challenge in an eligible country.
• Prepare the proposal as an individual organisation.
• Complete the application through the official online application platform.
• Submit the application by 23 September 2026 at 13:00 Central African Time.