AU-EU Youth Action Lab Grants 2026: Funding for Youth-Led Initiatives in Africa and Europe
The AU-EU Youth Action Lab provides funding for youth-led initiatives in selected African countries to address global challenges and support young entrepreneurs. Eligible organizations can apply for 12-month grants running through 2027.
Overview
The AU-EU Youth Action Lab is running its final Call for Proposals to offer financial support and capacity-building to youth-led initiatives. The programme aims to strengthen cooperation between young people in Africa and Europe by helping them implement innovative solutions and advocacy efforts in their communities.
For this final cohort, applicants can choose between two primary grant categories:
- Innovation Grants: Designed to support youth initiatives designing, testing, or scaling innovations connected to global challenges.
- Entrepreneurship Grants: Designed to support initiatives advocating for an enabling environment for young entrepreneurs.
Successful projects will receive funding for a 12-month implementation period spanning from January 2027 to December 2027. Applicants are restricted to applying for only one grant opportunity at a time.
Eligibility
The final call is open exclusively to eligible youth-led initiatives located within specific African countries:
- Ethiopia
- Kenya
- Mozambique
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia (Somaliland Region)
- Tanzania
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Benefits
Selected youth initiatives will benefit from a structured funding approach that includes the following advantages:
- Financial resources to execute a 12-month project between January and December 2027.
- Support targeting organizational stability, resilience, financial security, and overall capacity.
- Opportunities to connect and share experiences with peers across Africa and Europe.
- A decentralized decision-making process involving a Youth Advisory Board to review and select proposals.
How to Apply
Applicants must carefully review the official documentation to determine the appropriate grant stream for their project. Submissions should clearly demonstrate youth leadership, address a relevant community challenge, and present a realistic plan for the 12-month grant timeline. Prospective applicants can utilize the official application guide for detailed submission instructions.
Deadline
Applications must be submitted by 23 September 2026 at 13:00 Central African Time (CAT). Prospective applicants should complete and submit their proposals ahead of time.