A FOUR-YEAR European Union-funded project that seeks to co-create a more youth-responsive and inclusive society in Africa and Europe a grant initiative aimed at empowering youth-led organisations advocating for marginalised and hard-to-reach youth.

The AU-EU Youth Voices Lab - Power of the Collective‘s initiative is dubbed Youth Voices Third-Party-Funding Mechanism (YV-TPFM).

The funding opportunity, part of the AU-EU Youth Lab programme, seeks to strengthen youth participation in advocacy, coalition-building and policy engagement at national, regional and continental levels. 

A statement availed to the media yesterday stated that grants range from €1,000 to €10,000 and support initiatives that amplify youth voices, ensuring their perspectives reach policymakers, including the African Union and European Union.

Eligible applicants are youth-led organisations and groups that meet the following criteria: decision-makers aged 15-35 with at least 70 percent of staff or volunteers under 35; registered as an NGO, association or trade union.

They should be operating in one of 15 eligible countries: Belgium, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 

It stated that applicants must demonstrate experience working with marginalised or underserved communities and propose activities in one or more eligible countries.

The deadline for applications is March 3, 2025, at 23:59 EAT. Interested organisations are encouraged to review the funding manual, accessible in English, French, and Arabic, and submit their proposals via the application form.

The funding mechanism particularly targets youth-led efforts that create lasting impact, bringing together diverse voices to drive change at all levels.