About the opportunity
The AU-EU Youth Action Lab is a transformative initiative designed to address the lack of opportunities for youth in Africa and Europe to collaborate, innovate, and drive solutions to shared challenges. Implemented by a consortium including Oxfam, Restless Development, and the European Youth Forum, the programme empowers young changemakers to lead impactful solutions. The Youth Action Lab envisions a world where young people are engaged, empowered, and connected—shaping policy, leading initiatives, and driving solutions with long-term impact. The programme builds on the voices and priorities of young people to create sustainable opportunities for action and advocacy. A Youth Advisory Board (YAB) plays a central role in steering the programme and selecting grant recipients.
Funding and benefits
- Financial support ranging from €5,000 to €50,000 per grant.
- 12-month project implementation period (January 2027 to December 2027).
- Tailored training, mentorship, and peer learning opportunities.
- Access to a digital collaboration platform for co-creation and scaling solutions.
- Opportunities to engage with decision-makers, including the African Union and European Union.
Who can apply?
- Young people and youth-led initiatives based in Africa and Europe.
- Applicants must be based in one of the 12 African focus countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia (Somaliland Region), Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe.
- Initiatives must be youth-led and address local or global challenges.
Required documents
- Project proposal (details available via the official application guide).
When to apply
- The final Call for Proposals was launched in August 2026.
- The final deadline to apply is 23 September 2026 at 13:00 Central African Time.
How to apply
- Review the grant types (Innovation Grants or Entrepreneurship Grants) on the official website.
- Consult the official application guide at https://aueuyouth.com/how-to-apply-for-au-eu-youth-action-lab-grants/.
- Submit the proposal through the official portal before the deadline.
- Note: Applicants can only apply to one grant opportunity at a time.
Additional information
- The programme is implemented by a consortium including Oxfam, Restless Development, and the European Youth Forum.
- The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is responsible for reviewing and selecting proposals.
- The programme is financially assisted by the European Commission.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Youth-led organizations based in one of the 12 specified African focus countries.
- Changemakers with a clear vision for addressing local or global challenges through innovation or entrepreneurship.
What should you think carefully about?
- Applicants are limited to one grant opportunity at a time, requiring careful selection between Innovation or Entrepreneurship tracks.
- The project implementation period is fixed for 12 months, requiring a high level of organizational commitment and reporting.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This grant provides the financial and mentorship resources necessary to scale youth-led initiatives. It is a perfect fit for young leaders who want to bridge the gap between policy and action while connecting with a broader network of African and European changemakers.
Our take
Youth-led groups in the focus countries with a well-defined project should apply. It is not suitable for individuals or organizations outside the specified regions or those unable to commit to a full year of project implementation.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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