Call for Proposals: AU-EU Youth Lab Innovation Grants

Deadline: 23-Sep-2026

The AU-EU Youth Lab Innovation Grants provide €42,000 per organisation to youth-led non-profit organisations in 12 eligible African countries to implement innovative solutions addressing global challenges in their communities. Selected organisations also receive mentorship, tailored capacity development, and opportunities to share their innovations with stakeholders across Africa and Europe. What Are the AU-EU Youth Lab Innovation Grants? The AU-EU Youth Lab Innovation Grants support youth-led organisations developing creative and practical solutions to pressing social and global challenges. The programme focuses on innovations that can create tangible community impact, strengthen systems or policies, and continue delivering benefits after the grant period ends. Supported organisations can use the funding to implement innovations that are being designed, tested, adapted, scaled, or improved. The programme combines financial support with mentoring and organisational capacity development to help youth-led organisations strengthen and expand their solutions. How Much Funding Is Available?

Each selected organisation will receive:

Grant amount: €42,000

Mentorship: Tailored guidance to support implementation

Capacity development: Support designed around the organisation’s needs

Peer learning: Opportunities to share solutions with other organisations

Networking: Engagement with decision-makers and stakeholders across Africa and Europe

The grant is intended to help organisations move innovative ideas into practical implementation and strengthen their potential for longer-term impact. What Types of Projects Are Supported? The programme is intended for innovative projects that address pressing global challenges at the community level. The organisation must have a clear social mission and operate on a non-profit basis. Youth-Led Organisation Requirement A key eligibility condition is that organisations must genuinely be youth-led. Young people aged 18 to 35 must hold governance and decision-making roles within the organisation. In addition, all project staff must be between 18 and 35 years old. Applicants should therefore be able to demonstrate that young people are not simply beneficiaries of the project but are actively responsible for its leadership, management, and implementation. Why the AU-EU Youth Lab Matters Young people play an important role in developing solutions to social, economic, environmental, and community challenges across Africa. However, youth-led organisations can face barriers such as limited access to funding, technical expertise, networks, and institutional support. The AU-EU Youth Lab addresses these barriers by combining: Direct innovation funding Mentorship Capacity development Peer learning Regional networking Engagement with policymakers and decision-makers The programme also encourages innovations that can continue beyond the initial grant, creating opportunities for long-term sustainability, replication, and systems change. How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Organisational Eligibility

Before preparing the proposal, confirm that your organisation: Is legally registered in one of the 12 eligible countries. Is a non-profit organisation. Has a clear social mission. Is youth-led. Has people aged 18–35 in governance and decision-making positions. Can ensure that all project staff are aged 18–35.

Step 2: Identify the Community Challenge

Clearly define the problem your organisation wants to address.

Explain:

Who is affected? Where does the problem occur? Why does it matter? What evidence demonstrates the need for action? Why are existing approaches insufficient? A clearly defined problem provides the foundation for a strong innovation proposal.

Step 3: Present Your Innovation

Describe the proposed solution in practical terms.

Explain:

What the innovation is How it works Who will benefit What makes it different Whether it has already been tested How it will be implemented or improved If the innovation has already been tested, provide evidence of results and explain how the grant will help take it to the next stage.

Step 4: Demonstrate Local Impact

Show how the project will create tangible benefits for young people and communities. Applicants should identify measurable results rather than relying only on broad statements about social impact.

Step 5: Explain Long-Term Potential

The programme looks beyond short-term project delivery.

Explain how the innovation could:

Continue after the grant Be replicated elsewhere Be scaled to reach more people Influence systems Contribute to policy change Attract additional resources or partnerships

Step 6: Prepare for Mentorship and Capacity Development

Successful applicants will receive more than financial support. Be prepared to participate in mentorship, capacity development, peer learning, and knowledge-sharing activities as part of the programme. Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should:

Make the innovation clear: Explain exactly what is innovative about your approach.

Use evidence: Support the identified problem and proposed solution with relevant data or experience.

Focus on youth leadership: Demonstrate meaningful youth participation in governance and implementation.

Show measurable impact: Identify specific changes the project expects to achieve.

Think beyond the grant: Explain how the innovation can become sustainable.

Demonstrate scalability: Show whether and how the model could be replicated in other communities.

Connect innovation with systems change: Explain whether your work can influence institutions, policies, or wider practices.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Applying when the organisation is not legally registered in an eligible country. Describing young people only as beneficiaries rather than decision-makers. Including project staff who fall outside the required age range. Presenting a conventional project without explaining its innovative element. Focusing entirely on short-term