GRANTS

AU-EU YOUTH VOICES THIRD-PARTY-FUNDING MECHANISM

AU-EU Youth Voices Third-Party-Funding Mechanism

Funding youth-led ideas for stronger communities

The AU-EU Youth Voices Third-Party Funding Mechanism supports youth-led groups to turn their ideas into action. Through the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab – Power of the Collective, selected youth-led groups can receive grants from EUR 1,000 to EUR 10,000 to carry out activities that address the needs of young people in their communities and contribute to broader youth advocacy across Africa and Europe.

The goal is simple: to give young people the resources, space, and support they need to lead change.

What is the TPFM?

The Third-Party Funding Mechanism is a funding opportunity for youth-led groups working on issues that matter to young people. It supports local actions that can also contribute to bigger conversations at national, regional, continental, and cross-continental levels.

Funded activities may include:

  • workshops and trainings
  • youth-led research
  • advocacy actions
  • public events and dialogues
  • campaigns
  • community consultations
  • publications, reports, or assessments
  • printed and digital materials
  • activities that strengthen youth participation and accountability

The mechanism is designed to support youth-led work that is rooted in local realities and connected to the wider mission of the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab – Power of the Collective: co-creating a more inclusive and youth-responsive society in Africa and Europe.

The mechanism supports youth-led actions that enable young people to participate, organize, advocate, and effect change. This can include actions focused on youth participation, accountability, policy dialogue, community needs, youth rights, inclusion, gender equality, climate justice, education, employment, peacebuilding, or other priorities connected to young people’s realities.

Who is it for?

The Mechanism is open to youth-led groups working with and for young people aged 15 to 35. Eligible applicants must be based in one of the programme’s intervention countries: Belgium, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

For the full eligibility requirements, application rules, and supporting documents, applicants should read the Funding Manual before applying.

Selected groups should have a clear idea, a strong connection with the communities they serve, and a commitment to safe, inclusive, and ethical work.

HOW DOES IT WORK

A CALL FOR PROPOSALS IS
PUBLISHED
01
Youth-led groups are invited to apply through a specific call. The call explains who can apply, what kind of activities can be supported, what documents are needed, and the deadline.
GROUPS SUBMIT THEIR
IDEA
02
Applicants present the action they want to carry out, why it matters, who it will reach, and how the funding will be used.
APPLICATIONS ARE
REVIEWED
03
Applications are assessed based on clear criteria, including how relevant the idea is to the programme, how well it responds to the local context, and whether the group has a strong connection with the community it wants to support.
SELECTED GROUPS
COMPLETE BASIC CHECKS
04
Shortlisted groups may be asked to complete additional checks about how they work, manage activities, and keep participants safe. This step helps make sure the funding can be managed responsibly.
AGREEMENTS ARE
SIGNED
05
Selected groups sign an agreement before receiving the grant. This agreement explains the responsibilities, timeline, budget, reporting, and visibility requirements.
ACTIVITIES ARE
IMPLEMENTED
06
Grantees carry out their activities in their communities. Depending on the proposal, this may include trainings, campaigns, dialogues, advocacy visits, research, or other youth-led actions.
SUPPORT IS PROVIDED
WHEN NEEDED
07
Grantees may receive coaching or guidance during implementation, especially on activity planning, reporting, communication, and learning.
RESULTS AND LESSONS
ARE SHARED
08
Grantees document what happened, what changed, what they learned, and how their work contributed to youth engagement, empowerment, and connection.

CONTACT

For any questions related to the AU-EU Youth Voices Third-Party-Funding Mechanism, including eligibility, the application process, or submitted applications, please contact the Restless Development grants team at:

FIRST COHORT GRANTEES

  • Burundi

    From Victims to Leaders

    ISHAKA 2250

  • Zambia

    Empowering Communities to End Child Marriage

    Ascend Future Foundation

  • Zambia

    Amplifying the Voices of Hard-to-Reach Youth

    Future-prenuers Zambia

  • Senegal

    Modernization of Education in Daaras and Boarding Schools

    ACEBE

  • Uganda

    Voices of Resilience

    Hashtag Gulu Initiative

  • Nigeria

    Youth Civic Engagement & Policy Advocacy Initiative

    The Liberalist Centre for Education

  • Cameroon

    Advocating for Responsible Mining: A Youth-Led Initiative in Cameroon

    Xhuma Africa

  • Kenya

    Unheard to Influential – AI-Powered Youth Advocacy

    Action for Sustainability Initiative

  • Kenya

    Strengthening Action and Women Agency-SAWA Project

    Dreams Redefined Community Based Organization

  • South Sudan

    Youth-Driven Policy Influence and Grassroots Action

    LIM NGUEN FOUNDATION

  • South Sudan

    Plastic-Free Nile – Youth-Led Cleanup and Advocacy

    Save the Nile

  • Burkina Faso; Senegal

    Pan-African Peace Campaign

    Action Citoyenne pour le Développement et la Paix

  • Ghana

    Raising Voices Against Sexual Harassment in Schools

    Erudite Women’s Empowerment Foundation

  • Tanzania

    Big Sister

    Hope for Youth Development Organization

  • Uganda

    Amplifying Refugee Youth Voices for Health Equity

    Refugee Healthcare Providers Initiative