Applications have opened for the AU-EU Youth Action Lab Grants 2026. This Call for Proposals represents the final cohort of the AU-EU Youth Action Lab grants.
The programme is providing a significant opportunity for eligible youth initiatives to secure support for projects that address global challenges or strengthen the environment for young entrepreneurs.
With grants running for a full year from January to December 2027, successful applicants will have a defined period within which to implement their initiatives and pursue their intended objectives.
The power shifting approach is also central to the programme. By involving a Youth Advisory Board in proposal review and selection, emphasising organisational capacity, and simplifying application and reporting mechanisms, the programme seeks to create a funding process that is more responsive to youth initiatives.
The AU-EU Youth Action Lab Grants 2026 provide funding opportunities for youth-led initiatives in selected African countries that are working to address global challenges or promote a more enabling environment for young entrepreneurs.
For the final Call for Proposals, applicants can choose between two grant categories: Innovation Grants, which support initiatives developing, testing, or scaling innovations linked to global challenges, and Entrepreneurship Grants, which support initiatives advocating for an enabling environment for young entrepreneurs.
Both grant types will run for 12 months, from January to December 2027, and are built around the Youth Action Lab’s powershifting approach. This includes meaningful youth participation in funding decisions, a focus on organisational capacity, and simplified application and reporting processes.
Who can Apply
The opportunity is open to eligible youth initiatives in Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, the Somaliland Region of Somalia, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The final application deadline is 23 September 2026 at 13:00 Central African Time (CAT). Applicants must also remember that only one grant opportunity can be applied for at a time.
Youth-led initiatives that have an innovative solution to a global challenge or are working to create stronger conditions for young entrepreneurs should review the relevant grant requirements and begin preparing their application well before the deadline.
How to Apply
Interested persons can apply using the links provided below:
AU – EU Youth Lab 👉 Innovation Grants
AU – EU Youth Lab 👉 Entrepreneurship Grants
*** Please Note ***
Applicants should review the detailed requirements for each grant before making their final choice.
Application Support
The AU-EU Youth Action Lab provides an application guide for applicants who need assistance understanding how to submit their proposals.
Prospective applicants can consult the official guide: AU-EU Youth Action Lab application guide
Applicants should use the official programme guidance to understand the application process and any specific requirements that apply to the selected grant category.
