Nonprofits, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), and Trusts working with young people now have a powerful opportunity to access funding and strengthen cross-continental collaboration.
The AU–EU Youth Action Lab has opened applications for its Cooperation Grants, designed to support youth-led partnerships between Africa and Europe. These grants aim to empower young people to actively engage in policy processes, foster collaboration across borders, and deliver meaningful social impact within their communities.
This funding opportunity is ideal for organizations that believe in youth leadership and are ready to work across regions to address shared challenges.
About the AU–EU Youth Action Lab
The AU–EU Youth Action Lab is a joint initiative that strengthens cooperation between African Union (AU) and European Union (EU) youth ecosystems. It supports innovative, youth-driven solutions that promote dialogue, policy engagement, and sustainable development across both continents.
Through its Cooperation Grants, the programme invests directly in youth-led organisations and initiatives that can translate ideas into action.
What the Cooperation Grants Offer
Selected consortia will receive:
- €50,000 in grant funding per project
- 18 grants available in total
- Funding to implement 12-month projects
- Support for Africa–Europe partnerships and collaboration
- Opportunities to strengthen youth participation in policy engagement and civic action
The funding is flexible enough to support activities such as research, advocacy, dialogue platforms, capacity building, and community-driven initiatives.
Who Can Apply
Applications are open to consortia of organisations, not individual organisations. Each consortium must meet the following criteria:
- Composed of 2–4 organisations
- Includes at least one organisation based in Africa and/or Europe
- Organisations must be nonprofits, CSOs, CBOs, or trusts
- The consortium must be led by young people aged 18–35
- Demonstrated experience or strong interest in:
- Youth engagement
- Policy dialogue
- Civic participation
- Cross-continental collaboration
Both emerging and established organisations are encouraged to apply, as long as youth leadership is central to the project design and implementation.
Target Countries
At least one organisation in the consortium must be based in one of the following countries:
- Ethiopia
- Kenya
- Mozambique
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somaliland (Somalia)
- Tanzania
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Projects should demonstrate relevance to youth priorities within these contexts while fostering collaboration with European partners.
Project Focus Areas
Funded projects should aim to:
- Strengthen Africa–Europe youth cooperation
- Promote youth participation in policy processes
- Encourage collaboration between youth-led organisations
- Deliver tangible social impact at local, national, or regional levels
- Amplify youth voices in decision-making spaces
Innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability will be key factors in the selection process.
Key Deadline
- Application Deadline: February 12, 2026
Early submissions are strongly encouraged to allow time for consortium coordination and proposal refinement.
How to Apply
Interested organisations should apply through the official AU–EU Youth Action Lab website:
https://aueuyouth.com/cooperation-grants/
Before applying, ensure that:
- Your consortium meets all eligibility requirements
- Youth leadership (ages 18–35) is clearly demonstrated
- The proposal clearly outlines objectives, activities, impact, and collaboration structure
All application guidelines, eligibility details, and submission instructions are available on the official website.
The AU–EU Youth Action Lab Cooperation Grants are more than just funding—they are an opportunity to build lasting partnerships between Africa and Europe, elevate youth voices, and co-create solutions that matter.
If your organisation is youth-led, impact-driven, and ready to collaborate beyond borders, this grant could be the catalyst your work needs.
Don’t miss out—start building your consortium and apply before February 12, 2026.