The AU–EU Youth Action Lab offers young people from Africa and Europe a unique opportunity to secure funding for their own initiatives addressing global challenges.
This general call for proposals aims to elevate youth-led solutions, strengthen cross-continental collaboration, and ensure that young voices influence policy discussions at both the African Union (AU) and European Union (EU) levels.
AU–EU Youth Action Lab Connecting Youth Across Continents
The initiative is built on a clear ambition: to enhance connections between young people in Africa and Europe. Through the Youth Action Lab, youth-led projects can:
- Engage with peers across the AU–EU regions
- Share knowledge, experiences, and innovative ideas
- Collaborate on solutions that tackle pressing global issues
- Bring youth-driven perspectives directly to policy-makers
In the upcoming cycle, the Youth Action Lab will launch a new call for proposals, inviting diverse youth groups to participate.
AU–EU Youth Action Lab Eligibility: Who Can Apply?
Youth initiatives are welcome to apply from:
- African countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia (Somaliland Region), Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
- European countries: All member states of the European Union
Only one grant application can be submitted at a time.
A Powershifting Approach to Funding
All four grant types offered by the AU–EU LabYouth Action Lab share a powershifting philosophy. This approach ensures that youth initiatives are not only funded but are supported in ways that strengthen their autonomy and long-term impact. The powershifting model is built on three core principles:
Nothing About Youth Without Youth
- A dedicated Youth Advisory Board reviews and selects proposals.
- Decision-making authority rests with young leaders themselves.
Organisational Capacity
- Grants are designed to build stability and resilience.
- Funding supports financial security and capacity development for youth initiatives.
Simplified Application & Reporting
- Processes are streamlined and youth-friendly.
- Reporting requirements are reasonable and tailored to the realities of youth-led organisations.
The Four Types of Youth Action Lab Grants
Each grant runs for a maximum of 12 months, depending on the specific category. Youth groups should choose the single option that best fits their initiative.
Innovation Grants
Support for youth initiatives that aim to design, test, or scale innovative solutions addressing global issues.
Ideal for initiatives focused on:
- Creative problem-solving
- New models or prototypes
- Scaling existing innovations
Entrepreneurship Grants
Funding for initiatives working in social entrepreneurship or efforts to expand employment opportunities for young people.
Best suited for:
- Youth-led social enterprises
- Projects creating jobs or skills training
- Initiatives supporting economic empowerment
Representation Grants
Support for young people experiencing marginalisation, especially those working at the grassroots to raise and amplify their voices.
Targeted toward:
- Under-represented youth groups
- Advocacy and rights-based initiatives
- Community-driven mobilisation
Cooperation Grants
Designed to foster collaboration between African and European youth on shared advocacy goals.
Ideal for initiatives that:
- Build AU–EU partnerships
- Co-create advocacy campaigns
- Encourage cross-regional solidarity
Consortium Partners
The AU–EU Youth Action Lab operates through a collaborative consortium of partners committed to strengthening youth leadership, promoting equitable participation, and supporting sustainable youth-driven development.
For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram
Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the awarding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
