Application Deadline
Application Deadline: 31 March 2026, 2359 hours UTC.
Introduction
The Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF), a partnership between the European Union (EU) and the Global Youth Mobilization (GYM), provides direct financial support for youth-led initiatives focusing on the implementation of the at the local level. The Youth Empowerment Fund also aims to reach young people from under-represented backgrounds, including those facing challenges relating to their socio-economic background, gender, disability, marginalization, climate change, and more.
Eligibility
Young people aged 14 to 30 are eligible to apply.
Application Categories
- Young individuals
- Informal groups
- Registered youth-led organisations
Eligible Projects
Projects addressing global challenges aligned with the following special focus areas:
- Projects by or for under-represented and vulnerable young people and groups (e.g. communities affected by climate change, people facing gender barriers, and people with disabilities or chronic illness)
- Projects addressing climate change and environmental sustainability
Benefits
- An individual person or an informal group of young people can apply to get small scale micro-grants for their projects between 500-1500 EUR, while registered youth-led organizations may apply for funding up to 5000 EUR.
- Successful project awardees will receive capacity building opportunities such as workshops, access to a community of youth experts, and guidance for their project implementation journey.
- Outstanding project teams may also have the chance to join an Accelerator Program to scale up their ideas.