Applications are now open for the AU EU Youth Action Lab Entrepreneurship Grant, a major funding opportunity supporting youth-led organisations and social enterprises working to expand economic opportunities for young people across Africa and Europe.
The grant provides up to €30,000 to eligible organisations building responsible, sustainable, and income-generating solutions that tackle youth unemployment, economic exclusion, and limited access to opportunities.
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About the AU EU Youth Action Lab Grant
The Entrepreneurship Grant is designed to support the responsible growth of youth-led social enterprises that combine a strong social or environmental mission with sustainable business models.
Rather than supporting profit-driven ventures, this initiative prioritises organisations that reinvest revenue into community impact, job creation, skills development, and long-term economic resilience for young people.
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Why This Grant Matters
Across Africa and Europe, many young people continue to face:
- High unemployment and underemployment
- Limited access to startup capital and financing
- Gaps in relevant, market-ready skills
- Weak support systems for youth entrepreneurship
By investing directly in youth-led organisations, the AU–EU Youth Action Lab is enabling young innovators to build solutions that:
- Create decent jobs and livelihoods
- Strengthen local economies
- Promote responsible and inclusive business practices
- Deliver measurable social and environmental impact
What the Grant Offers
Successful applicants will receive:
- Up to €30,000 in project funding
- Mentorship and tailored capacity-building support
- Access to the AU–EU Youth Action Lab platform
- Increased visibility and networking opportunities with peers, policymakers, and stakeholders across Africa and Europe
SEE ALSO: SFDP Health Innovation Challenge 2026 ($300 Grants for Nigerian Youth)
Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)
The grant is open to youth-led, non-profit organisations that meet the following requirements:
1. Must be a registered Trust, NGO, CSO, Community-Based Organisation, Cooperative, or similar non-profit entity
2. Organisation must have a clear social or environmental mission
3. Income-generating activities must directly support and sustain the mission (not a side business)
4. Fully youth-led, with young people aged 18–35 holding decision-making and governance power
5. All project staff must also be within the 18–35 age range and must have:
- Legal registration
- An organisational bank account
- Clear governance structure
- At least 12 months of operational experience
Must demonstrate:
- Existing community programmes
- Revenue-generating activities
- Measurable social or environmental impact
- Reinvestment of profits into mission growth or scaling
- Private shareholder profit distribution is not allowed
Eligible Countries for the AU–EU Youth Action Lab Entrepreneurship Grant
Applicants must be registered and operating in one or more of the following AU–EU Youth Action Lab focus countries:
Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia (Somaliland region), Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Proposed activities must take place within these countries.
Eligible Project Activities
Projects may include (but are not limited to):
- Developing or testing skills development programmes
- Scaling existing youth skills or employability initiatives
- Reaching underserved or remote young people
- Strengthening partnerships between:
- Youth-led organisations
- Local businesses
- Skills providers
- Government institutions
- Innovative, collaborative, and integrated approaches are strongly encouraged.
SEE ALSO: Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme 2026 ($5,000 Grant + Training & Mentorship)
How to Apply
Interested organisations should submit their proposals through the official AU–EU Youth Action Lab application platform.
Applicants are advised to clearly explain:
- How their project supports responsible youth-led entrepreneurship
- How it expands economic opportunities for young people
- The expected social or environmental impact and how it will be measured
The AU–EU Youth Action Lab Entrepreneurship Grant is a powerful opportunity for youth-led organisations to secure significant funding, strengthen their impact, and scale sustainable solutions that improve livelihoods for young people across Africa and Europe.
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