Applications are now open for the Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF), an initiative designed to support youth-led projects that create positive change in communities.
The programme provides both financial support and capacity-building opportunities for young people working on ideas that contribute to sustainable development.
The Youth Empowerment Fund is a partnership between the European Union and the Global Youth Mobilization, an initiative led by the Big Six Youth Organisations.
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The programme directly supports young people implementing community-based projects while also ensuring that youth play active roles in decision-making, governance, and the selection of grant beneficiaries.
Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF) 2026 Funding Categories
The Youth Empowerment Fund provides four levels of financial support:
Level 1: €500 – Open to individuals and informal youth-led groups
Level 2: €1,500 – Open to individuals and informal youth-led groups
Level 3: €3,000 – Open only to registered youth-led organisations
Level 4: €5,000 – Reserved for registered youth-led organisations
Programme Benefits
Successful applicants will receive:
- Project funding between €500 and €5,000 depending on the category
- Access to capacity-building workshops covering communication, reporting, and project implementation
- Opportunity to join a global network of youth changemakers working on sustainable development initiatives
SEE ALSO: 2026 Bloom Grant for Women Entrepreneurs ($1,000 Funding, Mentorship & Networking)
Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF) 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the programme, applicants must:
1. Be young people aged 14 to 30
2. Be applying as individuals, informal youth-led groups, or registered youth-led organisations
3. Propose projects that align with one or more of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Priority Areas
Special consideration will be given to projects that:
- Support underrepresented or vulnerable communities
- Address climate change and environmental protection
- Promote sustainability and inclusive development
- Young people with innovative ideas that can create meaningful change within their communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application Deadline
March 31, 2026
SEE ALSO
- Federal Government releases lists of ongoing women empowerment programmes
- 2026 Youth Leadership Development Fund (YLDF) Grant (Nigeria Youth Futures Fund) Now Open
- Okpeyo Temile Foundation 2026 Business Support Grant Now Open
How to Apply for Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF) 2026
Interested applicants can submit their applications for the Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF) 2026 through the application portal.
You can also check out more opportunities you are eligible to apply for on the Federal Government Initiative Category, Latest Grant Collection Category, and Job and Career Opportunity Desk.
