Eligible youth-led organisations in 12 African countries can apply for a €42,000 AU-EU Youth Action Lab Innovation Grant to design, test, adapt, scale or improve solutions addressing global challenges. Applications close on September 23, 2026, at 13:00 Central African Time (CAT).
The AU-EU Youth Action Lab Innovation Grants 2026 offer a significant funding opportunity for formally registered, youth-led non-profit organisations working to create lasting change for young people and their communities.
Under the latest call, each selected organisation can receive a fixed grant of €42,000 for a 12-month project running from January to December 2027. The programme will award 13 Innovation Grants in this call.
Beyond the financial support, selected organisations will gain access to mentorship, capacity development, knowledge-sharing opportunities and platforms connecting youth organisations with peers, decision-makers and stakeholders across Africa and Europe.
Importantly, this is not an individual scholarship or personal grant. The funding is intended for eligible organisations to implement an innovation project.
AU-EU Youth Action Lab Innovation Grant 2026: Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Grant Programme | AU-EU Youth Action Lab Innovation Grants |
| Grant Amount | €42,000 per organisation |
| Project Duration | 12 months |
| Implementation Period | January–December 2027 |
| Number of Innovation Grants | 13 |
| Applicant Type | Youth-led non-profit organisations |
| Age of Youth Leadership | 18–35 |
| Eligible Countries | 12 African countries |
| Application Type | Individual organisation |
| Deadline | September 23, 2026 |
| Deadline Time | 13:00 CAT |
| Application Platform | ON GRIP |
| Application Languages | English, French or Portuguese |
| Grant Stipend to Individuals | No |
| Mentorship | Yes |
| Capacity Development | Yes |
| Official Programme | AU-EU Youth Action Lab |
The official programme confirms that applicants cannot request less than or more than €42,000; the grant is offered at the full fixed amount.
What Is the AU-EU Youth Action Lab?
The AU-EU Youth Action Lab is designed to put young people at the centre of developing and implementing solutions to challenges affecting their communities.
The programme uses a “powershifting” approach, meaning young people are given a meaningful role in decisions about funding and programme priorities. Its Youth Advisory Board includes young representatives who help shape and steer the programme.
The Innovation Grants form part of the wider Youth Action Lab funding programme, which supports youth-led initiatives across Africa and Europe.
The objective is not simply to provide money to organisations. The programme also seeks to help youth organisations become more resilient, develop their capacity and demonstrate solutions that can potentially be replicated or scaled.
What Does the €42,000 Innovation Grant Support?
The funding is designed for organisations that have an innovative approach to addressing a global challenge in their own context.
The programme defines innovation broadly.
An organisation does not have to invent a new piece of technology.
Innovation can involve:
- Designing a new activity;
- Testing a new approach;
- Adapting an existing solution;
- Scaling a successful programme;
- Improving an existing campaign;
- Developing a new collaboration;
- Replicating an approach that has worked elsewhere;
- Using evidence or community feedback to improve an existing intervention.
The programme specifically says that technological innovation is not required.
What Types of Projects Can Organisations Propose?
Projects should create tangible benefits for young people and/or their communities while responding to a wider global challenge.
Potential areas can include initiatives addressing:
- Climate change;
- Youth participation in decision-making;
- Education and skills;
- Social inclusion;
- Gender-related inequalities;
- Disability inclusion;
- Youth employment;
- Community development;
- Digital inclusion;
- Access to opportunities;
- Migration-related challenges;
- Environmental sustainability.
However, applicants should not simply choose a popular topic.
The strongest proposals are likely to show a clear problem, a practical innovation, measurable outcomes and a realistic pathway to lasting impact.
The programme also encourages intersectional approaches that recognise how factors such as gender, disability, geography and socioeconomic circumstances can overlap and affect young people differently.
What Does “Innovation” Mean Under This Grant?
One important point applicants should understand is that innovation does not necessarily mean creating something completely new.
For example, a youth organisation could:
Design
Develop a new programme responding to a problem affecting young people.
Test
Pilot a promising solution in one community before expanding it.
Adapt
Take an existing approach that worked elsewhere and modify it for the local context.
Scale
Expand an existing successful programme to reach more young people.
Improve
Use research, evidence or community feedback to make an existing programme more effective.
This broad definition creates opportunities for organisations that already have programmes but want to demonstrate a stronger, more sustainable approach.
Who Can Apply for the €42,000 Grant?
The grant is not open to individuals.
The applicant must be a formally registered, youth-led non-profit organisation.
Eligible organisational structures include:
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs);
- Civil society organisations (CSOs);
- Community-based organisations (CBOs);
- Trusts;
- Other formally registered non-profit youth organisations meeting the programme’s requirements.
The organisation must have a clear social mission.
Youth Leadership Requirements
The youth-led requirement is particularly important.
The programme specifies that:
- 100% of the organisation’s governance must be made up of people aged 18–35;
- Young people aged 18–35 must have primary decision-making power;
- More than 80% of people directly involved in designing and carrying out organisational activities must be aged 18–35;
- 100% of staff implementing the proposed project must be aged 18–35.
This means an organisation should not assume that simply having young volunteers makes it “youth-led.”
The governance and project implementation structure must satisfy the programme’s specific requirements.
Which African Countries Are Eligible?
The Innovation Grant is available to organisations registered in 12 African Youth Action Lab focus countries:
- Ethiopia
- Kenya
- Mozambique
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia – Somaliland region
- Tanzania
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
The proposed project must also take place in one or more of these eligible countries.
What This Means for Nigerian Organisations
Nigeria is specifically included in the eligible-country list.
Therefore, a Nigerian youth-led NGO, CBO, CSO or qualifying trust can apply if it satisfies all the organisational and project requirements.
Can an Individual Apply?
No. This opportunity should not be confused with individual scholarships and fellowships.
The €42,000 is awarded to an eligible organisation, not to an individual young person.
The organisation must also submit the proposal as an individual organisation rather than as a consortium.
Can Two Organisations Apply Together?
For this Innovation Grant call, applications must be submitted by an individual organisation.
Therefore, organisations should not create a consortium application simply to meet the requirements.
However, the proposed innovation itself can involve collaborations and partnerships where appropriate. The programme’s definition of innovation specifically includes collaborations.
What Are the Benefits of the AU-EU Youth Action Lab Grant?
The biggest benefit is the €42,000 project grant, but the programme offers more than funding.
Successful organisations can also receive:
€42,000 Financial Support
The full grant amount is fixed at €42,000. Applicants cannot request a smaller or larger amount.
Mentorship
Selected organisations can receive mentorship tailored to their organisational needs.
Capacity Development
Grantees can benefit from support designed to strengthen organisational capabilities.
Africa-Europe Networking
The programme provides opportunities for grantees to share their solutions with youth organisations, decision-makers and other stakeholders across Africa and Europe.
Knowledge Exchange
The programme also connects grantees through events and online platforms where they can exchange experiences and lessons.
How Long Does the Grant Last?
The Innovation Grant will fund projects for:
12 Months. The implementation period is:
January 2027 – December 2027.
Organisations should therefore develop a realistic 12-month implementation plan rather than proposing activities that require several years to complete.
How Many Organisations Will Receive the Grant?
The programme states that: 13 Innovation Grants will be awarded during this call.
This makes the opportunity highly competitive, especially because the grant amount is substantial and the eligibility pool covers 12 African countries.
Applicants should therefore avoid submitting generic proposals.
Best Strategy Method to Win This Scholarship
Although this is technically a grant rather than a scholarship, organisations can use a similar competitive strategy when preparing their application.
Because only 13 Innovation Grants will be awarded, the proposal needs to demonstrate more than a good idea.
1. Start With a Clearly Defined Problem
Explain exactly what problem young people are experiencing.
Avoid broad statements such as:
“Youth unemployment is a major problem in Nigeria.”
Instead, identify the specific group, location, barrier and evidence behind the problem.
2. Show What Is Innovative
Explain what your organisation will do differently.
Remember that innovation can mean designing, testing, adapting, scaling or improving an existing approach.
3. Make the Young People Central
The programme is specifically designed for youth-led organisations.
Show how young people are:
- Making decisions;
- Designing the project;
- Implementing activities;
- Benefiting from the intervention;
- Providing feedback.
4. Demonstrate Sustainability
Explain what happens after the 12-month grant ends.
A strong proposal should answer:
How will this solution continue creating impact after AU-EU funding finishes?
5. Connect Local Impact to a Global Challenge
The project should address a local problem while demonstrating its relevance to wider challenges and frameworks such as the SDGs or African Union Agenda 2063.
6. Use Measurable Results
Instead of saying:
“We will empower young people.”
Say what will be achieved, how many people will be reached and what measurable change you expect.
7. Keep the €42,000 Budget Realistic
Since the grant amount is fixed, organisations should develop a budget that clearly connects expenditure to project activities and outcomes.
Pros and Cons of the AU-EU Youth Action Lab Innovation Grant
Pros
- €42,000 in funding: A substantial grant for an eligible youth organisation.
- No requirement for technological innovation: Organisations can innovate through programmes, campaigns, partnerships and other approaches.
- 12-month implementation period: The funding provides enough time to test or improve a solution.
- Mentorship and capacity development: Organisations receive more than financial support.
- International exposure: Grantees can connect with youth organisations and stakeholders across Africa and Europe.
- Focus on young people: The programme gives youth-led organisations an opportunity to lead solutions affecting their communities.
Cons
- Highly competitive: Only 13 Innovation Grants are planned for this call.
- Strict youth-leadership requirements: The organisation’s governance and project team must meet specific age requirements.
- Limited geographic eligibility: Organisations outside the 12 focus countries cannot apply for this Innovation Grant.
- No individual funding: The €42,000 is organisational project funding, not money paid to a founder or individual.
- Fixed grant amount: Applicants cannot request less than or more than €42,000.
- Individual applications only: Organisations cannot submit a consortium application for this grant.
Visa Requirements and How to Get It
Important: There is No Visa Requirement to Apply for This Grant
The AU-EU Youth Action Lab Innovation Grant is an organisational funding programme, not an overseas study or employment programme.
Therefore, an organisation does not need a European visa simply to submit an application or receive the €42,000 grant.
The project is expected to take place in one or more of the eligible African countries.
What About Travel to Europe?
The programme provides opportunities for grantees to share their solutions with peers, decision-makers and stakeholders across Africa and Europe. It also includes knowledge-sharing and networking activities.
If a successful organisation or its representatives are later invited to travel to an EU country for an event, meeting or programme activity, the individual traveller would need to determine the appropriate visa requirements for that destination.READ: Schengen Area (European Union) Visa Application Guide, Appointment Centres.
The visa process would generally involve:
- Receiving an official invitation or travel documentation where applicable;
- Determining the appropriate visa category;
- Completing the relevant visa application;
- Providing a valid passport;
- Providing supporting documents;
- Attending a biometric or visa appointment where required;
- Demonstrating the purpose of travel and other required conditions;
- Waiting for the immigration authority’s decision.
Receiving the grant does not automatically guarantee a visa. This is because the Schengen Immigration issues affecting Applicants from Africa, Asia, America, and other non-EU regions. Familiarize with these issues and make sure you comply with the instructions.
What Should Organisations Prepare Before Applying?
Organisations should begin assembling their application materials well before the deadline.
Important preparations include:
- Registration documents;
- Organisational bank-account information;
- Governance structure;
- Evidence demonstrating youth leadership;
- Information about the organisation’s previous activities;
- Project concept;
- Problem statement;
- Target beneficiaries;
- Innovation approach;
- Implementation plan;
- Expected outcomes;
- Sustainability plan;
- Project budget;
- Monitoring and learning approach.
The official application instructions require applicants to review the relevant Funding Manual before submitting their proposal.
Application Languages
Applicants for the Innovation Grant can submit their application in:
- English
- French
- Portuguese
The programme’s FAQ confirms that applicants can choose one of these languages for their Innovation Grant application.
Organisations should choose the language in which they can present their proposal most clearly and professionally.
How to Apply for the €42,000 AU-EU Youth Action Lab Grant
The application process is conducted online through the ON GRIP application platform. But first, take a sneak pick on the Winning Strategy to Apply for Scholarship as an International Student: A Step-by-Step Guide.
Step 1: Confirm your organisation’s eligibility
Check the age, registration, country, non-profit and governance requirements.
Step 2: Read the Funding Manual
This should be done before writing the proposal.
The official programme provides the Funding Manual in English, French and Portuguese.
Step 3: Develop your innovation
Clearly explain:
- The problem;
- Your solution;
- Why it is innovative;
- Who benefits;
- How it will be implemented;
- How success will be measured;
- How the impact can continue or scale.
Step 4: Prepare your budget
The Innovation Grant is fixed at €42,000, so applicants should construct a realistic budget around the available amount.
Step 5: Submit through ON GRIP
Applications must be submitted through the designated platform.
Step 6: Submit before the deadline
The official deadline is:
September 23, 2026 at 13:00 CAT
Late applications will not be considered.
Important Application Warning
The programme states that applications cannot be revised or modified after submission.
This makes the final review extremely important.
Before pressing submit, organisations should check:
- Organisation details;
- Registration information;
- Age requirements;
- Project description;
- Budget;
- Supporting information;
- Contact details;
- Attachments;
- Answers to all application questions.
Do not wait until the final hour to submit.
What Happens After Applying?
The Youth Action Lab expects the assessment process to take approximately three months, with applicants expected to hear about the outcome around January 2027.
Successful organisations will then proceed toward implementation of their projects from:
January 2027 to December 2027.
Information Webinar for Applicants
The programme has scheduled an information webinar focused on the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Grants for:
September 3, 2026 at 13:00 CAT
The session will include an opportunity for questions and answers. Attendance is not mandatory for applicants.
Organisations that are uncertain about the scope of “innovation” may find the session particularly useful.
Difference Between Innovation and Entrepreneurship Grants
Applicants should be careful not to apply for the wrong grant type.
The Innovation Grant is designed for youth organisations seeking to design, test, adapt, scale or improve innovative solutions to global challenges.
The separate Entrepreneurship Grant focuses on the responsible growth of youth-led social enterprises that combine a social or environmental mission with income-generating activities.
Therefore:
Innovation Grant → innovative solutions to global challenges
Entrepreneurship Grant → growth of youth-led social enterprises
An organisation should choose the grant category that best matches the actual nature of its project.
Other Youth Scholarships to Try out
- Swiss Government Excellence Opens Application for Monthly Stipend Scholarship
- Lester B. Pearson Undergraduate Scholarship – University of Toronto Canada
- Chevening Scholarship for Nigerians — UK Government
- DAAD Architecture Scholarships in Germany
- University of Miami Scholarships
- McCall MacBain Scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a scholarship?
No. It is an organisational innovation grant, not a university scholarship or individual fellowship.
How much funding is available?
Each successful Innovation Grant recipient receives €42,000.
Can an individual apply?
No. The applicant must be an eligible youth-led non-profit organisation.
Can Nigerian organisations apply?
Yes. Nigeria is one of the 12 eligible countries.
What age must the youth leaders be?
The programme defines youth as people aged 18–35. Its governance requirement states that 100% of the organisation’s governance must be within this age range.
Does the project have to be technological?
No. Innovation can include a new or improved activity, approach, campaign or collaboration.
Can I apply for €20,000?
No. The Innovation Grant is fixed at €42,000. Applicants cannot request a lower or higher amount.
How long is the project?
The funded project period is 12 months, from January to December 2027.
How many Innovation Grants will be awarded?
The programme says 13 Innovation Grants will be awarded in this call.
Do I need a visa to apply?
No. The application is online and the grant is for projects implemented in eligible African countries.
When is the deadline?
September 23, 2026 at 13:00 Central African Time (CAT).
Can I change my application after submitting it?
No. The programme’s FAQ says submitted applications cannot be revised or modified.
Concluding Remarks
The AU-EU Youth Action Lab Innovation Grants 2026 represent a substantial opportunity for formally registered youth-led organisations in Africa to turn promising ideas into practical community-level solutions.
The grant is particularly attractive because successful organisations receive a fixed €42,000, rather than competing for a smaller amount, while also gaining access to mentorship, capacity development and Africa-Europe knowledge-sharing opportunities.
However, this is not a €42,000 scholarship for young individuals. The money is awarded to eligible organisations to implement a 12-month innovation project.
The programme also has strict eligibility requirements. The organisation must be formally registered, have a bank account and clear governance structure, be genuinely youth-led, and be registered in one of the 12 eligible African countries. The proposed project must also be youth-led and implemented in one or more of those countries.
For organisations in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana? — Note: Ghana is not on the current eligible-country list, so Ghanaian organisations should not assume eligibility. The current list is Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia (Somaliland region), Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The most important date to remember is:
September 23, 2026 at 13:00 CAT
Because submitted applications cannot be edited afterward, organisations should complete a thorough eligibility and proposal review before submission.
Official application and grant information: AU-EU Youth Lab Innovation Grants – Official Website
Application: ON GRIP Application Portal
Information verified against the AU-EU Youth Action Lab’s current Innovation Grant page and FAQ on August 28, 2026.
A Travel Consultant dedicated to helping students, job seekers, and professionals discover life-changing opportunities around the world. He holds a Diploma in Human Resource Management, Project Management & Ticketing, Degree in Microbiology, and Master’s in Public Health.