The AU-EU Youth Action Lab has announced the 2025 Cooperation Grants, aiming to foster cross-continental collaboration between African and European youth-led organizations.
These grants are designed to support initiatives that engage young people in policy-making and advocacy, addressing shared global challenges.
Summary of Key Details
| Application Deadline | Grant Amount | Link to Apply | Organizer |
| March 16, 2025 | €50,000 per consortium | Apply Here | AU-EU Youth Action Lab |
Eligibility Criteria
- Consortium Composition: Applications must be submitted by a consortium of at least two youth-led organizations, with at least one organization from an African Union (AU) member state and one from a European Union (EU) member state.
- Youth Leadership: Organizations must be led by individuals aged 18 to 35, ensuring that young people are the primary decision-makers.
- Legal Status: Each organization must be legally registered in its respective country, possess a formal governance structure, and have an organizational bank account.
- Experience: At least one of the collaborating organizations should have prior experience working on collaborative projects.
Focus Areas
The Cooperation Grants aim to:
- Policy and Advocacy: Empower young people, especially those from marginalized communities, to become effective advocates for their rights and priorities by providing financial resources for policy-related work at local, national, and international levels.
- Capacity Building: Offer training and resources to help youth understand how to engage with governmental institutions and influence policy as active citizens.
- Cross-Continental Collaboration: Facilitate connections between youth organizations across Africa and Europe to promote intercultural dialogue and collaborative initiatives.
Eligible Activities
Projects funded by the Cooperation Grants can include a variety of activities, such as:
- Organizing policy events with stakeholders.
- Conducting research and sharing findings.
- Facilitating the participation of marginalized youth in policy discussions.
- Hosting events to mobilize support for youth-led projects.
- Launching online campaigns to raise awareness about youth issues.
- Using social media tools to share ideas and work collaboratively.
- Connecting youth with EU and AU representatives.
- Creating connections with other youth-led initiatives and projects.
- Issuing press releases to engage with media and disseminate key messages and project updates.
Application Process
- Consortium Formation: Identify and partner with at least one youth-led organization from the other continent (i.e., African organizations should partner with European organizations and vice versa).
- Registration form click here
- Proposal Development: Collaboratively develop a project proposal that outlines the initiative’s objectives, activities, expected outcomes, and budget.
- Submission: Submit the joint application through the official application portal by March 16, 2025.
For detailed information on the application process, eligibility criteria, and to access the funding manual, please visit the official AU-EU Youth Action Lab Cooperation Grants page.
This initiative presents a significant opportunity for youth-led organizations to collaborate across continents, share resources and knowledge, and drive impactful change on shared global challenges.
CHECK THESE OUT:
Understanding Scholarships, Fellowships, and Grants: Key Differences Explained
How to Apply for Grants for Nonprofits: A Step-by-Step Guide
