Objective

The Cooperation Grants support youth-led advocacy and policy initiatives that foster cross-continental collaboration between Africa and Europe. This funding enables youth organizations to influence decision-making processes, advocate for policy change, and empower marginalized youth by amplifying their voices in local, national, and international policymaking.

The grants are part of the AU-EU Youth Action Lab, an initiative co-funded by the European Union and implemented by Oxfam, Restless Development Uganda, and the European Youth Forum.

Eligibility criteria

• Applicants must be youth-led organizations (leaders aged 18-35).
• The project must involve at least two organizations, including:
  • One registered in an EU country.
  • One registered in an eligible African country.
• Organizations must be legally registered, have a formal governance structure, and hold a bank account.
• At least one of the cooperating organisations has prior experience working on collaborative projects.

Countries concerned

• European Union member states
• Eligible African countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somaliland, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Application deadline

16^th of March.

Grant amount

• €50,000 per project
• The project will be funded for 12 months maximum, from May 2025 to April 2026.

Additional information

• Priority is given to projects supporting marginalized youth, including those facing social, economic, gender-based, or geographic exclusion.
• Eligible activities include:
  • Policy advocacy, campaigns, and research.
  • Capacity building and leadership development.
  • Stakeholder engagement with institutions like the EU, AU, COP, and Council of Europe.
  • Intercultural networking and knowledge-sharing between African and European youth organizations.
• Projects must ensure equitable participation between African and European partners.
• Funding is disbursed in two installments, based on compliance with reporting requirements.

Webinars

AU-EU Youth Action Lab: Tips & next steps to apply for a Cooperation Grant

Get guidance on how to write a project proposal and learn the next steps before submitting your application by registering to one of the following webinars:

18 February 2025 at 13:00 CET

19 February 2025 at 18:30 CET

20 February 2025 at 17:00 CET

More information

• • Cooperation Grants – AU – EU Youth Lab
  • Official Grant Page: AU-EU Youth Action Lab