Applications are now open for the Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF) 2026, a global funding opportunity providing direct financial support to youth-led initiatives advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level.
The Youth Empowerment Fund is a partnership between the European Union (EU) and the Global Youth Mobilization (GYM), an initiative of the Big Six Youth Organisations. The fund aims to empower young people to design and implement innovative solutions addressing social, environmental, and economic challenges in their communities.
Young people, informal youth groups, and youth-led organisations can apply for micro-grants ranging from €500 to €5,000 to support projects that create meaningful local impact.
Youth Empowerment Fund 2026 Overview
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Funding Provider: European Union & Global Youth Mobilization
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Eligible Applicants: Youth aged 14–30
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Funding Amount: €500 – €5,000
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Eligible Applicants: Individuals, informal youth groups, and registered youth-led organisations
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Project Focus: Local initiatives aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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Application Deadline: 31 March 2026 (23:59 UTC)
Youth Empowerment Fund Grants
The Youth Empowerment Fund provides flexible funding depending on the type of applicant.
Grants for Individuals and Informal Groups
Young individuals or informal groups can apply for micro-grants between €500 and €1,500 to support small-scale community projects.
Grants for Registered Youth-Led Organisations
Registered youth-led organisations can apply for grants of up to €5,000 to implement larger initiatives that address community challenges.
These grants are designed to help young people turn innovative ideas into real solutions within their communities.
Priority Areas for Youth Empowerment Fund Projects
The Youth Empowerment Fund prioritizes initiatives that support vulnerable communities and promote sustainable development.
Supporting Under-Represented Communities
Projects that support marginalized groups are strongly encouraged, including initiatives that address:
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Socio-economic inequality
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Gender barriers and discrimination
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Disability inclusion
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Communities affected by climate change
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Youth facing marginalization or exclusion
Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability
The fund also supports projects addressing environmental challenges such as:
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Climate change adaptation and mitigation
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Environmental protection
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Sustainable community development
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Climate education and awareness
Projects should demonstrate clear community impact and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Additional Opportunities for Selected Projects
In addition to financial support, successful applicants will gain access to several development opportunities.
Capacity Building Workshops
Selected projects receive access to training opportunities including:
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Project management training
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Implementation guidance
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Networking with youth leaders and experts
Global Youth Network
Participants will also gain access to a global community of youth innovators and changemakers, providing opportunities to collaborate and share knowledge.
Accelerator Program
Outstanding projects may be selected for the Youth Empowerment Fund Accelerator Program, which provides:
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Additional funding opportunities
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Advanced training and mentorship
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Access to global youth leadership networks
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Support to scale successful initiatives
Youth-Led Selection Process
Applications to the Youth Empowerment Fund are reviewed through the Global Youth Mobilization’s youth-led model.
A diverse international panel of youth reviewers evaluates applications and recommends projects for funding. This ensures that young people play a direct role in decision-making and resource allocation.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the Youth Empowerment Fund, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Age Requirement
Applicants must be between 14 and 30 years old.
Eligible Applicant Categories
Applicants may apply as:
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Individual young people
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Informal youth groups
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Registered youth-led organisations
How to Apply
Interested applicants can submit their applications online through the official platform.
Apply here: https://yef-gym.tfaforms.net/f/cycle3
For more info please visit: https://globalyouthmobilization.org/youth-led-solutions-open-call/
Eligible Projects
Projects must:
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Address community challenges aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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Demonstrate clear local impact
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Be led or co-led by young people
Accessibility and Application Support
The Youth Empowerment Fund is designed to ensure that the application process is accessible to all young people.
The application platform:
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Is available in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish
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Allows applicants to include video submissions or supporting materials
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Offers offline forms and accommodations for applicants facing internet or accessibility challenges
Applicants requiring support can contact:
EU-YEF@globalyouthmobilization.org
Why You Should Apply
The Youth Empowerment Fund offers young leaders the opportunity to:
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Access funding for community initiatives
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Address local challenges aligned with global development goals
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Build leadership and project management skills
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Join a global network of youth changemakers
For many young people and grassroots youth organisations, this fund represents an opportunity to transform ideas into real community impact.
Youth Empowerment Fund 2026 Deadline
The deadline to apply for the Youth Empowerment Fund is:
31 March 2026 (23:59 UTC).
Early applications are encouraged.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can submit their applications online through the official platform.
Apply here: https://yef-gym.tfaforms.net/f/cycle3
For more info please visit: https://globalyouthmobilization.org/youth-led-solutions-open-call/
