The European Youth Foundation (EYF) of the Council of Europe has officially launched its 2026 Call for Proposals for International One-Off Youth Co-operation Activities Supporting Young People from Ukraine (2026.C4.A). This funding opportunity provides grants of up to €25,000 for international youth organizations and eligible partners seeking to implement impactful youth projects that strengthen democracy, human rights, intercultural dialogue, peace, and solidarity across Europe.

With a total funding envelope of €150,000, the initiative is designed to support projects that directly involve young people from Ukraine alongside participants from other Council of Europe member States. The programme recognizes the challenges faced by Ukrainian youth due to the ongoing war and seeks to empower them through meaningful international cooperation, education, networking, and youth participation.

Organizations interested in implementing international seminars, youth camps, conferences, study visits, training courses, and other educational activities are encouraged to submit proposals before the application deadline.

Deadline

Application Deadline: 1 September 2026 (23:59 CET)

 

About the European Youth Foundation

The European Youth Foundation (EYF) is a funding mechanism established by the Council of Europe to support youth activities that promote:

• Human rights
• Democracy
• Peace
• Youth participation
• Intercultural dialogue
• Social inclusion
• Non-formal education
• Active citizenship

Through this special Ukraine-focused call, the Foundation aims to strengthen cooperation among youth organizations across Europe while supporting Ukrainian young people during and beyond the current humanitarian challenges.

 

Objectives of the 2026 Ukraine Call

The grant programme specifically supports international meetings that directly involve young people from Ukraine while promoting cooperation with youth from other Council of Europe member States.

Projects should contribute to one or more of the following objectives:

• Address the emerging needs of young people from Ukraine resulting from the war of aggression.
• Strengthen democratic participation among young people.
• Increase youth engagement in youth organizations and civic initiatives.
• Promote human rights and democratic values.
• Encourage peacebuilding and conflict-sensitive dialogue.
• Improve access to rights for young people.
• Combat discrimination and exclusion.
• Foster intercultural understanding across Europe.
• Build long-term partnerships among youth organizations.
• Equip young people with leadership skills for future educational, advocacy, and awareness-raising initiatives.

 

Priority Themes

Projects must focus on one or more of the European Youth Foundation’s thematic priorities:

1. Revitalising Pluralistic Democracy

Projects may encourage:

• Democratic participation
• Civic engagement
• Youth leadership
• Active citizenship
• Democratic governance

 

2. Young People’s Access to Rights

Activities may address:

• Human rights education
• Equal opportunities
• Social justice
• Inclusion
• Access to public services

 

3. Living Together in Peaceful and Inclusive Societies

Possible topics include:

• Peacebuilding
• Conflict prevention
• Anti-discrimination
• Diversity
• Social cohesion
• Intercultural dialogue

 

4. Youth Work

Projects can strengthen:

• Youth organizations
• Youth workers
• Non-formal education
• Community engagement
• Youth leadership development

 

Types of Activities Eligible for Funding

The grant supports international one-off youth cooperation activities such as:

• Youth camps
• International seminars
• Conferences
• Training courses
• Study visits
• Educational exchanges
• Networking events
• Capacity-building meetings
• Preparatory meetings
• Evaluation meetings
• Follow-up activities connected to the main event

These examples are illustrative rather than exhaustive.

 

Project Quality Requirements

Funded projects are expected to:

• Be designed by culturally diverse project teams.
• Include young people or youth leaders from Ukraine whenever possible.
• Apply Council of Europe approaches, including:
  • Non-formal education
  • Human rights education
  • Youth participation
  • Intercultural learning
• Promote meaningful cooperation between participants from different countries.
• Deliver high educational quality.

 

Project Duration

Projects should:

• Begin between 1 December 2026 and 31 December 2026.
• Finish no later than 31 December 2027.
• Include:
  • Preparation phase
  • Main activity
  • Evaluation
  • Follow-up activities

Final reports must be submitted within two months after project completion.

Projects completed before application submission are automatically ineligible.

 

Participant Requirements

Eligible projects must involve participants:

• From at least seven Council of Europe member States.
• Including young people from Ukraine, whether residing in Ukraine or elsewhere.
• With at least 75% of participants aged 30 years or younger.
• Including young people with disabilities where possible.
• Promoting gender equality.
• Supporting social inclusion.
• Ensuring balanced geographical representation.

Applications failing to meet these criteria will not be considered.

 

Grant Amount

Applicants may request funding of up to:

€25,000

Each organization must also provide co-financing through:

• Own financial resources
• Human resources
• In-kind contributions
• Third-party support

The proposed budget should be:

• Realistic
• Cost-effective
• Complete
• Accurate
• Clearly linked to project activities

 

Total Budget Available

The European Youth Foundation has allocated:

€150,000

The Foundation expects to finance approximately:

• Six projects
• Maximum €25,000 each

However, it reserves the right to:

• Award fewer grants
• Redistribute funding differently depending on proposal quality

 

Activities That Cannot Be Funded

Funding will not support:

• Commercial or profit-making operations
• Purchase of land
• Purchase of buildings
• Building construction
• Renovation projects
• Purchase of fixed building equipment
• Tourism activities
• Scholarships
• Sports competitions
• School exchanges
• Activities forming part of school or university curricula
• Strictly vocational programmes
• Projects unrelated to Council of Europe priorities
• Statutory meetings of youth organizations

 

Payment Schedule

Successful organizations receive funding in two instalments.

First Payment

• 80% of the grant after signing the grant agreement.

Final Payment

• Remaining balance after submission and approval of:
  • Narrative report
  • Financial report

 

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• International youth NGOs
• International youth NGO networks
• Sub-regional youth NGO networks
• National youth NGOs partnered with at least three national youth organizations from three other Council of Europe member States
• National youth NGOs partnered with an international youth NGO or network

Applicants must also:

• Be registered in the European Youth Foundation online system.
• Have a euro bank account.
• Demonstrate financial stability.
• Show sufficient operational capacity.
• Have experienced staff and volunteers capable of implementing the project.

 

 

Assessment Criteria

Applications will be evaluated using the following weighting:

1. Relevance to the Call Objectives (40%)

Projects should clearly contribute to the objectives and priorities of the call.

2. Quality of the Proposal (32%)

Reviewers will assess:

• Clarity
• Completeness
• Feasibility
• Methodology

3. Budget Quality (16%)

Budgets should demonstrate:

• Cost-effectiveness
• Accuracy
• Transparency

4. Organizational Capacity (12%)

Assessment includes:

• Experience
• Expertise
• Partnerships
• Project team competence

 

Selection Process

Following evaluation:

• The EYF Secretariat reviews all proposals.
• The Programming Committee on Youth makes the final funding decisions.
• Successful organizations receive written notification.
• Selected applicants sign grant agreements before project implementation begins.

 

Important Timeline

Activity	Date
Call Published	30 June 2026
Registration Opens	End of July 2026
Application Deadline	1 September 2026 (23:59 CEST)
Assessment Period	2–30 September 2026
Funding Decision	By 31 October 2026
Results Communicated	By 5 November 2026
Grant Agreements Signed	15 November 2026
Project Start	Between 1–31 December 2026
Project Completion	By 31 December 2027
Final Reporting	Up to 29 February 2028

Why This Grant Matters

The European Youth Foundation Ukraine Call 2026 provides an important opportunity for youth organizations across Europe to foster solidarity, empower Ukrainian youth, strengthen democratic participation, and promote peaceful societies through international cooperation. By funding high-quality educational and intercultural initiatives, the programme seeks to build stronger youth networks capable of addressing today’s most pressing social and democratic challenges while preparing young leaders for future action.

Organizations with innovative ideas that bring together young people from Ukraine and across Europe are encouraged to prepare their applications early and submit them before the deadline.

How to Apply

Applicants must first register with the European Youth Foundation if they are not already registered.

The registration process may take up to two weeks, so organizations are encouraged to register well before the deadline.

Applications must include:

1. Completed narrative application form.
2. Completed budget form.

Applications must be submitted through the EYF online granting system.

Proposals are accepted in:

• English
• French

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

 

 

Learn More

• For more information about this opportunity, Click here

• More global Fellowship opportunities for youth, visit the OFY website: Click here