Youth Action Lab Innovation Grants 2026: Up to €42,000 for Youth-Led Organisations in Africa

The Youth Action Lab Innovation Grants 2026 is inviting applications from formally registered, youth-led nonprofit organisations developing innovative solutions to challenges affecting young people and their communities. The programme supports organisations across selected African countries to design, test, adapt, improve, or scale initiatives that create meaningful and sustainable social impact. Selected organisations will receive up to €42,000 to implement their proposed innovation projects over a 12-month period from January to December 2027. In addition to financial support, grantees will benefit from mentorship, capacity development, knowledge exchange, and engagement with young people, decision-makers, and stakeholders across Africa and Europe. The programme recognises that innovation can take many forms, encouraging organisations to demonstrate improvements, adaptations, or scalings of existing solutions. Eligible projects include designing and testing new activities, adapting and piloting successful solutions, scaling initiatives to new communities, or improving existing programmes based on evidence, feedback, or research. Priority is given to projects addressing intersectional factors like unemployment, education access, gender, disability, socioeconomic circumstances, and geographic location. Initiatives led by marginalised groups and young women are particularly encouraged. Eligibility requires formally registered youth-led nonprofits with a clear social mission, where young people aged 18–35 hold primary decision-making power. Applicants must be based in one of 12 African countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia (Somaliland), Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe. Applications must clearly demonstrate youth-led governance, addressed problems, innovative solutions, beneficiary communities, and sustainable impact. The application deadline is 23 September 2026, and submissions must be made through the ON Grip Application System. The grants aim to turn promising ideas into actionable projects, offering financial resources and access to a broader ecosystem of learning, mentorship, and collaboration. Applicants are advised to review the official funding manual for detailed requirements.