Deadline Date: January 07, 2026
The Entrepreneurship Grants present a significant opportunity for youth-led organisations committed to driving social and economic change in their communities.
These grants are designed to strengthen the responsible growth of youth-led social enterprises by addressing specific gaps within their operating environments. At the same time, they encourage organisations to share their experiences and insights with other youth actors, helping to build strong networks and inspire collaboration across different contexts. Through this programme, youth innovators are supported not just financially but also through the collective learning and connections that help sustain long-term impact.
With funding opportunities of up to 30,000 euros, the programme enables both individual youth organisations and consortiums to develop and expand initiatives that create meaningful economic opportunities for young people. This support is particularly aimed at organisations that are actively improving livelihoods, fostering employment or offering affordable and essential services within their communities. By investing in these enterprises, the grants help uplift young leaders who are shaping sustainable solutions and driving community development across Africa.
To be eligible for this opportunity, organisations must operate as non-profit entities such as trusts, community-based organisations, NGOs, civil society organisations or cooperatives with a clear social or environmental mission. Their enterprise activities must exist primarily to advance this mission rather than serve as a side business. Beyond organisational structure, youth leadership is essential. The governance of the organisation must be fully in the hands of young people aged 18 to 35, and the majority of those involved in programme design and implementation must also fall within this age range. All project staff responsible for carrying out the proposed activities must be young people as well.
Eligible organisations must also be formally registered, have an established bank account, maintain a clear governance system and have been operating for at least a year. They need to demonstrate a track record of community programmes and revenue-generating activities, including a trading arm or enterprise that supports financial sustainability. Impact is another key requirement, as applicants must show measurable social or environmental outcomes such as improved livelihoods, youth employment or environmental benefits, along with basic systems to track and report these results. Additionally, all or most of the organisation’s profits must be reinvested into its mission rather than distributed to private shareholders.
Finally, both the organisation and its project activities must be based in one or more of the twelve African Youth Action Lab focus countries, which include Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, the Somaliland region of Somalia, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. This geographic focus ensures the grants directly support youth-led initiatives in regions where young entrepreneurs are driving meaningful social impact. Through this opportunity, the Entrepreneurship Grants serve as a powerful tool for empowering young leaders, strengthening community enterprises and expanding economic opportunities for youth across the continent.
