Funding for Youth-Led Climate Action

About this call

Young Africans are already leading climate solutions in their communities. They build green businesses, organize their peers, collect the data and push for better policies. Yet youth-led groups receive less than 1% of climate finance, and many funders still find it hard to trust them with direct funding.

The Africa Youth Climate Fund (AYCF) exists to change that. We are a youth-led climate fund hosted by the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO). Our first Call for Proposals opens at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, on 10 November 2026.

Our approach rests on three ideas:

• Trust. We start from trust, not suspicion. We keep paperwork in proportion to the grant and build the relationship as we go.
• Participatory grantmaking. Young people sit on the panel that reviews applications. Decisions are made by young people, for young people.
• Shifting power. Money moves closer to the people nearest the impacts of climate change, and they decide how best to use it.

Grants available

• $5,000: a focused community initiative, a new idea or a small project. A good fit if you want to start or test a new idea in your community.
• $10,000: strengthening or expanding an initiative. A good fit if you want to build on work you already do, or reach more people.
• $20,000: a larger initiative that needs more resources and coordination. A good fit if you want to work across several activities, communities or partners.

Not sure which size fits? Write to us at jambo@aycf.org and we will help you choose.

Three thematic pillars (choose one)

Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Green Transition: youth-led enterprises and innovations that create green jobs, strengthen local resilience and support Africa’s just and inclusive green transition.

Youth Leadership, Solidarity & Movement-Building: youth networks, coalitions and collective action that amplify marginalized voices and influence climate policy, governance and investment.

Research, Evidence & Learning: youth-led research and learning that inform policy, improve programmes and strengthen accountability.

Who can apply

• Youth-led climate organizations and groups based in Africa.
• Registered organizations, and groups whose registration is in progress.
• Informal and unregistered youth groups, through a fiscal sponsor (a registered organization that receives and manages the grant for you). You can bring your own, or ask us to help you find one.
• Groups led by young women, and groups working with communities that are often left out, are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to apply

• Read these guidelines and choose your grant size and thematic pillar.
• Click “Apply now” and create your free account on the AYCF application portal.
• Fill in the short Grant Concept Note: tell us about your group and describe your idea in three sentences (what you will do, with whom, and what will change).
• Complete the full application for your grant category.
• Submit before 15 January 2027. You will receive a confirmation email.

What happens after you apply

• Eligibility check: we check every application against the criteria.
• Youth-for-youth review: a panel of young people reviews eligible applications and recommends who to fund.
• Getting to know you: checks that match the size of the grant. Small grants mean light checks.
• Agreement and funding: we sign an agreement and release funding in tranches.
• Support along the way: AYCF walks with you during your project. We are partners, not just funders.

Good to know

• Applying is free. AYCF will never ask you to pay a fee. If anyone asks you for money in AYCF’s name, please report it to jambo@aycf.org
• Questions or problems with the portal? Email jambo@aycf.org