AU–EU Youth Action Lab Entrepreneurship Grants 2026
Job Description
Funding for Youth-Led Social Enterprises in Africa
Young African organisations and social enterprises aiming to grow impactful ventures now have a major opportunity through the AU–EU Youth Action Lab’s Entrepreneurship Grants 2026.
The programme supports youth-led organisations that combine a social or environmental mission with a sustainable business model, providing funding, mentoring, and capacity-building support to help them scale.
This grant is especially relevant for youth-led groups working on-
• Social entrepreneurship
• Community development
• Green / environmental ventures
• Youth employment and livelihood projects
What the Grant Offers
Successful applicants can receive-
• €30,000 – €50,000 in funding to scale their youth-led social enterprise
• Mentorship and capacity-building support to strengthen organisational and financial capacity
• Networking opportunities across Africa and Europe, ideal for partnerships and future collaborations
• A chance to join a community of youth-led organisations working at the intersection of impact and sustainable business
Who Can Apply (Eligibility Criteria)
Your organisation or social enterprise should-
• Be youth-led – decision-makers and core staff are 18–35 years old
• Be legally registered in one of these eligible African countries
Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia (Somaliland), Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe
• Be a non-profit / NGO / CBO / Cooperative / Social Enterprise with a clear social or environmental mission (not a purely for-profit business)
• Have been operating for at least 12 months, with
o A formal governance structure
o A bank account
o Some evidence of income-generating activity or financial sustainability
• Demonstrate clear social or environmental impact, e.g.
o Youth employment
o Community services
o Environmental benefits
o Affordable access to services
o Improved livelihoods
Not eligible-
• Purely for-profit SMEs with no explicit social mission
• NGOs that are only donor-funded with no enterprise or revenue-generating arm
Grant Focus & Scope
The 2026 call focuses on the
Responsible growth of youth-led social enterprises – enterprises with a clear social/environmental mission and a sustainable, income-generating model.
Projects can be in areas such as
• Education & skills development
• Climate action & environmental sustainability
• Health & wellbeing
• Youth employment and livelihoods
• Community development
• Green and circular economy initiatives
Basically, any initiative that combines impact with business viability.
How to Apply & Key Dates
• Applications open- With the 2025 call launch (announced November 2025)
• Deadline- 7 January 2026 for Entrepreneurship (and Innovation / Representation) grants
• Grant duration- 12 months
Application Steps
1. Visit the Youth Action Lab grants page and select Entrepreneurship Grants.
2. Carefully read the Funding Manual (available in English, French, and Portuguese).
3. Prepare your proposal, clearly explaining:
o Your enterprise and its business model
o The social/environmental impact you’re creating
o How you plan to sustain operations beyond the grant
4. Gather required documentation:
o Proof of registration
o Governance details and structure
o Evidence of prior income or revenue-generating activity
o Team description (including ages and roles to show youth leadership)
5. Submit your application via the ON Grip platform before 7 January 2026.
Tips for a Strong Application
• Show clear impact
Spell out measurable outcomes
o Number of youths employed
o Communities served
o Environmental gains (e.g. waste reduced, trees planted, emissions avoided)
• Demonstrate financial sustainability
Show current or planned revenue streams, pricing models, and how you’ll reduce dependence on grants over time.
• Highlight youth leadership
Emphasise that core decision-makers and staff are 18–35, and show how young people drive strategy and operations.
• Show solid governance & transparency
Mention your:
o Bank account
o Legal registration
o Internal controls
o Monitoring and evaluation / impact tracking mechanisms
• Explain scalability
How will you grow or replicate your model? Can it be expanded to more communities, scaled across regions, or diversified?
• Follow the Funding Manual closely
Use the official budget templates and formats. Applications that ignore required formats can be disqualified, even if the idea is strong.
Why This Grant Matters
The AU–EU Youth Action Lab Entrepreneurship Grants is one of the most structured, high-value opportunities for youth-led social enterprises across multiple African countries because
• It offers €30,000–€50,000, large enough to meaningfully scale a social enterprise.
• It prioritises mission-driven enterprises, not just profit-driven startups.
• It requires youth leadership, putting decision-making power in the hands of young Africans.
• It connects grantees to networks across Africa and Europe – opening doors for visibility, collaboration, and engagement with policymakers and partners.
