AU–EU Youth Action Lab Entrepreneurship Grant 2025/2026

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AU–EU Youth Action Lab Entrepreneurship Grant 2025/2026: Apply for Up to €30,000 in Funding 

Applications are now open for the AU–EU Youth Action Lab Entrepreneurship Grant 2025/2026, a major funding opportunity designed to support youth-led social enterprises across Africa and Europe. This grant offers up to €30,000 to eligible youth organisations that are creating sustainable, income-generating solutions to address youth unemployment, economic exclusion, and social or environmental challenges.

The Entrepreneurship Grant is part of the broader African Union–European Union (AU–EU) Youth Action Lab, an initiative focused on empowering young people to drive economic transformation, innovation, and inclusive development within their communities.

If your organisation is youth-led, impact-driven, and committed to responsible entrepreneurship, this funding opportunity could help scale your work and strengthen your long-term sustainability.

About the AU–EU Youth Action Lab Entrepreneurship Grant

The AU–EU Youth Action Lab Entrepreneurship Grant is designed to support the responsible growth of youth-led social enterprises. These are organisations that combine a clear social or environmental mission with sustainable income-generating activities, ensuring long-term impact beyond donor funding.

The grant targets organisations that are not only creating jobs but also contributing to community resilience, environmental protection, and inclusive economic participation. Rather than supporting profit-maximisation models, the programme prioritises enterprises that reinvest earnings into their mission and community impact.

This funding round reflects a shared commitment by the African Union and European Union to place young people at the centre of economic development and innovation.

Why the AU–EU Youth Action Lab Grant Matters

Across Africa and Europe, young people continue to face significant barriers to meaningful economic participation. These include:

  • Limited access to startup and growth capital

  • Skills gaps aligned with labour market needs

  • Weak linkages between training, enterprise, and employment

  • Exclusion from decision-making and economic systems

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The AU–EU Youth Action Lab Entrepreneurship Grant directly addresses these challenges by supporting youth-designed and youth-led solutions. By investing in young social entrepreneurs, the programme helps:

  • Create sustainable jobs and livelihoods

  • Strengthen local economies

  • Promote responsible business practices

  • Reduce economic inequality and exclusion

  • Encourage innovation that respects social and environmental boundaries

This grant recognises that young people are not just beneficiaries of development—but key drivers of lasting change.

What the Grant Offers

Successful applicants to the AU–EU Youth Action Lab Entrepreneurship Grant will receive a combination of financial support, capacity development, and visibility.

1. Grant Funding of Up to €30,000

Selected organisations can receive up to 30,000 euros to implement or scale their proposed social enterprise projects. Funding can be used to strengthen operations, expand reach, develop products or services, and improve sustainability.

2. Mentorship and Capacity Development

Beyond funding, grantees benefit from tailored mentorship and organisational support, designed to:

  • Improve financial and operational sustainability

  • Strengthen governance and leadership

  • Enhance monitoring, evaluation, and impact measurement

  • Support responsible growth strategies

3. Access to the AU–EU Youth Action Lab Network

Successful organisations become part of a wider AU–EU Youth Action Lab platform, gaining:

  • Increased visibility at regional and international levels

  • Opportunities to share best practices with peers

  • Engagement with policymakers, funders, and development partners

  • Exposure across Africa–Europe youth innovation ecosystems

Who Can Apply for the AU–EU Youth Action Lab Entrepreneurship Grant?

The grant is open to youth-led organisations that meet clearly defined eligibility criteria.

Eligible Organisations

Applicants must be formally registered non-profit entities, including:

  • Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

  • Community-Based Organisations (CBOs)

  • Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)

  • Trusts

  • Cooperatives

  • Similar non-profit legal entities

The organisation must operate a social enterprise model, where income-generating activities directly support and advance a social or environmental mission. Side businesses that do not serve the mission are not eligible.

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Youth-Led Requirement

To qualify as youth-led:

  • Young people aged 18–35 must hold full governance and decision-making power

  • Youth must be actively involved in designing and implementing programmes

  • All staff working on the proposed project must also fall within the 18–35 age range

Operational Requirements

Eligible organisations must:

  • Be formally registered

  • Have an organisational bank account

  • Possess a clear governance structure

  • Have at least 12 months of operational experience

  • Demonstrate existing community programmes and income-generating activities

Applicants must also show measurable social or environmental impact and commit to reinvesting profits into the organisation’s mission or scaling efforts. Private shareholder profit distribution is not allowed.

Geographical Eligibility

Applicants must be registered and operating in one or more of the 12 AU–EU Youth Action Lab focus countries:

  • Ethiopia

  • Kenya

  • Mozambique

  • Nigeria

  • Senegal

  • Sierra Leone

  • Somalia (Somaliland region)

  • Tanzania

  • Tunisia

  • Uganda

  • Zambia

  • Zimbabwe

All proposed activities must take place within these eligible countries.

Eligible Activities Under the Grant

The AU–EU Youth Action Lab Entrepreneurship Grant supports a wide range of activities aimed at improving youth economic participation. Eligible proposals may include:

  • Developing or piloting new skills development curricula

  • Scaling existing skills training or employability programmes

  • Reaching underserved, rural, or marginalised youth populations

  • Strengthening partnerships between:

    • Youth-led organisations

    • Local businesses

    • Skills providers

    • Government institutions

  • Testing innovative business models that combine impact and income

Integrated, collaborative, and innovative approaches are strongly encouraged.

How to Apply for the AU–EU Youth Action Lab Entrepreneurship Grant

Interested organisations must submit their applications through the official AU–EU Youth Action Lab platform.

Application Steps

  1. Visit the official application page

  2. Review the eligibility and grant guidelines carefully

  3. Prepare a clear project proposal outlining:

    • Your organisation’s mission and activities

    • The income-generating model

    • The social or environmental problem being addressed

    • Expected outcomes and measurable impact

  4. Submit your application through the online portal

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Official Application Link

👉 https://aueuyouth.com/entrepreneurship-grants/

Applicants are encouraged to submit well-structured, realistic, and impact-driven proposals.

Tips for a Strong Application

  • Clearly show how your enterprise balances impact and income

  • Demonstrate youth leadership at every level of the organisation

  • Provide evidence of existing activities and community engagement

  • Explain how grant funding will strengthen sustainability

  • Highlight measurable outcomes and long-term impact

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the maximum grant amount?

Successful applicants can receive up to €30,000.

Is this grant only for Africa?

No. It supports youth organisations across selected African countries, with a broader Africa–Europe collaboration framework.

Can for-profit companies apply?

No. Only non-profit, youth-led organisations operating social enterprise models are eligible.

Do organisations need prior income-generating activities?

Yes. Applicants must show existing or established revenue-generating activities that support their mission.

Can one organisation apply alone?

Yes. Applications can be submitted by individual organisations or consortiums of youth organisations.

Final Thoughts

The AU–EU Youth Action Lab Entrepreneurship Grant 2025/2026 is a powerful opportunity for youth-led organisations to scale responsible, impact-driven enterprises. With funding of up to €30,000, mentorship support, and access to an international network, this grant empowers young people to take control of their economic futures while strengthening communities and protecting the environment.

If your organisation is youth-led, mission-driven, and ready to grow responsibly, this is a funding opportunity worth pursuing.

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