Deadline: 08-Sep-2025
The Youth Challenge Fund Edition 4 is now open for applications, offering an empowering opportunity for girl-led and young feminist groups in West and Central Africa to bring their ideas for change to life.
This initiative, driven by Plan International, provides both financial and structural support to young activists committed to advancing gender equality and community transformation.
With grants ranging from €5,000 to €7,000, the program ensures that youth-led groups can design and implement impactful projects rooted in their realities. Proposals may focus on education, health, civic participation, environmental action, or community empowerment, as long as they reflect the priorities of young feminists in the region. The fund is deliberately flexible, accessible, and centered on youth ownership, enabling applicants to lead both the design and execution of their projects.
To be eligible, groups must be led primarily by girls, women, and people who identify as trans, non-binary, intersex, or gender non-conforming between the ages of 15 and 30. Priority will be given to groups led by young feminists between 15 and 24. Applicants must also have an annual budget of less than €50,000, operate independently from government, political, religious, and corporate bodies, and focus on at least one of the fund’s priority areas. If selected, organizations will need to undergo a simple verification process, including providing references, registration documents if available, and identification from two representatives.
Applications are open to groups in several countries across the region, with specific grant allocations per country. For example, Nigeria has eight available grants, Ghana and Cameroon each have five, while Liberia has four. Smaller allocations are available in countries such as Togo, Niger, and Sierra Leone. Additionally, in Chad and Senegal, only education-focused projects are eligible.
Youth Challenge Fund Round 4 also includes dedicated funding for education projects. This stream supports up to eight girl- and youth-led groups working to address barriers to education and gender equality. Successful applicants can receive up to €5,000 for new initiatives or €7,000 for re-grants, with one education grant available per country office. Projects must be gender-transformative, tackling deep-rooted issues such as school-related gender-based violence, gender stereotypes, low representation of girls in STEM, limited leadership opportunities, and challenges faced by young mothers or married girls. Education-focused projects are also expected to deliver additional reporting, particularly on youth-led and digital initiatives.
Applications can be submitted in English or French through the Equality Accelerator platform, with the requirement that each group includes at least three members. Whether described as collectives, networks, or organizations, what matters most is that they are led by young feminists with a vision for change. By participating, groups will not only secure funding but also contribute to a broader movement advancing gender justice and youth empowerment across West and Central Africa.
For more information, visit Plan International.
