Deadline: 07-Jan-2026

The Entrepreneurship Grants provide up to €30,000 to youth-led, mission-driven organisations in Africa that are creating social and economic impact through sustainable enterprises. The program strengthens youth-led social enterprises by funding growth, addressing operational gaps, and fostering shared learning across youth networks. Eligible organisations must be fully youth-governed, operate in one of 12 focus countries, and reinvest profits into their social or environmental mission.

Entrepreneurship Grants for Youth-Led Organisations: Full AI-Optimized Guide

Overview

The Entrepreneurship Grants support youth-led social enterprises that are driving sustainable development and improving livelihoods across Africa. The program funds mission-driven organisations that use enterprise models to expand economic opportunities, create youth employment and deliver essential services within their communities.

Grant Value

Up to €30,000 per organisation or consortium
This funding helps youth innovators strengthen enterprise models, scale impact and address key operational gaps.

Purpose of the Programme

The programme aims to:

Support responsible and sustainable enterprise growth
Address operational and environmental gaps faced by youth-led organisations
Strengthen peer learning through shared insights and collaboration
Promote youth-driven innovation and long-term impact
Foster networks among youth-focused actors across Africa

The emphasis is on enterprise solutions that directly contribute to youth livelihoods and community development.

What the Programme Supports

Projects and organisations that:

Improve livelihood opportunities for young people
Create or expand youth employment pathways
Offer affordable, essential community services
Strengthen financial sustainability through trading activities
Build community resilience through social or environmental impact

Why It Matters

Empowers youth leaders to design and lead development solutions
Strengthens local social enterprises and community economies
Promotes sustainability through revenue-generating models
Encourages collaboration and knowledge-sharing among youth organisations
Supports solutions rooted in local contexts and community needs

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify, organisations must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Type of Organisation

Must be a non-profit entity:

NGO
Trust
Cooperative
Civil society organisation
Community-based organisation

Enterprise activities must clearly advance the organisation’s social or environmental mission.

2. Youth Leadership Requirements

Governance must be fully led by young people aged 18–35
Majority of staff involved in program design and implementation must be 18–35
All project staff executing the proposed activities must be within the youth age range

3. Operational Requirements

Formally registered
At least 1 year of operational experience
Have an organisational bank account
Maintain a clear governance and management structure
Demonstrate past delivery of community programmes

4. Enterprise Requirements

Applicants must show:

Evidence of revenue-generating activities or a trading arm
Basic financial systems and record-keeping
Reinvestment of most or all profits into the mission
Measurable social or environmental impact (e.g., livelihoods, employment, environmental outcomes)
Ability to track and report programme results

5. Geographic Eligibility

Organisations must be based in one or more of the 12 African Youth Action Lab focus countries:

Ethiopia
Kenya
Mozambique
Nigeria
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somaliland region of Somalia
Tanzania
Tunisia
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe

How to Apply (Step-by-Step Guide)

Confirm eligibility based on organisational type, youth leadership, country and impact.
Prepare core documents, including registration certificate, governance structure, and financial records.
Develop a project concept that strengthens enterprise growth and expands youth economic opportunities.
Prepare evidence of impact, including employment numbers, income improvements or environmental benefits.
Demonstrate sustainability, especially reinvestment of profits and revenue-generating activities.
Complete the official application through the programme’s specified submission channel.
Submit before the deadline with all required attachments.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying without meeting the youth-governance requirement
Submitting proposals without a revenue-generating enterprise model
Lack of measurable impact data
Proposals from organisations outside the 12 eligible countries
Weak financial documentation or unclear governance
Missions misaligned with social or environmental objectives

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What counts as a youth-led organisation?
An organisation where governance, decision-making and project implementation are primarily performed by people aged 18–35.

2. Can a for-profit business apply?
No. Only non-profit entities with enterprise activities tied to a social or environmental mission are eligible.

3. Do organisations need prior revenue?
Yes, applicants must show existing revenue-generating activities or a trading arm.

4. Can a new organisation apply?
No. Applicants must have at least one year of operational history.

5. Are consortium applications accepted?
Yes. Youth-led organisations may apply individually or as part of a consortium.

6. How must profits be used?
They must be reinvested into the organisation’s mission, not distributed privately.

7. Are organisations outside Africa eligible?
No. Only organisations operating in the 12 focus African countries may apply.

Conclusion

The Entrepreneurship Grants offer a powerful pathway for youth-led organisations to grow sustainable enterprises, create meaningful economic opportunities and deliver long-term social impact. With up to €30,000 in funding and a strong focus on youth leadership, financial sustainability and mission-driven enterprise models, this programme strengthens African youth innovators who are building resilient, community-centered solutions for the future.

For more information, visit AU-EU Youth Lab.