Deadline: 01-Sep-2026
The European Youth Foundation (EYF) of the Council of Europe is inviting applications for Ad Hoc Youth Initiatives that promote democracy, human rights, and active youth participation. Eligible youth organisations can apply for grants of up to €8,000 to implement educational and awareness-raising projects that strengthen democratic citizenship, critical thinking, and civic engagement among young people.
About the European Youth Foundation Ad Hoc Youth Initiatives
The European Youth Foundation (EYF) supports youth-led initiatives that help young people understand democracy, human rights, and democratic participation while responding to current challenges facing democratic societies across Europe.
The programme funds innovative educational and awareness-raising projects that empower young people to develop critical thinking, strengthen democratic values, and become active participants in civic and political life.
Projects should combine learning with practical opportunities for youth participation and contribute to stronger, more inclusive democratic communities.
Funding Information
The programme provides the following financial support:
- Maximum Grant Amount: €8,000
- Project Duration: Up to 6 months
- Project Start Period: Between 1 October and 31 December 2026
- Reporting Deadline: Within 2 months after project completion
Applicants must prepare a realistic and cost-effective budget that directly supports the proposed activities.
Programme Objectives
The initiative aims to:
- Promote democracy among young people.
- Strengthen understanding of human rights.
- Encourage active democratic participation.
- Develop critical thinking skills.
- Promote democratic citizenship.
- Build resilience against misinformation and disinformation.
- Encourage civic engagement.
- Strengthen participation in democratic processes.
- Support inclusive youth participation.
Key Focus Areas
Projects should address one or more of the following:
- Democracy education
- Human rights education
- Education for democratic citizenship
- Critical thinking
- Civic participation
- Youth engagement
- Misinformation
- Disinformation
- Fake news
- Digital democracy
- Political participation
- Barriers to voting
- Youth participation in governance
- Democratic culture
Applicants should clearly explain how their project responds to current democratic challenges affecting young people.
Eligible Activities
The programme supports activities such as:
- Workshops
- Training programmes
- Awareness-raising campaigns
- Educational events
- Community engagement initiatives
- Youth dialogue activities
- Civic education programmes
- Human rights education sessions
- Democratic participation projects
Activities should directly engage young people in learning and participation.
Project Requirements
Eligible projects should:
- Respond to challenges affecting youth participation in democracy.
- Promote critical thinking.
- Encourage active citizenship.
- Use innovative educational approaches.
- Demonstrate added value through their methodology or thematic focus.
- Deliver measurable benefits for young people and local communities.
- Combine education with practical civic engagement opportunities.
Projects should clearly explain their expected outcomes and community impact.
Who is Eligible?
Applicants should meet the programme’s eligibility requirements established by the European Youth Foundation.
Projects must:
- Involve young people with limited previous opportunities to participate in similar initiatives.
- Primarily benefit young people residing in Council of Europe member States.
- Meet all participation and project requirements.
Participant Requirements
Projects must ensure that:
- At least 75% of participants are 30 years of age or younger.
- Participants reside in at least one Council of Europe member State.
- Participation from other countries is clearly justified where applicable.
- Young people with disabilities are actively included.
- Gender equality is promoted.
- Social inclusion is integrated throughout the project.
Applications that fail to meet these participation requirements will not be considered.
Budget Requirements
Applicants may request funding of up to €8,000.
The project budget must be:
- Clear
- Accurate
- Complete
- Cost-effective
- Directly linked to project activities
Applicants are also expected to contribute to the project through:
- Financial contributions
- Human resources
- Volunteer support
- In-kind contributions
- Third-party support
Project Timeline
Projects must:
- Begin between 1 October and 31 December 2026.
- Be completed within 6 months.
- Submit the required final report within 2 months after project completion.
Projects completed before the application is submitted are not eligible.
How to Apply
Step 1: Develop Your Project Idea
Design a project that:
- Promotes democracy.
- Strengthens human rights education.
- Encourages active youth participation.
- Responds to current democratic challenges.
Step 2: Identify the Target Group
Ensure your project primarily involves:
- Young people aged 30 years or younger.
- Participants with limited previous access to similar opportunities.
- Diverse and inclusive participant groups.
Step 3: Prepare the Project Proposal
Clearly explain:
- The identified problem.
- Project objectives.
- Planned activities.
- Expected outcomes.
- Innovation and added value.
- Community impact.
Step 4: Prepare the Budget
Develop a realistic budget that:
- Reflects planned activities.
- Demonstrates value for money.
- Includes your own organisational contribution where applicable.
Step 5: Submit the Application
Submit a complete application before the deadline, ensuring all eligibility, participation, and budget requirements are satisfied.
Why This Grant Matters
Young people play a vital role in strengthening democratic societies.
This programme helps:
- Increase civic participation.
- Improve democratic literacy.
- Build critical thinking skills.
- Combat misinformation.
- Promote human rights.
- Strengthen youth leadership.
- Encourage social inclusion.
- Build resilient democratic communities.
By supporting youth-led initiatives, the programme contributes to stronger democratic engagement across Europe.
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants can improve their chances by:
- Clearly identifying the democratic challenge being addressed.
- Demonstrating innovative educational methods.
- Showing strong community impact.
- Including meaningful youth participation.
- Promoting diversity and inclusion.
- Preparing a realistic and detailed budget.
- Explaining how activities will strengthen democratic citizenship.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common application errors:
- Proposing projects unrelated to democracy or human rights.
- Failing to explain the project’s relevance.
- Not meeting participant eligibility requirements.
- Excluding young people with disabilities or failing to address inclusion.
- Preparing unrealistic budgets.
- Starting the project before the approved implementation period.
- Failing to include organisational contributions.
- Submitting projects completed before the application date.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the European Youth Foundation Ad Hoc Youth Initiatives programme?
It is a grant programme that supports youth projects promoting democracy, human rights, democratic citizenship, and active participation among young people across Europe.
2. How much funding is available?
Applicants may request up to €8,000 per project.
3. What types of activities are eligible?
Eligible activities include workshops, training programmes, awareness campaigns, educational events, civic participation initiatives, and human rights education projects.
4. Who should participate in funded projects?
At least 75% of participants must be 30 years old or younger and reside in at least one Council of Europe member State. Projects should also include young people with disabilities and promote gender equality and social inclusion.
5. When must projects be implemented?
Projects must begin between 1 October and 31 December 2026, last no longer than six months, and submit final reports within two months after completion.
6. Are applicants required to contribute to the project?
Yes. Applicants are expected to contribute through financial resources, staff time, volunteer support, in-kind contributions, or support from third parties.
7. What makes a strong application?
Successful applications clearly demonstrate relevance to current democratic challenges, use innovative educational methods, promote meaningful youth participation, include diverse participants, and present a realistic budget linked to measurable project outcomes.
Conclusion
The European Youth Foundation Ad Hoc Youth Initiatives programme provides an excellent opportunity for youth organisations to deliver impactful projects that strengthen democracy, human rights, and active citizenship among young people. With grants of up to €8,000, the programme supports innovative educational initiatives that promote critical thinking, civic engagement, inclusion, and democratic participation. Organisations that develop well-designed, youth-centred projects with clear community impact and strong alignment with the programme objectives will be well positioned to secure funding.
For more information, visit COE.