Deadline: 15-Aug-25
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) has launched the 11th edition of its Youth Solidarity Fund (YSF), reaffirming its commitment to empowering young people as agents of peace and social transformation.
The Fund supports youth-led organizations that promote mutual understanding, intercultural dialogue, and social inclusion, particularly in regions affected by conflict, extremism, and identity-based discrimination.
Through this initiative, UNAOC seeks to enhance the role of young people in building bridges across cultures and religions, while tackling the root causes of polarization and violence.
Now in its eleventh cycle, the Youth Solidarity Fund continues to prioritize projects that encourage respect for religious and cultural diversity and the peaceful coexistence of communities.
Youth-led organizations that address rising intolerance, hate speech, and extremism are especially encouraged to apply.
The program also contributes to global peace and development agendas by integrating young people into the implementation of international policy frameworks.
The 2025 edition of the Fund places special emphasis on projects that align with key United Nations frameworks.
This includes the UN Security Council Resolutions on Youth, Peace, and Security—Resolutions 2250, 2419, and 2535—which acknowledge the vital role of youth in preventing conflict and sustaining peace.
It also supports projects contributing to the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, particularly those that enhance women’s participation in peacebuilding processes, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and its subsequent resolutions.
Additionally, the Fund promotes projects aligned with the UN Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, particularly those using intercultural and interfaith dialogue as tools to prevent radicalization.
It welcomes initiatives supporting the UN’s Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, as well as the Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites, both of which emphasize protecting vulnerable communities and promoting peaceful religious coexistence.
Successful applicants will receive seed funding of up to USD 25,000 to implement their projects within a 12-month period. The funding aims to support youth organizations that are piloting innovative approaches to peacebuilding, social cohesion, and community engagement at the grassroots level.
Projects should be entirely youth-led, from conceptualization to execution, and must demonstrate a clear benefit to the broader community, particularly other young people.
To be considered for funding, organizations must meet several criteria. They must be legally registered as nonprofit, nongovernmental entities and must have been operational for at least two years prior to applying.
Eligible organizations must be based in one of the countries listed by UNAOC, which includes a wide range of low- and middle-income nations from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Crucially, the organization’s leadership structure must be youth-driven, with the majority of decision-making roles held by individuals between the ages of 18 and 35.
UNAOC places great importance on the quality and impact of the proposed projects. Proposals are expected to demonstrate thoughtful planning, including a sound understanding of local issues, achievable goals, and a well-structured implementation strategy.
Applications should also reflect good governance, with clear evidence of monitoring, evaluation, and accountability practices. The Fund values initiatives that not only provide immediate community benefits but also have the potential for long-term influence and replication.
In addition to the project proposal, applicants must submit supporting documents including proof of legal registration, governing documents (such as by-laws), an organizational chart showing the age of leadership team members, a biography of the executive director, and the resume and identification of the project coordinator.
These materials help ensure that the projects are genuinely youth-led and have the capacity to manage funding responsibly.
UNAOC’s Youth Solidarity Fund stands as a vital platform for nurturing grassroots leadership and innovation. As youth face mounting global challenges—from systemic inequalities to cultural and religious polarization—initiatives like YSF provide the tools, recognition, and support they need to create change.
Over the years, the Fund has helped dozens of youth-led organizations amplify their impact and develop sustainable peacebuilding models in their communities.
Applications are now being accepted for the current cycle.
Youth-led organizations that are ready to take bold, inclusive, and transformative action in their communities are encouraged to apply. More information, including application guidelines and deadlines, can be found on the UNAOC website.
Eligible Countries
Afghanistan; Albania; Algeria; Angola; Argentina; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bangladesh; Belarus; Belize; Benin; Bhutan; Plurinational State of Bolivia; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Botswana; Brazil; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cabo Verde; Cambodia; Cameroon; Central African Republic; Chad; China; Colombia; Comoros; Congo; Costa Rica; Côte DIvoire; Cuba; Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Djibouti; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; Egypt; El Salvador; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Eswatini; Ethiopia; Fiji; Gabon; Republic of the Gambia; Georgia; Ghana; Grenada; Guatemala; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Haiti; Honduras; India; Indonesia; Islamic Republic of Iran; Iraq; Jamaica; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Kiribati; Kosovo; Kyrgyzstan; Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Lebanon; Lesotho; Liberia; Libya; Madagascar; Malawi; Malaysia; Maldives; Mali; Marshall Islands; Mauritania; Mauritius; Mexico; Federal States of Micronesia; Republic of Moldova; Mongolia; Montenegro; Morocco; Mozambique; Myanmar; Namibia; Nauru; Nepal; Nicaragua; Niger; Nigeria; North Macedonia; Pakistan; Palau; State of Palestine; Panama; Papua New Guinea; Paraguay; Peru; Philippines; Rwanda; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Senegal; Serbia; Sierra Leone; Solomon Islands; Somalia; South Africa; South Sudan; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Suriname; Syrian Arab Republic; Tajikistan; United Republic of Tanzania; Thailand; Timor-Leste; Togo; Tonga; Tunisia; Türkiye; Turkmenistan; Tuvalu; Uganda; Ukraine; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu; Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; Viet Nam; Yemen; Zambia; Zimbabwe.
For more information, visit UNAOC.
How to Successfully Apply for the Youth Solidarity Fund 2025 and Lead Meaningful Change
