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Creating Opportunities for Youth and Women in Africa

Deadline: 30-Nov-2025

AUDA-NEPAD has launched a call for proposals to support initiatives that promote socio-economic inclusion, transformative leadership, and gender equality in Africa. Civil society organizations, women-led and youth-led enterprises, and public institutions can apply for grants of up to €120,000 over 24 months to implement projects addressing leadership, gender-based violence prevention, and sexual and reproductive health rights.

Overview of the Funding Opportunity

The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) invites proposals aimed at empowering women and youth in politics, business, and communities. The initiative prioritizes projects that:

  • Promote socio-economic inclusion

  • Foster transformative leadership

  • Advance gender equality and women’s empowerment

  • Prevent Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

  • Support Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)

The program allocates a total indicative funding of €1,800,000, with each participating Regional Economic Community (REC) eligible for up to €360,000 over a 24-month implementation period. Individual grants may range from €0 to €120,000, based on project quality and alignment with program objectives.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

  • Legally registered Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in AU member states

  • Women-led and youth-led enterprises, associations, cooperatives, or communities

  • Public institutions supporting youth empowerment and promoting gender equality

  • Organizations operating within selected RECs, including:

    • East African Community (EAC)

    • Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)

    • Southern African Development Community (SADC)

    • Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

    • Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)

Key Focus Areas

Projects should focus on one or more of the following thematic areas:

  1. Transformative Leadership – Building the leadership capacity of women and youth in political, business, and community settings

  2. Socio-Economic Inclusion – Supporting women and youth participation in economic activities, entrepreneurship, and skills development

  3. Gender Equality and GBV Prevention – Initiatives to prevent gender-based violence and promote women’s rights

  4. Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) – Enhancing access to SRHR services and awareness

Grant Details

  • Total indicative funding: €1,800,000

  • Funding per REC: up to €360,000

  • Individual grant size: up to €120,000

  • Implementation period: 24 months

  • Budgets and work plans must align with the scope, objectives, and duration of activities

  • AUDA-NEPAD reserves the right to adjust allocations depending on application quality

How to Apply

  1. Ensure your organization meets eligibility criteria

  2. Prepare a detailed project proposal aligned with program objectives

  3. Include a comprehensive budget and work plan for the 24-month period

  4. Submit through the official AUDA-NEPAD application portal (check the call announcement for links and deadlines)

  5. Ensure your proposal clearly demonstrates potential impact on women, youth, and community empowerment

Tips for a Strong Application

  • Highlight measurable outcomes for women and youth empowerment

  • Demonstrate organizational capacity and past project experience

  • Ensure proposed activities are feasible within the 24-month period

  • Align budgets clearly with planned activities and objectives

  • Show innovative approaches to address GBV and socio-economic inclusion

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Which countries are eligible for this call?
A1: Eligible countries are members of the selected RECs: EAC, COMESA, SADC, ECOWAS, and ECCAS.

Q2: Who can submit proposals?
A2: CSOs, women-led or youth-led enterprises, associations, cooperatives, communities, and public institutions supporting youth and gender equality.

Q3: What is the maximum grant amount?
A3: Individual grants may be up to €120,000.

Q4: How long can projects run?
A4: Projects must be implemented within a 24-month period.

Q5: Are there restrictions on fund allocation?
A5: AUDA-NEPAD may adjust allocations depending on application quality and alignment with objectives.

Q6: What thematic areas are prioritized?
A6: Transformative leadership, socio-economic inclusion, gender equality and GBV prevention, and SRHR initiatives.

Why It Matters

This AUDA-NEPAD initiative empowers women and youth across Africa by strengthening leadership, promoting socio-economic participation, and addressing systemic barriers such as gender-based violence. By funding innovative and inclusive projects, it helps build equitable communities and fosters sustainable development across the continent.

For more information, visit AUDA.