OYEP Small Grants Programme to Empower the Youth

Deadline: 14-Aug-2026

The OECS Youth Empowerment Project (OYEP) Small Grants Programme provides financial support to youth-led organisations and community groups across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Member States. The programme awards 14 grants of USD 5,000 each to support youth-driven projects focused on education, health, culture, entrepreneurship, youth protection, citizenship, and environmental sustainability.

The initiative is implemented by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission’s Human and Social Division with financial support from UNICEF. It aims to strengthen youth leadership, encourage community participation, and support innovative solutions to regional development challenges.

Overview of the OECS Youth Empowerment Project Small Grants Programme

The OECS Youth Empowerment Project (OYEP) Small Grants Programme is a funding opportunity designed to support youth-led initiatives that create positive social, economic, cultural, and environmental change across OECS Member States.

The programme enables young people to:

Design and implement community-based projects.
Address challenges affecting youth and local communities.
Develop leadership and project management skills.
Promote sustainable development.
Strengthen youth participation in decision-making.

The programme forms part of the broader OECS Youth Empowerment Strategy, which focuses on creating opportunities for young people across the nine English-speaking OECS Member States.

Purpose and Objectives of the Programme

The main objective of the OYEP Small Grants Programme is to empower young people by providing financial resources for community initiatives.

The programme aims to:

Increase youth leadership and participation.
Support innovative youth solutions.
Improve access to opportunities for young people.
Strengthen community resilience.
Promote inclusive and sustainable development.

Through grant support, youth organisations can transform ideas into practical projects that benefit communities.

Priority Areas Supported by OYEP

Projects must align with one or more of the seven priority areas under the OECS Youth Empowerment Strategy.

YES I LEARN – Education and Training

Supports initiatives that improve:

Education opportunities.
Skills development.
Training programmes.
Digital and vocational learning.

Examples include youth training workshops, learning support programmes, and career development activities.

YES I MOVE – Healthy Lifestyles

Supports projects promoting:

Physical health.
Mental wellbeing.
Healthy lifestyle choices.
Sports and recreation activities.

YES I BELONG – Citizenship and Identity

Supports initiatives that encourage:

Youth participation.
Cultural identity.
Community engagement.
Civic responsibility.

YES I MATTER – Child and Youth Protection

Supports projects focused on:

Child protection.
Youth safety.
Prevention of violence.
Support for vulnerable young people.

YES I EXPRESS – Creativity and Culture

Supports activities related to:

Arts and creativity.
Cultural expression.
Heritage preservation.
Youth talent development.

YES I EARN – Employment and Entrepreneurship

Supports initiatives that promote:

Entrepreneurship skills.
Business development.
Employment readiness.
Youth economic empowerment.

YES I INHERIT – Environment and Sustainable Development

Supports projects related to:

Environmental protection.
Climate action.
Sustainable communities.
Conservation initiatives.

Funding Details

The programme will provide:

Number of grants: 14 grants.
Grant amount: USD 5,000 per selected project.
Total funding available: USD 70,000.

Grant funds will be managed and distributed by UNICEF on behalf of the OECS Commission following financial accountability and reporting requirements.

Who Is Eligible?

The programme is open to:

Youth-led organisations.
Registered organisations implementing youth-led initiatives.
Unregistered youth groups operating under recognised institutions.

Eligible applicants must operate within OECS Member States.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate:

The project is youth-led.
The initiative is led by young people aged 18–29.
The project benefits young people aged 15–29.
Activities align with one or more OYEP priority areas.
The project contributes to community development.

Eligibility for Youth-Led Organisations

Registered youth-led organisations must:

Have young people as the majority of leaders.
Include youth representatives in decision-making roles.
Demonstrate youth ownership of the project.

Eligibility for Other Registered Organisations

Registered organisations that are not youth-led may apply if they:

Appoint a young person aged 18–29 as the project leader.
Provide management support.
Accept responsibility for grant management and reporting.

Eligibility for Unregistered Youth Groups

Unregistered groups such as:

Youth clubs.
Student councils.
Community youth groups.

can apply if they operate under a recognised institution.

They must provide:

Written institutional endorsement.
Confirmation of organisational support.
Acceptance of financial responsibility by the host institution.

Recognised host institutions may include:

Schools.
Colleges.
Faith-based organisations.
Community organisations.

Why This Programme Matters

Youth represent an important force for social and economic progress. However, many young people face challenges related to employment, education, skills development, and community participation.

The OYEP Small Grants Programme helps address these challenges by:

Supporting youth innovation.
Encouraging leadership development.
Creating community-based solutions.
Building stronger youth networks.
Promoting sustainable development.

The programme ensures young people are not only beneficiaries but also active contributors to regional progress.

Examples of Eligible Youth-Led Projects

Potential projects may include:

Digital literacy and technology training.
Youth entrepreneurship programmes.
Environmental awareness campaigns.
Community health initiatives.
Cultural and artistic activities.
Youth mentoring programmes.
Skills development workshops.
Climate resilience projects.

How the Programme Works

Step 1: Identify a Community Challenge

Applicants should identify a specific issue affecting young people or communities.

Examples:

Lack of employment opportunities.
Limited skills training.
Environmental problems.
Social exclusion.

Step 2: Develop a Youth-Led Solution

Applicants should design a project that:

Has clear objectives.
Includes youth leadership.
Provides measurable benefits.
Matches OYEP priority themes.

Step 3: Prepare the Application

Applicants should include:

Organisation details.
Project description.
Target beneficiaries.
Implementation plan.
Expected outcomes.
Budget information.

Step 4: Submit Supporting Documents

Required documents may include:

Proof of registration (for registered organisations).
Leadership information.
Institutional endorsement letter (for unregistered groups).
Financial accountability information.

Application Tips

Applicants should:

Clearly explain how young people lead the initiative.
Show direct benefits for youth aged 15–29.
Connect the project with OECS priorities.
Provide realistic budgets.
Include measurable results.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Submitting projects without youth leadership.
Proposing activities unrelated to OYEP themes.
Failing to provide institutional approval.
Providing unclear budgets.
Not explaining community impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the OECS Youth Empowerment Project Small Grants Programme?

It is a grant programme that provides financial support to youth-led projects across OECS Member States to strengthen communities and address development challenges.

How much funding does each project receive?

Each selected project receives USD 5,000.

How many projects will receive funding?

A total of 14 youth-led initiatives will receive grants.

Who can apply for OYEP grants?

Youth-led organisations, registered organisations implementing youth projects, and approved unregistered youth groups can apply.

What age group must lead the project?

Projects must be led by young people aged 18–29.

Can unregistered youth groups apply?

Yes. They must operate under a recognised institution and submit an Institutional Endorsement Letter.

What types of activities are supported?

The programme supports projects related to education, health, youth protection, culture, entrepreneurship, citizenship, and environmental sustainability.

Conclusion

The OECS Youth Empowerment Project (OYEP) Small Grants Programme provides young people with the resources and opportunity to lead meaningful community initiatives. By supporting youth-driven solutions in education, health, culture, entrepreneurship, protection, and environmental sustainability, the programme strengthens youth participation and contributes to sustainable development across the OECS region.

For more information, visit OECS.