Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF)

Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF) is a grant from the European Union and the Global Youth Mobilization that funds youth-led community development projects in EU partner countries worldwide. Part of a €10 million pilot initiative launched in 2023, the fund provides micro-grants of €500 to €5,000 to support projects advancing Agenda 2030 sustainable development goals, including climate action, gender equality, education, and employment.

Eligible applicants are young people aged 14-30 and registered youth-led organizations in EU partner countries, with priority for marginalized and underrepresented communities. Applications close March 31, 2026.

Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF) - Global Youth Mobilization : Global Youth Mobilization The Youth Empowerment Fund Launched in October 2023 and implemented through the Big Six youth organisations, the €10 million pilot initiative provides youth-friendly funding for projets that contribute to the sustainable development of local communities.

The partnership marked the first anniversary of the Youth Action Plan for EU External Action, the EU’s policy framework for a strategic partnership with young people to build a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future.

As a flagship initiative of the Youth Action Plan, and designed by, with and for young people, the Youth Empowerment Fund provides and facilitates access to vital resources for young people to contribute to the sustainable development of their local communities and societies in EU partner countries across the world to reach the objectives of Agenda 2030, in line with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.

The Fund was launched in Nairobi, Kenya in the presence of the European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen, Carlos Sanvee, the Chair of the GYM, and young leaders worldwide. This partnership is dedicated to dismantling barriers to funding and providing crucial opportunities for mentoring, coaching, and capacity building.

We aim to ensure that marginalized and underrepresented communities have equitable access to resources. Moreover, we are committed to engaging, empowering, and mobilizing young people to address the most pressing global challenges, ranging from climate change and gender equality to education and employment access issues. Together, young people are forging their impactful local solutions to these monumental challenges.

Learn more about the EU Youth Action Plan here . “Together with the Big Six, we will facilitate access for young people to the tools they need to initiate change and mobilise their peers. Our micro-grants will support youth-led projects, contribute to sustainable development and build recognition for young people as change-makers.

” EU Commissioner for International Partnerships at the 4 October 2023 launch in Nairobi, Kenya. The Youth Empowerment Fund provides direct financial support to youth-led initiatives focusing on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level.

The Youth Empowerment Fund, a partnership between the European Union and the Global Youth Mobilization, an initiative of the Big Six Youth Organisations, aims to: • break down barriers to funding; provide opportunities for mentoring, coaching and capacity strengthening; • unlock opportunities for marginalised and under-represented communities; • engage, empower and mobilise young people to create local solutions to the world’s biggest challenges, from climate change and gender equality to access to education and employment.

Young people lead on all aspects of the Youth Empowerment Fund, from selecting grant beneficiaries, to sitting on the board of the initiative, supporting mentoring and capacity strengthening programmes, and participating in the design, leadership and implementation of projects in their communities.

Designed with young people for young people Providing funding and capacity-building Empowering young people to take action Combining resources for bigger impact How does the EU support young people? “Young people are the solution, not the problem. Time and again, they have the solutions to the challenges they and their communities face.

The future is theirs”. – Carlos Sanvee World YMCA Secretary General and Chair, Global Youth Mobilization “Young people are the experts in their own lives. We know that when given direct access to resources, the opportunity to lead, and the support and networking opportunities to connect with one another, they can make a positive difference for themselves and their communities.

” – Helga Mutasingwa Youth Representative and Activist “The main aspect [I have learned] is confidence and determination because after having won a fund that lets you carry out a project, it is self-confidence and the idea that you can generate and find funding for more projects that is the most valuable thing that the experience leaves you.

” – Francisco Paredes Project Leader, Ecuador For further information about the Global Youth Mobilization, please contact: EU-YEF@globalyouthmobilization. org