Youth-led organisations and community groups across East, Southern and Central Africa are being invited to apply for the Africa-Europe Youth Academy (AEYA) “Spaces for Youth” Grant Awards. The initiative aims to strengthen youth participation, advocacy and community-driven solutions by providing financial support to projects that create meaningful spaces for young people to engage in social, economic and civic development. The grant programme is promoted by The Youth Cafe, a leading youth development organisation focused on advancing youth advocacy, research and policy engagement across Africa and globally. The initiative is implemented through collaboration with international partners, including Expertise France and supported by development cooperation actors. Strengthening Youth Participation Through Community-Led Solutions The “Spaces for Youth” call is based on the principle that sustainable development occurs when communities are actively involved in designing, implementing and owning solutions that affect their lives. The programme seeks to support youth-focused initiatives that create opportunities for young people to: Participate in decision-making processes. Develop innovative solutions to community challenges. Strengthen youth leadership. Promote social inclusion. Build networks across regions. Advance youth advocacy and civic engagement. By supporting youth-led projects, the grant programme aims to expand opportunities for young people to influence policies and contribute to sustainable development across Africa. About The Youth Cafe The Youth Cafe is one of Africa’s largest youth-focused convening communities, bringing together young leaders, professionals, researchers, policymakers and development actors to promote socio-economic transformation. The organisation works to amplify youth voices and create platforms where young people can contribute to: Policy development. Research and knowledge generation. Advocacy initiatives. Leadership development. Community empowerment. Sustainable development efforts. Through its programmes, The Youth Cafe connects young people with opportunities, resources and networks that enable them to drive positive change within their communities. Focus of the Africa-Europe Youth Academy The Africa-Europe Youth Academy (AEYA) is designed to strengthen collaboration between young people in Africa and Europe while promoting shared learning, innovation and youth-driven development. Through initiatives such as “Spaces for Youth,” the academy supports projects that address challenges affecting young people while encouraging partnerships between youth organisations, communities and institutions. The grant opportunity reflects growing recognition of youth as key actors in achieving inclusive development and strengthening democratic participation. Eligible Project Areas While specific eligibility requirements are outlined in the official grant guidelines, the initiative focuses on youth-led projects that contribute to meaningful engagement and community transformation. Potential areas of interest include: Youth empowerment. Social innovation. Community development. Civic participation. Youth advocacy. Education and skills development. Inclusion of marginalised groups. Leadership development. Collaboration between youth networks. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their projects respond to local needs and create sustainable impact. Geographic Focus The grant opportunity targets youth initiatives operating in: East Africa. Southern Africa. Central Africa. The regional focus aims to strengthen youth networks and encourage locally driven solutions adapted to diverse African contexts. Supporting Youth Innovation and Impact The “Spaces for Youth” grants are designed not only as financial awards but also as opportunities to strengthen youth organisations through increased visibility, networking and collaboration. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to: Expand youth-focused programmes. Strengthen organisational capacity. Connect with regional partners. Increase the impact of community initiatives. Contribute to broader youth development discussions. The programme aligns with the growing need for investments that position young people as leaders, innovators and partners in development processes. How to Apply Interested youth organisations and initiatives are encouraged to review the official eligibility criteria and application guidelines before submitting proposals. The application process includes: Checking eligibility requirements. Reviewing project guidelines. Preparing a complete project proposal. Submitting applications through the official application platform. Applicants are advised to ensure that proposals clearly explain their objectives, expected impact, implementation approach and sustainability plans. Investing in Africa’s Youth Future With Africa’s young population continuing to grow, initiatives that support youth leadership and participation are increasingly important for achieving sustainable development. The Africa-Europe Youth Academy “Spaces for Youth” Grant Awards provide an opportunity for young innovators, community organisers and youth organisations to access support for initiatives that create lasting change. By investing in youth-led solutions, the programme contributes to building stronger communities, expanding civic participation and ensuring that young people play a central role in shaping Africa’s future. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.