Africa Youth Climate Fund

Scholarship Details

The Africa Youth Climate Fund (AYCF) 2026/2027 is inviting applications from youth-led organisations and community groups across Africa for grants of up to $20,000 to support climate action and environmental sustainability projects.

Hosted by the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO), the initiative provides funding of $5,000, $10,000 and $20,000 to young Africans developing solutions to climate change, promoting green entrepreneurship, strengthening community resilience and influencing environmental policies.

The programme is open to registered and unregistered youth-led organisations, including groups whose registration is ongoing. Unregistered groups can apply through a fiscal sponsor.

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Applications are free, and the deadline is 15 January 2027.

About the Africa Youth Climate Fund

The Africa Youth Climate Fund is a youth-for-youth funding initiative supporting underfunded, youth-led climate and environmental solutions across Africa.

The fund aims to address the difficulty young climate organisations face in accessing financial resources by providing direct funding and involving young people in grantmaking decisions.

Through this initiative, AYCF supports locally driven projects that contribute to climate resilience, environmental protection, sustainable development and Africa’s green economy.

Benefits of the Africa Youth Climate Fund

Selected organisations can receive one of the following grants:

• $5,000 Grant: For small-scale community initiatives, new ideas and pilot projects.
• $10,000 Grant: For organisations seeking to strengthen or expand existing climate initiatives.
• $20,000 Grant: For larger climate projects requiring additional resources, coordination and partnerships.

Successful applicants will also receive technical assistance, peer-learning opportunities, partnership support, convenings and strategic guidance throughout project implementation.

Thematic Areas

Applicants must select one of the following thematic areas for their proposed projects:

1. Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Green Transition

Supports youth-led businesses and innovative solutions that create green jobs, strengthen community resilience and promote Africa’s inclusive transition to a green economy.

2. Youth Leadership, Solidarity and Movement-Building

Supports youth networks, coalitions and collective action initiatives that amplify marginalised voices and influence climate policies, governance and investment decisions.

3. Research, Evidence and Learning

Supports youth-led research, knowledge generation and learning initiatives that inform climate policies, improve programmes and strengthen accountability.

Eligibility Requirements

The funding opportunity is open to youth-led climate organisations and groups based in African countries.

Eligible applicants include:

• Registered youth-led organisations working on climate and environmental issues.
• Organisations whose registration processes are ongoing.
• Informal and unregistered youth groups.
• Community-based youth initiatives developing climate solutions.

Unregistered groups can apply through a fiscal sponsor. Applicants may provide their own fiscal sponsor or request assistance from AYCF to identify a suitable registered organisation to receive and manage the grant on their behalf.

Young women-led organisations and groups working with underserved and marginalised communities are particularly encouraged to apply.

Selection Process

Applications will undergo the following stages:

1. Eligibility Screening: Applications will be checked against the programme’s eligibility requirements.
2. Youth-Led Review: A panel of young people will review eligible applications and recommend projects for funding.
3. Due Diligence: Selected applicants will undergo verification checks proportionate to the amount requested.
4. Grant Agreement: Successful applicants will sign grant agreements before receiving funding.
5. Funding and Project Support: Grants will be disbursed in instalments, with ongoing guidance and partnership support during implementation.

How to Apply

Interested organisations and youth groups should follow these steps:

1. Visit the official Africa Youth Climate Fund application page.
2. Review the funding guidelines and select the appropriate grant category and thematic area.
3. Click the Apply Now option and create a free account on the AYCF application portal.
4. Complete the Grant Concept Note by providing information about your organisation and describing your proposed project in three sentences. Explain what you intend to do, who will benefit and the expected change.
5. Complete the full application form for your selected grant category.
6. Review and submit your application before the deadline.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email after successfully submitting their applications.

Application Fee

Applying for the Africa Youth Climate Fund is completely free. No application or processing fees are required.

AYCF warns applicants against individuals requesting money in the name of the fund.

Deadline

The application deadline for the Africa Youth Climate Fund’s first Call for Proposals is 15 January 2027.

Conclusion

The Africa Youth Climate Fund offers young African organisations an opportunity to secure up to $20,000 for climate action and environmental sustainability projects. Eligible youth-led groups, particularly young women-led organisations and groups supporting underserved communities, are encouraged to apply.