East African youth-led organisations find it extremely challenging to secure funding, despite driving significant social change. And the primary culprit here is the systemic preference for more established NGOs with extensive administrative records. Thankfully, the funding landscape is slowly progressing, with more donors and youth-focused foundations recognising the need to invest in young adults’ innovative ideas. Here are the available funding opportunities for youth-led organisations.
Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) – Trans Nzoia, Kenya
Offered by the County Government of Trans Nzoia, in partnership with the Youth Climate Action Fund, the YCAF invests in youth-led and youth-serving organisations working to deliver climate solutions. Award amount ranges from KES 129,500 to KES 647,500. To qualify, your organisation must be operating within the county’s climate focus areas, including clean energy, greening, waste management, and climate advocacy. So, whether you are running a solar kiosk or an eco-friendly irrigation project within Trans Nzoia County, you can apply.
The current application window closes on November 26.
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Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) – Mombasa, Kenya
The Youth Climate Action Fund in Mombasa is open to Mombasa County-based youth-led or youth-serving organizations working to solve climate-related problems in their communities. The applying youth must be aged 15-24, possess a national ID, and have the necessary documents ready. The organisation or group must operate within the program’s priority areas, including waste management & recycling, urban greening, tree planting, renewable energy, water conservation, and reduction of plastic pollution. Funding amount can be up to $50,000.
Commonwealth Foundation Annual Grants Call
The Commonwealth Foundation’s grants program provides financial support to civil society, including grassroots organisations and creative actors, and eligible youth-led initiatives are welcome to apply. The foundation funds qualifying applicants through two grant streams:
- Individual organization grants. £15,000 to £30,000 per year for up to two years to not-for-profit civil society organizations running standalone projects.
- Collective Action Grants. £15,000 to £20,000 per year for up to two years to networks, alliances, coalitions, and civil society actors working to promote and support participation and collective action.
Your organisation must operate within the foundation’s priority areas: freedom of expression, economic inclusion, and climate & environmental justice. If you are seeking international grant funding for your CBO, this is a great opportunity to consider.
Related post: How to Prepare for the Commonwealth Foundation Grants Call
GFF × CIVIC VOICES Subgrants
The World Bank group’s GFF × CIVIC partnership is an initiative jointly offered by the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children, and Adolescents (GFF) and the Civil Society and Social Innovation Alliance (CIVIC). They invest in organisations working to improve health and nutrition for women, children, and adolescents. Qualified applicants, which must be partnerships of 2-3 organisations, including at least 1 youth-led organisation, can receive up to $3,350,000. Beyond financial backing, successful applicants will also enjoy advocacy training, mentorship, and technical support.
Kathwana Youth Climate Action Fund – Tharaka Nithi, Kenya
Supported by the Bloomberg Philanthropies, Kathwana Youth Climate Action Fund is an initiative established to support youth-led organisations working to implement climate solutions in their communities. Eligible organisations can receive up to KES 500,000, with KES 350,000 bringing the average grant size you can expect. You can apply if you are aged 15-24 and are based in Tharaka Nithi. Both formal and informal youth groups are welcome to apply, and you don’t have to have a grant-writing experience.
East African Girls and Young Feminist Fund (EAGYFF)
Hosted by the CIVFUND and supported by the Ford Foundation and the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, the EAGYFF invests in East African girls’ and young feminists’ movements to boost their collective power. The fund operates under specific principles, including:
- Inclusivity & intersectionality
- Collective, participatory, & intergenerational
- Grassroots & locally driven
- Learning
- Sustainability & long-term support
- Accountability & transparency
Funding ranges from $1,000 to $7,500.
Related post: 10 Funding Opportunities for Women-Led Businesses and Nonprofits
D-Prize Challenge
D-Prize is a San Francisco-based private foundation supporting organisations working to distribute poverty solutions. The foundation focuses only on new organisations, with most previously successful applicants being first-time entrepreneurs whose ideas haven’t yet been launched.
To qualify, you must not have been in operation for more than 18 months or raised $30,000. Existing organisations are considered only if their work is centred on distributing an existing, evidence-based intervention. Supported interventions include treatment of childhood diarrhoea, childcare, teaching at the right level, and road safety. The deadlines are as follows:
- Early submission deadline: October 25, 2026, at midnight Pacific Time
- Regular submission deadline: November 15, 2026, at midnight Pacific Time
- Extension deadline: December 6, 2026, at midnight Pacific Time
Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund (SSHF)
Ambassador’s SSHF is committed to helping self-help groups, CBOs, youth-led organisations, and certain educational institutions and medical facilities develop and run projects that improve the well-being of their communities. The programme offers small grants ranging from $1,000 – $10,000.
Eligible projects include those that serve Kenyans with special needs, protect the environment, provide access to clean, safe drinking water, and focus on income-generating activities. It also considers community-initiative clinics or dispensaries in need of medical supplies.
Conclusion
Youth-led organisations are making positive impacts in their communities, but access to financial backing remains a challenge. The funding opportunities for youth-led organisations above invest in a range of initiatives, from those creating innovative climate solutions to projects that contribute to poverty reduction and improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations. Ensure you meet the funder’s eligibility requirements and have all the necessary documents ready before you start applying.