Youth4Water Grants Program for Youth-led Organizations in Africa & South Asia (Up To $2,500 Grant Funding)

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Applications are open for Youth4Water Grants Program. The Youth4Water Grants aim to empower young people and youth-led organizations across Africa and South Asia to implement innovative, community-driven water initiatives. By combining the reach of the UNCCD Youth Caucus and the resources of Protectol’s Water Initiative, this program supports youth solutions at the intersection of clean water, community resilience, and sustainable development.

Youth4Water Grants Objectives

Support youth-led solutions for clean and safe water access.
Strengthen youth organizations’ capacity to design and deliver impactful projects.
Promote awareness on hydration, sanitation, and sustainable water use.
Contribute to achieving SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and related goals.

Quick Facts

Grant size: USD 2,000–2,500 per project
Number of projects: 4 (pilot round)
Who can apply: Youth-led organizations & groups in Africa & South Asia
Timeline: Launch 2025 → Projects in 2026 → Showcase at COP17 (Mongolia)
Focus areas: Water access, drought resilience, sanitation, and awareness

Grant Scope & Support

Each selected project will receive:

Financial support: USD 2,000–2,500.
Technical & communication support: Protectol will provide branding, design, and visibility resources.
Recognition & storytelling: Projects will be featured on Protectol Impact & UNCCD Youth channels.

Funding will only be transferred after submission of required documents by selected applicants.

Eligibility Criteria for Youth4Water Grants

Be a youth-led organization or group (majority of leadership under 35).
Operate in Africa or South Asia
Focus on water access, sanitation, or community awareness.
Be legally registered OR show strong community recognition (letters of support accepted).
Commit to implement within 1–2 months after selection.
Encourage inclusivity (gender balance, youth from marginalized or rural communities).

Acceptable Expenses for Youth4Water Grants

Local infrastructure (wells, filtration units, rainwater systems)
Materials for awareness campaigns & training sessions
Community mobilization & engagement costs
Transportation for project-related activities

Not covered: staff salaries, administrative overheads, or unrelated equipment.

Selection Criteria (with Scoring Weightage)

Relevance (20%) – Project addresses water, sanitation, awareness needs.
Impact (25%) – Potential to reach communities + create measurable outcomes.
Youth Leadership (20%) – Meaningful youth engagement in decision-making.
Feasibility (15%) – Realistic, achievable within 1–2 months.
Sustainability (10%) – Potential for continued benefit beyond grant period.
Diversity (10%) – Regional balance, gender inclusivity, rural representation.

Timeline (2025–2026)

September 2025 → MoU signing & Program Launch
October–December 2025 → Call for Applications open
Rolling Review → Selection within 3–4 weeks of each submission
2026 (Early) → Projects implemented (1–2 months each)
August 2026 → Outcomes showcased at UNCCD COP17, Mongolia

How To Apply for Youth4Water Grants

Click Here to Apply

Click Here for details

Application Deadline: 30 December 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until March 2026 or until all four projects are selected.