27 June 2024, Geneva: The European Union and the Big Six Youth Organizations are proud to announce the launch of the 'Open Call’ for applications to the EU Youth Empowerment Fund through the Global Youth Mobilization, a joint initiative aimed at empowering young people to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) locally within their communities.

The first cycle of the Open Call offers micro-grants to support innovative, youth-led projects addressing local challenges. Targeting vulnerable youth, including those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds and those facing gender equality issues or disabilities, the initiative provides funding to enable impactful solutions. Young Individuals and Informal groups can receive between EUR 500-1500, while registered organizations may obtain EUR 3000-5000.

The launch is part of a broader effort by the European Union and the Big Six Youth Organizations to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to empower young people to play a more active role in their communities. It is part of the EUR 10 million EU Youth Empowerment Fund through the Global Youth Mobilization Initiative, announced in Kenya on the first anniversary of the Youth Action Plan for EU External Action in 2023. The Fund provides resources for young people globally to advance the objectives of Agenda 2030 in line with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.

European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen said: “The EU Youth Empowerment Fund is there to help young people get their ideas off the ground and contribute to sustainable development in their community. These concrete opportunities that we are delivering to young change-makers around the world in partnership with the Big Six and the Global Youth Mobilization are exactly what our first-ever EU Youth Action Plan is about: engage, empower, connect.”

Young people take the lead

The Open Call invites young individuals and youth groups to develop and implement innovative project ideas that address challenges within their local communities. Projects must contribute significantly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through youth creativity and leadership in vulnerable settings.

“Young people are the driving force behind our efforts, embodying the spirit of innovation and resilience. Their meaningful participation is crucial to building safer and more resilient communities. By empowering youth with the resources they need, we can harness their diverse experiences and perspectives to achieve transformative change and foster sustainable development,” said Xavier Castellanos Mosquera, Under Secretary General for National Society Development and Operations Coordination.

As part of the partnership’s joint pledge and strategy, the Open Call will provide mentoring and coaching opportunities, along with capacity-building to enhance the resilience and empowerment of young people.  

Young people are actively involved through the Global Youth Mobilization at all levels, taking charge of selecting grant recipients, serving on the initiative's Board, and participating in the design and implementation of community projects.  

The selection process will be ‘by youth, for youth’ involving young panelists from a wide diversity of backgrounds selected from around the world. During the selection process, applications will be reviewed, scored, and discussed in youth panel meetings. Successful applications will be awarded funding, either unconditionally or with conditions requiring additional information or recommendations. Unsuccessful applicants will also receive feedback to improve their ideas or strengthen future submissions.

The EU Youth Empowerment Fund through the Global Youth Mobilization is a partnership between the European Union and the Big Six Youth Organizations.

The European Union’s initiatives for and with youth globally are directed by the Youth Action Plan (YAP) in EU External Action for 2022-2027. This plan, the first of its kind, establishes a strategic partnership framework with young people worldwide. It highlights the importance of youth as catalysts for change and essential partners in realising the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other international commitments such as the Paris Agreement on climate change. The YAP aims to ensure that EU External Actions contribute to youth empowerment politically, socially, and economically while facilitating their meaningful involvement in decision-making and policy formulation around the globe. The EU Youth Empowerment Fund is one of the key actions that support young people.

The Global Youth Mobilization (GYM) was launched by the Big Six youth organisations in 2020. From 2020 to 2022, GYM invested over US$ 5 million in 640 youth-led projects, engaging more than 600,000 young people and impacting over 3.6 million people in more than 125 countries. Through the funding of the European Union’s Youth Empowerment Fund, the Global Youth Mobilization will continue to support young people globally.

The Big Six Youth Organizations, formed in 1996, is an alliance of leading international youth-serving organisations. The alliance includes the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), the World Alliance of Young Men’s Christian Associations (World YMCA), the World Alliance of Young Women’s Christian Associations (World YWCA), the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (The Award). Collectively, the Big Six engage over 250 million young people, contributing to the empowerment of more than one billion young individuals over the last century.

Contact information

Global Youth Mobilization: Lim Eeyeng, [email protected]
IFRC: Mrinalini Santhanam, +41 76 381 50 06, [email protected]