Young changemakers across West and Central Africa are being given a major boost.
Plan International Nigeria has officially launched the fourth edition of its Youth Challenge Fund (YCF), a program designed to financially support activist groups led by girls and young feminists driving change in their communities.
The initiative will award grants ranging from €5,000 to €7,000 to both registered and unregistered groups, collectives, and organizations.
The aim is to nurture the innovation, creativity, and energy of young people working toward gender equality and social impact.
Who Can Apply
Groups hoping to benefit from the fund must meet specific eligibility criteria:
-
Be led by girls or women aged 15–30, with priority given to feminists aged 15–24.
-
Operate with an annual budget under €50,000.
-
Be independent of government, political parties, religious institutions, or corporations.
-
Submit proposals aligned with at least one YCF priority area.
-
Provide verification through two references, registration documents (if available), and IDs of two representatives.
-
Be based in one of the eligible countries: Togo, Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Central African Republic, Mali, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Chad, or Senegal.
-
Obtain parental or guardian consent if all members are under 18.
Special note: for Chad and Senegal, only projects focused on education for girls and young women will be considered.
Priority Areas for Funding
Applicants can apply under one or more of the following themes:
-
Girls’ Employment and Entrepreneurship
-
Protection from Violence
-
Youth Leadership and Mentorship
-
Girls’ Access to Quality Education
-
Climate Change, Environment, and Livelihoods
-
Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights
-
Humanitarian Response and Emergency
Benefits Beyond Funding
The support doesn’t stop at grants. Selected groups will gain:
-
Membership in the Youth Challenge Fund 4 network.
-
At least five tailored capacity-strengthening sessions.
-
Online training hosted by Plan International Country Offices and the WCA Regional Hub.
-
Access to tools and resources via the Equality Accelerator platform.
-
Opportunities to co-create new activism tools.
-
Direct mentorship and support from Plan International staff.
-
Networking opportunities with fellow youth activists across the region.
How to Apply
Young groups and activists ready to make a difference can submit their proposals to join this exciting initiative and receive support to scale their impact.
