European Youth Foundation

Objectives of Fund

The funding is intended to support European youth activities that promote peace, understanding and cooperation among young people, aligning with fundamental values of human rights, democracy, tolerance and solidarity, as set by the Council of Europe.

Support is offered to the following types of activity undertaken by non-governmental youth organisations or networks, or by other non-governmental structures involved in areas of youth work relevant to the Council of Europe's youth policies and work:

• Educational, social, cultural, and humanitarian activities of a European character.
• Activities aiming at strengthening peace and cooperation in Europe.
• Activities designed to promote closer cooperation and better understanding among young people in Europe, particularly by developing the exchange of information.
• Activities intended to stimulate mutual aid in Europe and in the developing countries for cultural, educational, and social purposes.
• Studies, research, and documentation on youth matters.

Value Notes

Funding values according to activity are as follows:

• One-off international/European co-operation activity - maximum grant per activity €25,000.
• Annual work plan - maximum grant of €60,000.
• Structural/administrative grant - maximum grant for international NGOs/networks of €30,000 per year for two years (ie a maximum of €60 000 for two years).
• Pilot activity - maximum grant per activity €15,000.
• Special Call for Pilot Activities in Support of Young People from Ukraine - maximum grant of €15,000.

Who Can Apply

The following types of organisations and/or networks are eligible:

• International youth NGOs - an international organisation that has members or branches in at least seven Council of Europe (CoE) member countries. The head office or seat of the organisation is considered separately to the branches.

• International network of youth NGOs - an international network includes at least seven youth NGOs in seven different CoE countries. When applying for registration one organisation is considered as the applicant, and will need at least six other youth NGOs in six separate countries, which are members of CoE.

• Regional network of youth NGOs - a regional network has at least four and not more than six youth NGOs in different CoE member countries. When applying for registration, the applicant organisation will need between three and five other youth NGOs in different CoE member countries.

• National youth NGOs - national level youth organisation in a Council of Europe member state.

• Local youth NGOs - local level youth organisation in a Council of Europe member state.

Grants for some activities are only open to certain types of organisation.

Location

Council of Europe Member States

Restrictions

The following types of activity cannot be financed by the EYF:

• Operations of a commercial nature.
• The construction or purchase of buildings or equipment.
• Tourist activities.
• Statutory meetings.
• Activities forming part of a school or university programme.
• Activities with only a vocational training character.

Eligible Expenditure

To be supported, activities should contribute to the priorities and the programmes of the objectives of the Council of Europe's youth sector.

The following types of activities are supported:

• International activity - meetings of young people or youth leaders in Europe, which contribute to the work of the youth sector of the Council of Europe in topic, methodology and with a clear European dimension.

• Work plan - a series of activities for the following year, international activities, pilot activities and also publication (including web development). These activities would be part of and support an organisation's strategy or action plan for the coming years.

• Structural grant - intended for general administrative costs of an international organisation or network. The one-off structural grant is planned as support to establish a European structure by regional networks.

• Pilot activity - this activity's main criteria is that it is an "intervention" and addresses a specific societal challenge linked to the local context in which it takes place.

Grants for some activities are only open to certain types of organisation.

An international activity can be organised by:

• International non-governmental youth organisations
• International networks
• Regional networks
• National NGOs in partnership with at least three other national NGOs or networks from different countries or with one international NGO or network.

A work plan can be applied for by:

• International youth NGOs.
• International networks.

A structural grant for two consecutive years is only accessible to:

• International youth NGOs.
• International networks.

The NGO or Network must have received support for at least three international activities during the three previous years (EYF grant or study session in the annual programme of the European Youth Centres). However, the grant needs to be confirmed after one year.

A one-off structural grant can be applied for by:

• Regional networks that have received support for at least three international activities during the three previous years (EYF grant or study session in the annual programme of the European Youth Centres).

Pilot activity is open to:

• Regional networks.
• National and local youth NGOs.

Pilot activities can also be carried out by international NGOs/networks as part of their work plan and in cooperation with local NGOs.

How To Apply

The next deadlines for:

• Pilot activities:
  • 1 February 2025.
  • 15 May 2025.
  • 1 September 2025.

• One-off international activities and annual work plans - 1 April 2025.

• A two-year structural grant - 1 October 2025 (for the years 2026-2027).

• Special Call for Pilot Activities in Support of Young People from Ukraine - applications can be submitted at any time, with no deadline until the call funds are exhausted.

Note: The EYF does not accept any new NGO registrations in the two weeks before the deadlines in April and October.

Applications are made through an online system. Organisations must first register and be validated before submitting a project application.