Youth Challenge Fund 2025 (Round 4) – Grants for Young Feminist & Girl-Led Groups in West & Central Africa
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Youth Challenge Fund 2025: Overview
The Youth Challenge Fund (YCF) Round 4 (2025), hosted by Plan International, is a regional grant program designed to support girl-led and young feminist groups in West and Central Africa. The Fund provides €5,000 (up to €7,000 for returning grantees) to registered or unregistered youth groups working toward gender equality and social change. In addition to funding, groups join a regional activist network and gain access to mentorship, capacity-building sessions, and networking opportunities.
Youth Challenge Fund 2025: Eligibility
Applicants must:
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Be girl- or young feminist-led groups (ages 15–30, priority for 15–24).
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Have at least 3 members (can be unregistered).
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Operate with an annual budget under €50,000.
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Be based in one of the following countries:
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo. -
Be independent of government, political parties, religious institutions, or corporations.
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Focus on at least one of the YCF priority areas:
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Girls’ Employment & Entrepreneurship
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Protection from Violence
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Youth Leadership & Mentorship
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Girls’ Access to Quality Education
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Climate Change, Environment & Livelihoods
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Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights
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Humanitarian Response & Emergency
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Special Note: In Chad and Senegal, only education-focused projects will be considered.
Youth Challenge Fund 2025: Benefits
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Grant funding: Up to €5,000 (or €7,000 for returning grantees).
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Flexible usage: Groups decide how to spend funds.
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Capacity building: At least 5 online training sessions tailored to group needs.
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Networking: Access to the Youth Challenge Fund Network and Equality Accelerator platform.
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Mentorship: Dedicated support from Plan Country Office staff.
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Visibility: Opportunities for storytelling, collaboration, and sustainability guidance.
Program Components
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Funding Duration: 7 months (end of October 2025 – June 2026).
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Extra Support for Education Grants: Targeting 8 girl-led groups addressing barriers to education.
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Non-Financial Support Includes:
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Tools and resources
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Technical support
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Project idea inspiration
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Advocacy and implementation guidance
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Application Requirements
Applicants must provide:
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A clear project proposal addressing at least one YCF priority area.
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Identification documents for two group representatives.
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References and, if registered, group registration documents.
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Consent from parents/guardians if group leaders are under 18.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be assessed based on:
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Gender-transformative approach (tackling root causes of inequality).
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Innovation and relevance of the project idea.
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Feasibility within the 7-month timeline.
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Peer-to-peer review process (mandatory voting by applicants on Equality Accelerator).
Application Process
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Opens: Friday, 15th August 2025
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Info Session: Wednesday, 20th August 2025
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Closes: Monday, 8th September 2025 (GMT)
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Peer Review Voting: 9th – 16th September 2025
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Notifications: Late September 2025
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Funding Disbursed: End of October 2025
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Project Implementation: 7 months (Oct 2025 – June 2026)
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Reporting Deadline: June 2026 (youth-friendly reporting process)
For more information and application:
Visit the official website of the Youth Challenge Fund 2025
