Opportunities for Zimbabwean Youth: Urban Youth Fund (grant up to 25,000 USD)
The UN-Habitat Urban Youth Fund empowers global youth by providing grants and capacity building to selected organizations in developing countries. Yearly, more than 8,000 youth-led organizations start the application process to be part of the program. Approximately 30 organizations are selected yearly to receive a grant up to 25,000 USD and capacity building support throughout the duration of the project.
These organizations span various sectors, from technology and agriculture to education and poverty reduction. Every year, the Fund supports new and innovative ideas and solutions for job creation, good governance, adequate shelter and secure tenure planned and implemented by youth-led groups globally.
By undertaking research on best practices in youth-led development the fund also creates greater awareness of youth-led development and the urgency to ensure that youth perspectives are integrated into local, national and international development policies and strategies.
Applicants organizations must be led by young people aged 15-32 years and be based in cities or towns in developing countries to qualify for a grant. Support in terms of training, mentorship and the E- Learning programs is provided primarily for. Projects encouraging gender equality or involving partnerships with the government or the private sector are particularly encouraged.
Since its inception, the Fund has impacted individual lives, communities, and countries. The Urban Youth Fund projects have:
- Operated in 172 cities and 63 countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean
- Helped youth gain employable skills and opportunities
- Sponsored vocational training and credit mechanisms for entrepreneurship and employment
- Promoted gender equality in urban developments in the global South
- Increased the involvement of young people in local governance
- Worked to stop sexual harassment of women through the use of ICT
- Mapped informal settlements using GIS tools
- Improved perception of youth in the local communities
Application deadline has been extended to Friday 15th May 2015
To apply please visit: http://www.unhabitatyouthfund.org
