Youth4Water Grants 2025–2026: Funding Open for Youth-Led Water Projects in Africa and South Asia

The Youth4Water Grants Programme, a partnership between Protectol Health and the UNCCD Youth Caucus, is now accepting applications. This initiative supports youth-led, community-driven water solutions addressing water access, sanitation, and drought resilience across Africa and South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka).

About the Youth4Water Grants Programme

The Youth4Water Grants aim to empower young people and youth-led organizations to design and implement innovative projects that strengthen community resilience and promote sustainable water use. By combining the reach of the UNCCD Youth Caucus with the resources of Protectol’s Water Initiative, this program advances the global agenda for clean water, sanitation, and climate adaptation, contributing directly to Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Quick Facts

Grant size: USD 2,000–2,500 per project
Number of projects: 4 (pilot round)
Who can apply: Youth-led organizations and groups in Africa and South Asia
Timeline: Launch in 2025, project implementation in 2026, outcomes showcased at COP17 in Mongolia
Focus areas: Water access, drought resilience, sanitation, and community awareness

Programme Objectives

• Support youth-led initiatives improving access to clean and safe water.

• Strengthen the capacity of youth organizations to design and implement impactful projects.

• Promote awareness on sanitation, hydration, and sustainable water use.

• Contribute to achieving SDG 6 and related sustainable development goals.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be a youth-led organization or group with a majority of leaders under 35 years old.

• Be based in Africa or South Asia.

• Focus on water access, sanitation, drought resilience, or community awareness.

• Be legally registered or show strong community recognition (letters of support accepted).

• Commit to implementing the project within one to two months after selection.

• Demonstrate inclusivity, ensuring gender balance and participation of marginalized or rural youth.

Organizations accredited to the UNCCD or affiliated with the UNCCD Youth Caucus will receive preference, though accreditation is not mandatory for this pilot round. Interested organizations can apply for UNCCD accreditation here.

Grant Scope and Support

Selected projects will receive:

• Financial support of USD 2,000–2,500 per project.

• Technical and communication support, including branding, design, and visibility assistance from Protectol.

• Recognition through features on Protectol Impact and UNCCD Youth platforms.

Funding will be disbursed after selected applicants provide registration documents (or community endorsement), detailed quotations, and bank details.

Acceptable Expenses

Eligible expenses include:

• Local infrastructure such as wells, filtration units, and rainwater systems.

• Materials for awareness campaigns and training sessions.

• Community mobilization and engagement activities.

• Transportation related to project implementation.

Ineligible expenses include staff salaries, administrative overheads, or unrelated equipment.

Selection Process

1. Call for applications and online submissions.

2. Joint review by Protectol and the UNCCD Youth Caucus team.

3. Shortlisting based on eligibility, feasibility, and impact potential.

4. Final selection of four projects.

Selected applicants will be notified by email within three to four weeks of submission.

Selection Criteria

• Relevance (20%) – Addresses water, sanitation, or awareness needs.

• Impact (25%) – Potential to reach communities and achieve measurable outcomes.

• Youth Leadership (20%) – Demonstrates strong youth engagement and leadership.

• Feasibility (15%) – Achievable within one to two months.

• Sustainability (10%) – Offers long-term community benefits.

• Diversity (10%) – Promotes gender inclusivity and regional balance.

Timeline

• September 2025: Programme launch and signing of MoU.

• October to December 2025: Applications open.

• Rolling review: Evaluation within three to four weeks of submission.

• Early 2026: Project implementation (one to two months).

• August 2026: Showcase of outcomes at UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia.

Communication and Visibility

All selected projects will be co-branded as Youth4Water Grants by Protectol and the UNCCD Youth Caucus.
Grantees must use official logos on visibility materials. Protectol will provide media and design support, and impact stories will be shared on Protectol Impact and UYC platforms.

Monitoring and Reporting

Grantees must submit short narrative and photo updates during and after implementation.
A final two to three-page report (template provided) will be required after project completion.
Protectol and UYC will compile a joint impact brief summarizing results and success stories.

Application Process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until March 2026 or until all four projects are selected. Early submissions are encouraged.

Apply through the official form: Youth4Water Grants Application Form

📧 For questions: water@protectol.org or partnerships@unccdyouthcaucus.org

For more details, see the Program Guidelines here.