The UNAOC Youth Solidarity Fund (YSF) offers up to USD 25,000 seed funding to impactful projects promoting intercultural and interfaith dialogue via innovative and practical approaches. Youth-led organizations operational in one of the eligible countries with projects entirely developed and managed by youth are welcome to apply for this fund. The UNAOC -United Nations Alliance of Civilizations also offers capacity-building training to help the organizations reinforce their projects’ implementation.

The YSF Tenth Call for Applications welcomes proposals from individuals between 18 and 35 to characterize youth. At the same time, the projects target mainly young people, often involving political or religious leaders, policy-makers, educational institutions, and media organizations.

UNAOC particularly encourages proposals related to the implementation of the following frameworks or policies:

• Projects supporting the implementation of the UNs Security Council Resolution 2250, 2419, and 2535 on Youth, Peace, and Security relevant to intercultural and interfaith dialogue;
• Supporting projects toward the implementation of the UNs’ Secretary General’s Action Plan to Prevent Violent Extremism through promoting intercultural and interfaith dialogue as a prevention tool;
• Projects supporting the implementation of the UNs’ Comprehensive Response to COVID-19
• They are supporting projects toward implementing the UN Action Plan to Safeguard Religious Sites by endorsing respect for the rights of human beings, other religions, and cultures to practice their faith in safety and peace.
• Any project to support the implementation of the UN’s Strategy and Action Plan on Hate Speech by addressing the challenges and their impact on young people

About Youth Solidarity Fund (YSF)

Founded in 2008, Youth Solidarity Fund responded to calls for action from young civil society leaders globally on establishing funding mechanisms for youth-led organizations. Currently, YSF operations are more relevant than ever.

As the global agenda talks about youth’s participation and contribution increasingly to peace, security, and development, it is essential to listen and respond with funding and partnership opportunities.

UNAOC Youth Solidarity Fund at Glance

Application Deadline: 14 May 2023 (11:59 p.m. EST, New York)

Organized By: United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

Degree Level: None

Application Procedure: Online

Eligible Country: All Countries in the List of Development Assistance Committee (DAC)

Benefits of the UNAOC Youth Solidarity Fund

The UNAOC Youth Solidarity Fund (YSF) offers up to USD 25,000 seed funding to impactful projects promoting intercultural and interfaith dialogue via innovative and practical approaches.

Eligibility Criteria

Organizations and projects should meet the following requirements to be eligible for UNAOC Youth Solidarity Fund.

Requirements for Organizations:

• Be a youth-led organization by youths between the ages of 18 and 35;
• The organization should be non-governmental and non-profit, excluding national youth councils.
• Be operational and registered in the country of operation as a charity, foundation, trust, or association.
• Must be operational and registered for at least two years before the application deadline with funding base and project implementation.
• Should operate in one of the countries mentioned above;
• Have a decision-making mechanism and democratic governance structure.
• Demonstrate regular and consistent monitoring, evaluation, and record-keeping of their activities.
• Follow a gender balance and perspective in their activities, staff, and beneficiaries.
• Are not affiliated with violent ideologies or hatred against any particular culture, religion, country, ethnic group, gender, etcetera.
• Should not be a previous YSF funding receiver or did not receive support via the Intercultural Innovation Hub.

Requirements for Projects:

The selection committee will evaluate the projects against the following criteria:

• Project Origin
• Target Audience
• The objective of advancing UNAOC’s mandate of promoting
• Youth Management of the project
• Project Coordinator ages between 18 and 35 at the time of the application.
• Duration and Timing of the project with a mandate period of 12 months.
• The location of the project should be in the countries mentioned above.
• Project Budget requests must be no more than 50% of the organization’s annual budget in 2022.
• English as the language of application and CV/resume of the Project Coordinator
• Availability of registration certificate and statute with the application form

Selection Process for UNAOC Youth Solidarity Fund

• The selection committee will evaluate all submitted project proposals against the eligibility criteria.
• UNAOC will contact shortlisted organizations with a request to submit a more detailed project budget and work plan explaining activities, timelines, milestones, and expected outcomes.
• Shortlisted organizations can strengthen their project proposal in the final stages of selection through workshops and project clinics tailored to their needs.
• Finally, the shortlisted organizations will pitch their projects during an interview in the final stage of the selection process.

Required Documents

Organizations should submit the following supporting documents with their application:

• Application Form
• A copy of the organization’s registration certificate
• Organization’s statutes or by-laws copy.
• An organizational chart showing the ages of key decision-makers in the organization.
• Current Executive or Managing Director biography (One Page) containing the date of birth.
• Project Coordinator CV of a maximum of two pages
• Photograph or scan of the passport or NID of the project coordinator.

How to Apply for the UNAOC Youth Solidarity Fund?

Eligible applicants should apply online by entering the link below:

Apply Now

Please visit the official website of UNAOC for further information about the UNAOC Youth Solidarity Fund or read the guidelines.

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