Join a cohort of young change-makers making a difference in their communities by promoting peaceful and inclusive societies.

Deadline: Sunday, 31 January 2021, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time in New York

The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is pleased to invite youth-led organizations to apply for the Youth Solidarity Fund (YSF). The call is open to organizations from selected countries whose work seeks to promote peace and social inclusion through improved understanding, respect, and collaboration across borders, cultures, faiths, and beliefs.

“Our young people suffer disproportionately from the effects of violence, conflict, poverty and now COVID-19. Despite these obstacles and challenges, they continue to find ways to engage, support one another, and demand and drive change,” said the High Representative for UNAOC, Mr. Miguel Moratinos. “Young people have the power to transform entire regions to make them more secure, peaceful, and socially inclusive. With the Youth Solidarity Fund, UNAOC supports them in their efforts to make our world a better place.”

Through a competitive evaluation process, YSF will award seed funding of up to USD 25,000 for the implementation of selected projects that demonstrate innovative approaches to intercultural and interfaith dialogue in line with the mandate and mission of UNAOC. YSF only supports projects that are entirely developed and managed by youth and for the benefit of youth.

Established in 2008, YSF responded to calls for action made by young civil society leaders worldwide on the importance of establishing funding mechanisms for youth-led organizations. To this date, YSF has funded 68 youth-led organizations in 40 countries.

In its ninth edition, YSF continues to provide comprehensive support to youth-led organizations, with a particular focus on the role of young people in promoting peace, preventing violent extremism, addressing the increased stigma and discrimination of youth exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting respect for other religions and cultures and addressing hate speech and its impact on young people. It contributes to the implementation of several global policy frameworks by engaging young people in building peaceful and inclusive societies.

Details on the programme, application guidelines, eligibility, and selection criteria are available on the website of UNAOC: http://unaoc.org/youthsolidarityfund .