Apply for the Youth4Water Grants Program (USD $2,000–$2,500

This program is a collaborative effort, leveraging the extensive network and advocacy platform of the UNCCD Youth Caucus and the dedicated resources of Protectol’s Water Initiative. By combining global youth advocacy with corporate commitment, the program is positioned to support impactful projects that create tangible, sustainable change at the grassroots level.

Program Objectives and Impact

The overarching goal of the Youth4Water Grants Program is to strengthen youth-led solutions that directly address the multifaceted crisis of clean water and sanitation. Specifically, the program aims to:

• Increase Access to Safe and Clean Water: Fund initiatives that develop or implement infrastructure and technologies to improve reliable access to safe drinking water for underserved communities.
• Promote Hydration and Sanitation Awareness: Support public health campaigns and training sessions that raise awareness about proper hydration, hygiene practices, and the critical importance of sanitation.
• Build Organisational Capacity: Strengthen the ability of youth organizations to design, deliver, and scale impactful water and sanitation projects effectively.
• Advance Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6): Directly contribute to the global agenda of SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, which strives to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” by 2030.

This pilot phase is a crucial step toward showcasing the high potential of youth-led innovation. Project outcomes will be highlighted at the prestigious COP17 in Mongolia in 2026, offering global visibility to selected organizations and their solutions.

Youth4water Grant, Funding and Scope

The program offers small grants designed to kickstart or scale community-level projects that tackle immediate water challenges.

Financial Support

Selected projects will receive financial support ranging from USD $2,000 to $2,500 per project. For this pilot round, four (4) exceptional projects—two in Africa and two in South Asia—will be selected. This targeted funding is intended to cover essential project expenses, including:

• Materials for local infrastructure (e.g., filtration units, small rainwater harvesting systems).
• Resources for awareness campaigns and educational workshops.
• Community mobilization and local engagement activities.
• Essential transportation costs for project implementation.

Implementation Timeline

The program officially launched in 2025, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Selected projects are expected to commence implementation swiftly, within one to two months of selection, with activities scheduled for completion in 2026.

Core Focus Areas

Proposed projects must align with one or more of the following critical focus areas:

1. Water Access: Initiatives focused on securing or improving sources of safe, reliable drinking water.
2. Drought Resilience: Solutions that help communities adapt to or mitigate the effects of drought, such as water conservation techniques and sustainable management practices.
3. Sanitation: Projects that improve sanitation facilities and promote hygiene practices to reduce waterborne diseases.
4. Community Awareness: Educational or advocacy initiatives that raise the profile of water-related challenges and sustainable practices within local communities.

Eligibility and Guide for youth4water Grant

Interested organizations must carefully review the following eligibility criteria to ensure their application is complete and competitive.

Applicant Criteria

To be eligible for the Youth4Water Grants Program, applicants must meet the following mandatory requirements:

• Youth-Led Status: The applying organization or group must be genuinely youth-led, with the majority of its leadership team being under 35 years old.
• Geographic Focus: The organization must be based in and operating within Africa or South Asia (including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka).
• Legal Standing: Applicants must be either legally registered as a non-profit, community-based, or youth organization, OR demonstrate strong community recognition through official documentation, such as letters of support from local leaders or government bodies.

Project Requirements

Proposed projects must adhere to the following guidelines:

• Relevance: The project’s core activity must be focused on water access, sanitation, drought resilience, or community awareness.
• Inclusivity and Equity: Projects must actively foster inclusivity. This includes encouraging participation from marginalized youth, engaging rural communities, and ensuring robust gender balance in both leadership and beneficiaries.
• Implementation Timeframe: Projects should be structured to be fully implemented within a short, one-to-two-month period following selection.

The Youth4Water Grants Program offers a unique opportunity for young leaders to translate innovative ideas into practical, life-changing realities. By championing youth-led action, the UNCCD Youth Caucus and Protectol’s Water Initiative are investing directly in a sustainable and water-secure future for Africa and South Asia.

We encourage all eligible organizations with a clear vision and a dedicated team to submit their applications before the deadline. Your solution could be the next major step in global water resilience. Apply now and become a leader in the global movement for clean water and sanitation.

Program Summary Table