DEADLINE: 31st JANUARY, 2021
The Youth Solidarity Fund (YSF) supports youth-led organizations that foster peaceful and inclusive societies. Seed funding is given to projects, for and by young people, that demonstrate innovative and effective approaches to intercultural or interfaith dialogue. UNAOC additionally offers capacity-building support to help youth-led organizations strengthen the implementation of their projects.
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. Today, YSF is more relevant than ever. As the global agenda increasingly speaks of youth’s participation and contribution to peace, development and security, it is critical to listen and respond with funding and partnership opportunities.
YSF supports youth-led civil society organizations, with a particular focus on the role of young people in promoting peace and preventing violent extremism. YSF does so by providing the partnership, mentorship, and financial means to help young people implement activities that prevent violent conflict, promote peace and social inclusion. YSF functions as a small grant-making mechanism for youth to develop their own ideas on strengthening community resilience against violent extremism conducive to terrorism. UNAOC believes that young people are uniquely placed to counter and prevent violent extremism within their communities based on their valuable insights, influence, and credibility.
TYPE OF PROJECTS
Youth Solidarity Fund provides seed funding to outstanding projects promoting intercultural and interfaith dialogue. It awards grants of up to USD 25,000 for the implementation of selected projects that demonstrate innovative and effective approaches to intercultural and/or interfaith dialogue and advance the mission of UNAOC. Proposals linked to the implementation of the following frameworks/policies are particularly encouraged:
- Projects that support the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015), 2419 (2018) and 2535 (2020) on Youth, Peace and Security in connection to intercultural and interfaith dialogue;
- Projects that support the implementation of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism by promoting intercultural and interfaith dialogue as a prevention tool;
- Projects that support the implementation of the United Nations Comprehensive Response to COVID-19 by addressing the increased stigma and discrimination of young people and their communities exacerbated by the pandemic;
- Projects that support the implementation of the United Nations Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites by promoting respect for other religions and cultures, the right of human beings to practice their faith in safety and peace, and dialogue and respect to combat extremist ideologies and narratives;
- Projects that support the implementation of the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech by addressing the issues and their impact on young people.
ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES
Proposals submitted by a coalition of youth organizations from different countries are acceptable only when the leading implementing youth organization is registered in one of the below countries. Activities must be carried out in the below-mentioned countries for the benefit of the local community.Islamic Republic of Afghanistan; People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria; Republic of Angola; Republic of Armenia; Republic of Azerbaijan; People’s Republic of Bangladesh; Republic of Benin; Kingdom of Bhutan; Republic of Botswana; Burkina Faso; Republic of Burundi; Republic of Cabo Verde; Kingdom of Cambodia; Republic of Cameroon; Central African Republic; Republic of Chad; People’s Republic of China; Union of the Comoros; Republic of the Congo; Republic of Cote d’Ivoire; Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Republic of Djibouti; Arab Republic of Egypt; Republic of Equatorial Guinea; State of Eritrea; Kingdom of Eswatini; Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; Gabonese Republic; Islamic Republic of the Gambia; Georgia; Republic of Ghana; Republic of Guinea; Republic of Guinea-Bissau; Republic of India; Republic of Indonesia; Islamic Republic of Iran; Republic of Iraq; State of Israel; Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; Republic of Kazakhstan; Republic of Kenya; Kyrgyz Republic; Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Republic of Lebanon; Kingdom of Lesotho; Republic of Liberia; Libya; Republic of Madagascar; Republic of Malawi; Malaysia; Republic of Maldives; Republic of Mali; Islamic Republic of Mauritania; Republic of Mauritius; Mongolia; Kingdom of Morocco; Republic of Mozambique; Republic of the Union of Myanmar; Republic of Namibia; Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal; Republic of the Niger; Federal Republic of Nigeria; Islamic Republic of Pakistan; State of Palestine; Republic of the Philippines; Republic of Rwanda; Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe; Republic of Senegal; Republic of Seychelles; Republic of Sierra Leone; Federal Republic of Somalia; Republic of South Africa; Republic of South Sudan; Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka; Republic of Sudan; Syrian Arab Republic; Republic of Tajikistan; Kingdom of Thailand; Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste; Republic of Togo; Republic of Tunisia; Republic of Turkey; Turkmenistan; Republic of Uganda; United Republic of Tanzania; Republic of Uzbekistan; Socialist Republic of Viet Nam; Republic of Yemen; Republic of Zambia; Republic of Zimbabwe.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible, applying youth organizations need to fulfill every one of the following criteria:
- Be youth-led: a majority of the positions and decision-making roles within the organization are held by women and men between the ages of 18 and 35;
- Be a non-profit, non-governmental organization (except for national youth councils) registered in the country of operation as a charity, trust, foundation, or association;
- Be officially registered and operational for a minimum of two years prior to the deadline for applications with funding base and project implementation (operating in December 2018 or earlier);
- Be registered and operate in one of the aforementioned countries;
- Have a democratic governance structure and decision-making mechanism, including consultative processes in formulating priorities and policies;
- Have an ability to demonstrate proper and consistent monitoring, evaluation, and record-keeping of their activities, including project evaluation reports and financial accounts;
- Have a gender perspective/balance reflected in their staff, beneficiaries, and activities;
- Have no adherence to or affiliations with violent ideologies or antagonism against any particular country, culture, religion or belief system, ethnic group, gender, etc.; and
- Did not receive funding under past editions of YSF or did not receive the Intercultural Innovation Award.
BENEFITS
- Award funds to implement projects
- comprehensive capacity building and mentorship support
- Organizations that will be awarded with the seed funding for their projects will also take part in structured capacity development program, consisting of workshops and regular mentoring sessions.
- tailor-made mentorship, through workshops that will offer know-how on diverse topics, including organizational development, sustainability and personal safety in the field
- opportunity to network with peers and build connections with the international community.
For more information, visit the official webpage of United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
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