Girl Up is accepting applications for its 2026 Project Awards, trust-based microgrants for youth leaders with practical ideas to advance gender justice. Unlike conventional institutional donor schemes, these awards do not require a registered NGO, making them accessible to student clubs, newly established youth groups and independent young organisers. The current window opened on 15 October and closes on 31 October 2026, with no extension advertised.
Grant at a glance
- Geography: International, subject to the fund’s published country-transfer restrictions
- Funding: Leader of Self up to US$500; Leader of Peers up to US$1,000
- Application deadline: 31 October 2026
- Access route: Open youth-led grant application; no nonprofit registration required
What the fund supports
There are two active funding tiers. Leader of Self provides up to US$500 for groups at an early stage of youth-led community work; Leader of Peers offers up to US$1,000 for more developed youth leadership initiatives. The awards are intended to support real activities such as workshops, digital organising, accessibility, transport, space and project materials. They are grants for youth-led projects, not salaries or unrestricted income for a large organisation.
Who can apply
Applicants must be youth leaders aged 13–25 who have an idea addressing gender justice in their community. A youth group need not be a Girl Up Club+ or formally registered. An applicant younger than 18 requires adult approval and a co-signature to receive funds. Girl Up’s current rules exclude a list of countries from fund transfers and apply additional screening in some others, so teams must check the official country section rather than infer that all regions qualify equally.
How to prepare a credible proposal
Strong applications identify a genuine local inequality, who is affected, how participants informed the proposed activities, and what change the group can demonstrate. Applicants could plan a peer-led initiative about school safety, menstrual health access, disability inclusion or young women’s participation, provided the specific activities fit the published programme. Costs should be concrete and proportional to the modest grant ceiling. Photos and stories of minors require appropriate consent and safeguarding.
Application steps and deadline
Review the grant tiers and downloadable application questions on Girl Up’s official page, then complete the application during the 15–31 October window. Choose only one tier; applying to both is not permitted. The funder says selected applicants will hear during the final week of November, funds begin transferring in December, and implementation generally runs January to April. Teams should not commit to expenditures assuming the funds arrive immediately.
Eligibility and budget risks
Girl Up’s model emphasises youth ownership, learning and action. A proposal should not sound like an adult-led NGO using young people as a front for an institutional project. It should identify who among the youth group makes decisions, the planned outputs and a reasonable method of recording progress. An applicant younger than 18 should plan the authorised guardian banking arrangement early, without sharing unnecessary personal information in public materials.
Illustrative project approach
For illustration, a youth club could organise a short campaign to improve girls’ access to safe learning spaces, gather anonymous student feedback and present recommendations to school decision-makers. It might use a US$500 budget for accessible materials, transport, facilitation and documentation. The strongest framing would specify tangible actions and youth leadership rather than promising to eliminate gender inequality with a one-time event.
Application readiness checklist
- Confirm legal, geographic and applicant-type eligibility against the official call.
- Collect evidence of previous work and get required letters or registrations before submission.
- Build an itemised budget that matches the proposed activities and funding ceiling.
- Describe specific outcomes, indicators, responsible people and a feasible timeline.
- Submit through the published channel and save the confirmation before the deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Do applicants need a registered nonprofit?
No. Girl Up accepts youth groups, activists and Girl Up Clubs+.
What is the age range?
Youth leaders aged 13–25.
Can one group apply to both active tiers?
No. Select the most appropriate tier.
What if the applicant is under 18?
An adult must authorise and co-sign receipt of the funds.
When is the deadline?
31 October 2026, with no advertised extension.
Conclusion
This opportunity is best approached after checking the eligibility requirements, evidence and reporting obligations. Read the official funder guidance and application instructions before submitting. Information verified on 24 October 2026; funders may revise procedures or close application windows.
For additional organisation-level preparation, use the Africads Funding Readiness Toolkit to identify material gaps before committing to an application.
