YOURS – Youth for Road Safety has opened its 2026 Local Actions programme for young people proposing safer, fairer and more sustainable movement in their communities. Projects must be implemented in Kenya, India or Mexico. The programme offers up to US$5,500 per selected project as well as mentorship, technical guidance, technology for community engagement and access to local partners. Nairobi and Mombasa are named among priority locations, making the opportunity particularly relevant to Kenyan youth coalitions.
Grant at a glance
- Geography: Kenya, India and Mexico, with priority locations including Nairobi and Mombasa
- Funding: Up to US$5,500 seed funding plus technical assistance and mentorship
- Application deadline: 15 November 2026, 23:00 CET
- Access route: Open project call for young Global Youth Coalition members
What the fund supports
Three themes are available: sustainable, inclusive and active mobility; motorcycle safety; and safer street design. Project approaches may involve policy advocacy, community mobilisation with measurable outcomes, improved public spaces or technology and data. Education alone is not sufficient. An eligible project must show a concrete response to a real mobility or road safety problem with outcomes capable of being assessed, not only a promise to hold awareness sessions.
Who can apply
The application leader must be an official member of the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety and be aged 18–35. Membership registration is free. Every project needs an in-country implementing team and a committed locally registered partner organisation; the partner must provide registration documents or articles of association and a commitment letter. Universities, NGOs, enterprises or authorities may be partners if they meet the published requirements. A leader may submit only one proposal.
How to prepare a credible proposal
A strong proposal starts with evidence about a specific high-risk route, transport mode or population. A Kenyan applicant could use crash records, a documented road-safety audit, traffic observations or mapped school pedestrian risks. Set measurable targets such as adopting a speed-reduction recommendation, documenting protected pedestrian access or securing an agreed change in a junction design. Match the intervention to a realistic team, timeline and stakeholder permission rather than claiming to rebuild streets without municipal support.
Application steps and deadline
Read the official guidelines and enter the application platform from the YOURS Local Actions page. Proposals must be in English. Applicants should join the Global Youth Coalition, agree on a partner organisation, obtain the partner’s formal commitment and prepare a clear budget. The formal deadline is 15 November 2026 at 23:00 CET. The programme offers extra evaluation points for submissions by 5 November and for certain priorities, but early application is not mandatory.
Eligibility and budget risks
Administration may take no more than 5% of the requested total. The team leader must participate in mandatory onboarding and an online residency if selected. Applications are evaluated for evidence, feasibility, local government engagement, alignment with road safety priorities and other factors. A local authority support letter is recommended but not an absolute condition. Avoid depicting access to a government road or public space as guaranteed without permission.
Illustrative project approach
For example, a Mombasa youth association working with a registered partner could study a hazardous school crossing, run a pedestrian audit with residents, present a design and speed-management case to relevant authorities, and document stakeholder commitments. The budget would distinguish community research, accessibility measures, materials and evaluation. An activity-only proposal promising flyers without an identifiable safety improvement would be a weaker match.
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
Can youth in Kenya apply?
Yes, Kenya is one of three eligible project countries.
Is the maximum grant US$5,500?
Yes. Selected teams also receive non-cash technical support.
Do applicants need a registered partner?
Yes, a formally committed in-country partner is mandatory.
Can a purely awareness-based campaign qualify?
No. Education-only projects are not funded.
When is the final deadline?
15 November 2026 at 23:00 CET.
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.
