The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), in partnership with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), has launched a Call for Proposals for the Creating Opportunities for Youth and Women in Africa (COYWA) Programme. This funding initiative aims to strengthen youth and women\u2019s socio-economic empowerment, advance gender equality, and promote inclusive development across the African continent.<\/p>\n
This opportunity is open to civil society organizations, women-led and youth-led enterprises, and public institutions working to improve livelihoods, build leadership capacity, and support gender and youth-focused development.<\/p>\n
The African Union Development Agency\u2013NEPAD is the continental development agency of the African Union. Its mandate includes coordinating and implementing regional and continental development priorities, supporting member states with advisory services and capacity development, and advancing resource mobilization efforts. AUDA-NEPAD plays a key role in driving Agenda 2063, promoting regional integration, and strengthening Africa\u2019s development institutions.<\/p>\n
The COYWA Programme builds on the long-standing partnership between AUDA-NEPAD and the Government of Spain through AECID. The initiative directly supports the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG 5 on gender equality) and Agenda 2063 Goals 17 and 18, which focus on gender equality, youth empowerment, and children\u2019s rights.<\/p>\n
COYWA was established to tackle socio-economic and gender inequalities by providing targeted support to youth and women. The programme addresses challenges such as limited access to vocational training, financial resources, entrepreneurship opportunities, digital technologies, and sexual and reproductive health services.<\/p>\n
The Call for Proposals seeks to identify and support organizations working to:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Advance socio-economic inclusion of youth and women
\u2022 Promote transformative leadership in politics, business, and community development
\u2022 Strengthen Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)
\u2022 Expand opportunities for youth and women to participate in local and national development<\/p>\n
Funded projects should contribute to long-term empowerment and improved gender equality outcomes.<\/p>\n
Projects submitted under this call should contribute to one or more of the following areas:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Economic empowerment and financial inclusion, including vocational training, business incubation, and social protection
\u2022 Technology and digital inclusion for youth, women, and girls
\u2022 Health, nutrition, and SRHR services that improve well-being and bodily autonomy
\u2022 Prevention and response to Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), with emphasis on community engagement and legal protection
\u2022 Leadership development for youth, women, and girls at all levels of decision-making
\u2022 Strengthening human security in humanitarian action, migration, and climate-related interventions
\u2022 Capacity-building for institutions implementing gender equality commitments
\u2022 Improving voice and agency of youth, women, and girls in public and private spaces<\/p>\n
Projects supported through COYWA are expected to deliver:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Matching grants to strengthen women-led businesses and business incubation centers
\u2022 Increased access to market-oriented vocational training for youth and women
\u2022 Expanded digital access and funding for gender-responsive tech solutions
\u2022 Improved SRHR services and health outcomes for women and girls
\u2022 Reduced levels of gender-based violence and stronger community protection systems
\u2022 Stronger institutional mechanisms for gender governance
\u2022 Greater participation of women and youth in leadership and peace processes
\u2022 Increased voice, agency, and participation in community and public decision-making<\/p>\n
The COYWA Programme aims to improve the capacities, autonomy, and livelihoods of African women and youth, resulting in greater economic independence, stronger leadership, and enhanced contribution to community development.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Total available funding: EUR 1,800,000
\u2022 Maximum amount per Regional Economic Community (REC): EUR 360,000
\u2022 Maximum grant per applicant: EUR 120,000
\u2022 Minimum grant: EUR 0 (concepts may propose smaller-scale interventions)
\u2022 Project duration: Up to 24 months
\u2022 Eligible RECs: EAC, COMESA, SADC, ECOWAS, ECCAS<\/p>\n
Each applicant may receive only one grant under this call.<\/p>\n
To qualify, applicants must meet the following requirements:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Be legally registered in an African Union Member State
\u2022 Be a civil society organization, youth-led enterprise, women-led enterprise, cooperative, or relevant public institution
\u2022 Have at least two years of operational experience
\u2022 Demonstrate relevant expertise in youth empowerment, women\u2019s empowerment, SRHR, GBV, leadership, livelihoods, or related fields
\u2022 Have the financial and operational capacity to manage project funds
\u2022 Commit to gender equality and inclusive development
\u2022 Be directly responsible for project implementation<\/p>\n
Applicants may apply individually or with partners. Associates may participate but cannot receive grant funding except for travel or per diem. Subcontractors must follow AUDA-NEPAD procurement rules.<\/p>\n
Eligible activities include initiatives that support youth and women in socio-economic empowerment, leadership, digital inclusion, health and SRHR, GBV prevention, and community development.<\/p>\n
Ineligible activities include:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Debt repayments
\u2022 Interest payments
\u2022 Activities already funded by another donor
\u2022 Purchases of land or buildings
\u2022 Currency exchange losses
\u2022 Recoverable taxes such as VAT<\/p>\n
Applicants must submit the following documents:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Official signed letter of interest
\u2022 Concept Note
\u2022 Completed Grant Application Form
\u2022 Detailed Workplan aligned with programme objectives
\u2022 Detailed Budget following AUDA-NEPAD\u2019s templates
\u2022 Legal registration documents
\u2022 Audited financial statements for the last two years
\u2022 Optional: Letters of support from partners or local authorities<\/p>\n
Documents must be submitted in PDF or another electronic format.<\/p>\n
Applications must be sent by email to:<\/p>\n
grants-subdelegation@nepad.org<\/a><\/p>\n Copied to: Deadline: 30 November 2025, 17:00 (South African Time)<\/p>\n Late or incomplete submissions risk being excluded from evaluation.<\/p>\n Questions concerning the call may be submitted by email no later than 15 days before the application deadline. Responses will be made available no later than 10 days before the deadline to ensure equal treatment of all applicants.<\/p>\n Applications will be evaluated based on criteria outlined in the official Guidelines for Applicants. Evaluation will emphasize relevance, impact, feasibility, value for money, and alignment with programme objectives.<\/p>\n AUDA-NEPAD follows strict data protection rules under continental and organizational policies. Personal data will only be used for proposal evaluation and programme implementation and will be kept confidential for the necessary period. False or misleading information will result in disqualification.<\/p>\n Annex A1 Grant Application Checklist.docx<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Annex A2 Concept Note Application Form.docx<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Annex A2 Grant Application Form.docx<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Annex B Projected Grant Budget.xlsx<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Annex C Projected Costed Workplan.xlsx<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Annex D Declaration of Undertaking.docx<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Call for Proposal COYWA – ENG.pdf<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n GRANTS APPLICATION GUIDELINES – ENG_compressed (1).pdf<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Annex A1 Liste de v\u00e9rification de la demande.docx<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Annex A2 formulaire de demande de note conceptuelle.docx<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Annex A2 Formulaire de demande de subventionsous-d\u00e9l\u00e9gation.docx<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Annex D D\u00e9claration d\u2019engagement.docx<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n COYWA_Appel \u00e0 propositions.pdf<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n DIRECTIVES RELATIVES AUX DEMANDES DE SUBVENTIONS.pdf<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Annex A1 Lista de verifica\u00e7\u00e3o da candidatura.docx<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Annex A2 Grant Application Form Port.docx<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Annex A2 Modelo de Nota Conceptual.docx<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Annex D Declara\u00e7\u00e3o de Compromisso.docx<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n COYWA_Convite \u00e0 Apresenta\u00e7\u00e3o de Propostas.pdf<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n DIRETRIZES PARA SOLICITA\u00c7\u00c3O DE SUBVEN\u00c7\u00d5ES.pdf<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
kudzaiishem@nepad.org<\/a>
angelm@nepad.org<\/a>
vincentm@nepad.org<\/a><\/p>\nRequest for Clarifications<\/h1>\n
Evaluation and Selection<\/h1>\n
Data Protection and Privacy<\/h1>\n
Conclusion and Key documents<\/h1>\n