Applications are open for UNAOC Youth Solidarity Fund – 9th Edition. The Youth Solidarity Fund (YSF) supports youth-led organizations that foster peaceful and inclusive societies. Basically, seed funding is for 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.

The funded projects are youth-led and youth-focused. The age definition used by UNAOC to characterize youth is an individual between the ages of 18 and 35. While the projects target mainly young people, they have an impact on entire communities, often involving religious or political leaders, policy-makers, educational institutions, and media organizations.

Summary

The projects funded by YSF target young people from various backgrounds: students, marginalized youth, minorities, youth in rural or urban areas, youth in conflict or post-conflict situations, artists, and activists. The youth-led organizations employ creative methodologies to break stereotypes, improve intercultural relations and promote a culture of peace, including:

• Educational activities, ranging from one-day awareness-raising sessions to week-long training, peer-education activities, summer camps, as well as the development of educational materials and tools and creation of networks of student leaders and youth clubs.
• Arts and sports as tools to address conflict in a non-violent way, to promote inter-community understanding, and to raise awareness about the dangers of sectarianism, extremism, and radicalization.
• Media and social-media campaigns, video production for advocacy purposes, and radio series to promote messages of tolerance and peace.
• Creative settings that facilitate intercultural dialogue, interfaith understanding, sharing of experiences and learning from each other in order to bring meaningful change to their society.

Who can apply?

• Youth-led organizations registered and/or operational in one of the eligible countries.
• Furthermore, registered youth-led organizations with projects entirely developed and managed by youth and for the benefit of youth.

Click here to download the Guidelines