Applications are now open for the UNAOC Youth Solidarity Fund 2019 in the USA.  The Youth Solidarity Fund (YSF) supports youth-led organizations that foster peaceful and inclusive societies. Seed funding is to projects, for and by young people, that demonstrate innovative and effective approaches to intercultural or interfaith dialogue. Established in 2008, the Fund responded to calls for action made by youth-led organizations around the world. Further,  on the importance of establishing funding mechanisms for youth. Today, the Fund 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 support this participation and contribution through funding and partnership opportunities.

The funded projects are by youth  (18-35 years) but have an impact on entire communities. Often involving religious or political leaders, policy-makers, educational institutions, and media organizations. The Fund also links small scale and local work to larger movements for social and global change. Further, for a broader and deeper impact.
Since 2008, UNAOC has launched seven YSF editions and provided funding to youth-led organizations based in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. A total of 63 projects were funded by the end of 2018 reaching 94,055 direct beneficiaries in 39 countries. In total, more than 1.7 million direct and indirect beneficiaries have been impacted over the past ten years.

The projects funded by the 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.

Benefits

• UNAOC offers technical support and capacity building to the organizations. Further,  during and/or after the implementation of funded projects in the areas of gender mainstreaming, media relations, advocacy, financial management, networking, sustainability, monitoring, and evaluation.
• The selected organization will be contacted by UNAOC via email and provided with information on further steps, draft agreements to be signed and a schedule of payments.

Eligibilities

Eligibility criteria for youth organizations:

• Be a non-profit, non-governmental organization. (with the exception of national youth councils) registered in the country of operation as a charity, trust, foundation or association;
• Further, be officially registered and operational for a minimum of 2 years by the deadline.
• For applications with funding base and project implementation (e.g. operational in August 2017 or earlier);
• Operate in one of the eligible 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. Also, record-keeping of their activities, including project evaluation reports and financial accounts;
• Likewise, 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.