National youth-led organizations and networks have until 12:00 CEST on August 21, 2026, to apply for catalytic grants of up to US$15,000 under the Advocating for Change for Adolescents Initiative, according to the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH). The 12-month funding round, running from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2027, targets adolescent health and well-being (AHWB) and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across ten eligible countries.
Eligible Countries and Application Requirements
The grant call is open to organizations based in Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, India, and Colombia, as reported by PMNCH. Applicants must be national youth-led organizations, coalitions, or networks that are legally registered or formally recognized. According to programme guidelines, organizations must be governed by young people aged approximately 15 to 29 and must demonstrate advocacy experience or a credible plan for AHWB and SRHR work.
Core Objectives of the 2026–2027 Grant Phase
Building on previous grant cycles running from 2017 to 2025, the initiative aims to strengthen youth-led advocacy networks and national accountability, aligning with the PMNCH Strategy 2026–2030. According to source documentation from opportunitiesforyouth.org, funded projects will support national-level implementation rather than isolated activities. Successful applicants are expected to work jointly with existing national CAAP structures where applicable, avoiding parallel initiatives that could duplicate current efforts.
The programme outlines four primary objectives: strengthening youth advocacy capacity, improving coordination among country partners, increasing government accountability for national commitments, and raising the visibility of adolescent health priorities among policymakers, civil society, and UN agencies, as detailed by pmnch.who.int.
Did You Know? The Advocating for Change for Adolescents programme has actively supported youth-led advocacy since 2017, helping build a global cadre of young advocates focused on governmental accountability for adolescent health rights.
Funding Terms and Disbursement Structure
Grants provide up to US$15,000 per organization for a 12-month duration. Disbursements are issued in installments that remain strictly tied to agreed deliverables and the submission of required reports, according to PMNCH guidelines. The funding is intentionally catalytic, designed to help organizations expand ongoing advocacy efforts rather than provide unrestricted operational support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the application deadline for the PMNCH AY Grants?
Applications are due by 12:00 CEST on August 21, 2026.
How much funding can an organization receive?
Selected organizations can receive up to US$15,000 for a 12-month grant period.
Which countries are eligible for the grants?
Eligible countries include India, Colombia, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia.
Where should applications be submitted?
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