Youth Solidarity Fund

Programme Overview

The Youth Solidarity Fund (YSF) provides seed funding to youth-led organizations dedicated to fostering peaceful and inclusive societies. YSF supports projects, designed and developed for and by young people, that demonstrate innovative and effective approaches to intercultural or interfaith dialogue. In addition, YSF offers capacity-building and mentorship support to strengthen project implementation and enhance organizational development.

Established in 2008, YSF was initiated in direct response to calls for action made by young civil society leaders across the world, who emphasized the importance and necessity of establishing funding mechanisms for youth-led organizations. As the global agenda increasingly acknowledges the role of young people in peace, development and security matters, it is critical to listen and respond by offering funding and partnership opportunities.

The funded projects are both youth-led and youth-focused, targeting individuals aged 18 to 35 years. While the principal beneficiaries of these projects are young people, the impact often resonates throughout entire communities, involving religious and political leaders, policy-makers, educational institutions and media organizations.

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Youth Solidarity Fund – 11th Edition

The current global landscape is characterized by an escalation of stigma and hostility. Incidents of discrimination and hate speech have increased worldwide, exacerbating divisions among communities. Despite being disproportionately affected by violence, conflict and poverty, young people today actively seek engagement, mutual support and change. Their increasing participation in initiatives aimed at fostering a more peaceful and inclusive societies and the growing movement of young people dedicated to the Youth, Peace and Security agenda, demonstrates this commitment. The unanimous adoption of UN Security Council resolutions 2250 (2015), 2419 (2018) and 2535 (2020) further underscores the powerful role of youth as agents of social change, economic growth, and technological advancement.

Recognizing the vital role of young people in promoting peace, the Youth Solidarity Fund invests in the agency and capacity of youth to create and implement their projects that address the underlying causes of intolerance and discrimination while promoting inclusion and respect for diversity. By acting as a bridge between formal and informal structures, the YSF enables young people to implement their own projects and facilitates interactions with decision-makers.

UNAOC has developed and implemented activities that seek to address Pillar I of the UN Counter-Terrorism Global Strategy (A/RES/60/288): Measures to address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism. UNAOC recognizes the unique position of young people to counter and prevent violent extremism within their communities, leveraging their valuable insights, influence and credibility. Therefore, YSF supports youth-led civil society organizations, with a particular emphasis on the role of young people in promoting peace and preventing violent extremism when and as conducive to terrorism. This is achieved by fostering partnerships and offering financial resources to help young people implement activities that prevent violent conflict, promote peace and foster social inclusion. YSF functions as a small grant-making mechanisms to enable youth to develop initiatives that strengthen community resilience against violent extremism conducive to terrorism.

YSF incorporates a comprehensive capacity-building and mentorship program for its grant recipients. This vital component features structured workshops and regular mentorship sessions. The tailored mentorship offers expertise in various areas, including organizational development, sustainability, and personal safety in the field. Additionally, the program provides opportunities for networking and building connections with the international community.

In June 2025, UNAOC launches its call for project proposals for the 11th edition of the Youth Solidarity Fund. YSF seeks proposals that empower young people to promote cultural and religious pluralism, peace and mutual respect. Proposals that focus on the role of young people in promoting cultural and religious pluralism, peace and mutual respect, preventing violent extremism when and as conducive to terrorism, addressing the increased stigma and discrimination, fostering respect for different religions and cultures, tackling the root causes of polarization and identity-based conflicts, are particularly encouraged.

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Impact

Since its inception in 2008, UNAOC has successfully launched ten editions of the Youth Solidarity Fund (YSF), providing financial support to youth-led organizations across Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. Total of $2.59 million has been invested, funding 80 projects in over 43 countries and positively impacting more than 3.4 million beneficiaries.

YSF funded projects reach a diverse group of young people, including students, marginalized youth, minorities, those living in rural or urban areas, youth in conflict or post-conflict settings, artists and activists. These youth-led organizations use creative methodologies to break down stereotypes, enhance intercultural understanding, and foster a culture of peace through:

• Educational activities, ranging from short sessions to longer trainings, peer education, summer camps as well as developing educational toolkits, resources and youth networks;
• Arts and sports, to address conflict non-violently and promote inter-community understanding while raising awareness about sectarianism, violent extremism, and radicalization;
• Media and social media campaigns, including video production and radio series for advocacy of peace and respect for diversity;
• Creation of inclusive environments that encourage intercultural and interfaith dialogue, experience sharing, and peer learning for positive social change.

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Resource Bank

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