UN Decade Youth Task Force Microgrant

The UN Decade Youth Task Force Microgrant initiative is a strategic effort aimed at empowering youth-led organizations in advancing global ecosystem restoration. Backed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), this program aligns with the objectives of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. It focuses on mobilizing young leaders to take action on restoring degraded environments across various biomes. The Task Force, composed of youth stakeholders from around the world, designs and oversees this microgrant scheme as part of its commitment to sustainable and inclusive ecological recovery. The microgrants target projects that focus on the restoration of diverse ecosystems, including farmlands, forests, freshwater systems, grasslands, shrublands and savannahs, mountains, oceans and coasts, peatlands, and urban areas. By providing catalytic financial support, the program aims to amplify the role of youth in climate resilience and biodiversity recovery. Each selected project will receive up to USD 1,000, with a total of 10 microgrants awarded in this cycle. The distribution prioritizes equitable geographic access, with 80% of the funds allocated to the Global South and 20% to the Global North. Eligibility for this funding is limited to youth-led organizations, although specific legal status or documentation requirements are not detailed in the call. The program emphasizes the importance of community leadership and grassroots innovation. The application process is fully digital and open to all qualifying organizations until December 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM UTC. Applicants must adhere to strict guidelines, including a prohibition on the use of artificial intelligence to generate or assist with application responses. Violations of this policy will result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to review the grant call description and ensure alignment with the program's goals and restoration focus areas. The online form requires submission of project details, organizational information, and alignment with restoration outcomes. No pre-application stage or concept paper is indicated, making the final submission the primary entry point for consideration. Evaluation will focus on project feasibility, youth leadership, impact potential, and alignment with the UN Decade goals. While no detailed evaluation rubric is provided, the emphasis on geographic equity and thematic alignment suggests a competitive process aimed at high-quality, mission-driven initiatives. Interested applicants can find further information and updates on the Task Force’s Instagram page, youth network platform, and official webpage. Questions or inquiries regarding the program may be directed to the organizing team at ytfdecade@gmail.com. There is no publicly linked PDF version of the call or application, and the call does not include a named contact person. The application window spans from December 1 to December 31, 2025, and the program operates on an annual cycle, with the next expected cycle anticipated to open in December 2026.

Adhere strictly to the AI-use prohibition; align project clearly with one of the target ecosystem types.