Can I apply as an individual/ youth activist?
No. YSF is designed to support youth-led organizations, not individuals.
Does our organization/network have to be registered to apply?
Yes. YSF is designed to provide support for youth-led organizations to help them grow and implement projects that they may not otherwise be able to do.
What is the definition of youth-led organization and what is the age range we need to comply with?
Youth-led organization has a staff/team made up of young people aged between 18-35 years old who manage projects and day-to-day operations. Therefore, for YSF it is critical that the majority of the decision-makers in your organization as well as the project coordinator are between 18-35 years.
What if the director of the organization is older than 35 years?
That is ok as long as the majority of the decision-makers in the organization, and the project coordinator, are between 18-35 years.
What do you mean by decision-makers?
This is subjective. If your organization has an oversight body of some kind, such as Board, which makes all the decisions then you need to provide information about the Board members. If, however, decisions are made by staff (whether paid or volunteers), then you will provide information about them.
Do all applications have to be in English?
Yes. Some registration documents can be in local language but translation may be required in later stages. Application must be in English.
Do organizations from countries that haven’t received the funding before have a priority?
No. The selection committee takes many factors into consideration. Geographical location is a factor, but not a decisive element.
I have already submitted my application, can I change/update it?
No. There is an option for you to save your application and come back to it any time before the final deadline to add and edit. However, once you click submit, we consider it your final application and further changes to the project content will not be permitted.
What would happen if we change a coordinator after the applications are closed?
This may happen and we understand that a situation may arise when your project coordinator has to be exchanged. However, we do ask you to inform us about these changes immediately. It will not affect the decision but the change must be communicated to us.
Can I use 100% of funding for project activities (not 10% towards salary)?
Yes, of course. This is very welcome.
How many personnel salaries can be factored in?
This is entirely up to you but you have to keep in mind that the total for all salaries do not exceeds 10% of the overall budget.
Why is my country not on the list?
The list of eligible countries is determined by the current Official Development Assistance (ODA) list determined annually by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC). For the YSF 10h edition, all ODA recipient countries are eligible to apply, however the priority will be given to projects most aligned to UNAOC mandate and the UN global agenda.
Does innovation mean we have to present a new idea?
No. Innovation does not apply to new ideas only. It can be a new approach, process and/or methodology.
Can I apply for YSF multiple times?
Yes. If you have not received a funding from UNAOC before, you can apply again. Each year we receive hundreds of applications, which means that many excellent projects do not make it to the final round and organizations are encouraged to try again. Once you receive YSF funding, you are no longer eligible for future editions as we strive to give an opportunity to as many organizations as possible.
Could we apply with existing project that needs more funding to finish?
No. YSF is designed to help youth-led organizations to start new projects and support them to make them sustainable so they continue beyond the YSF cycle.