Deadline: October 2, 2025
The Call for Proposals: Small Grants Initiative is now open, offering young leaders across Africa an opportunity to access funding that supports climate change adaptation, leadership, and community capacity building. The programme, spearheaded by the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) in partnership with Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), aims to strengthen youth leadership through knowledge transfer and practical community engagement.
This Small Grants Initiative is designed to enable trained youth focal points to replicate and adapt the skills and toolkits they have acquired in their home countries, ensuring long-term impact and sustainability in climate change adaptation and youth development.
About the Small Grants Initiative
The initiative provides financial support to youth leaders who have successfully completed the GCA-MMUST training programme. Grantees are expected to use the Toolkit for Youth on Adaptation and Leadership alongside modules on:
- Proposal writing
- Grant management
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Communication strategy
- Programme design and implementation
- Climate change adaptation
- Peace and conflict transformation
Through this toolkit, the programme ensures that beneficiaries are equipped to design, manage, and deliver effective replication projects that directly benefit their communities.
Who Can Apply
To be eligible for the Call for Proposals: Small Grants Initiative, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a focal point representing their country under the GCA-MMUST initiative.
- Have successfully completed the training programme.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to youth engagement and community capacity building.
- Submit a feasible replication project adapted to their local context.
- Be ready to implement the activity within one month of receiving the grant.
Grant Details
- Grant amount: €2,000 per applicant.
- Purpose: Exclusively for the replication of training using the toolkit.
- Implementation timeframe: Activities must be executed within one month of grant disbursement.
Grantees are expected to:
- Conduct replication sessions using the GCA toolkit and training modules.
- Adapt the training content to fit local needs while maintaining alignment with the programme.
- Ensure diversity and inclusivity, especially in youth participation.
- Document activities and share reports, success stories, and peer learning outcomes.
- Complete a post-replication survey.
Proposal and Selection Criteria
Applicants are required to submit a proposal not exceeding 4 pages, alongside a budget prepared using the provided template. Each section has a set word limit that must be observed.
Evaluation will be based on:
- Eligibility (Pass/Fail)
- Organisational profile and past projects – 10 points
- Background and project description – 20 points
- Objectives and target population – 10 points
- Methodology – 15 points
- Activities and outputs – 20 points
- Team expertise – 5 points
- Communication strategy – 5 points
- Budget and cost-effectiveness – 15 points
Note: Applicants must score at least 80 out of 100 points to qualify for funding.
Key Deadlines
- Submission deadline: 30th September
- Notification of successful applicants: 15th October
- Grant disbursement: 30th October
Application Process
Applicants should submit their proposals by email to:
nnyandiko@mmust.ac.ke
- Copy:
eunodago@gmail.com
Final Thoughts
The Call for Proposals: Small Grants Initiative is a unique opportunity for trained youth leaders to replicate and localise impactful projects in their home countries. With a €2,000 grant and strong technical backing from GCA and MMUST, successful applicants will be empowered to scale adaptation and leadership practices, ensuring inclusive youth engagement across Africa.
If you are eligible, act quickly—deadlines are strict, and the implementation period is short. This is your chance to lead transformation in your community.
👉 Click here to apply
👉 Read more about the programme
💡 Need expert support with your proposal? Contact us for proposal drafting, refining, and review to maximise your chances of success.