The initiative is organised by UNFPA, in partnership with the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme (SIARP 2.0), Global Programme to End Child Marriage, African Union Innovation Lab, UNDP, UNICEF and UN Women.
Who Can Apply?
The call is open to young African innovators aged 18–35, including social entrepreneurs and digital rights advocates developing youth-led solutions
What Are They Looking For?
Applicants should develop original and practical innovations addressing issues such as:
- Technology-facilitated violence against women and girls
- Child marriage
- Female genital mutilation (FGM)
- Anti-rights narratives and online harm
- Digital safety and censorship
Three Challenge Themes
- Safe Physical & Community Spaces
Solutions that use digital, mobile or civic technology to improve protection and prevention of child marriage, FGM and community-based gender-based violence.
Examples include SMS/USSD/app-based early-warning systems, referral platforms and youth-led community safety networks.
- Safe Informational Spaces
Solutions that provide young people with secure access to accurate comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information.
Examples include youth-friendly chatbots, USSD platforms, digital learning hubs and confidential digital referral tools.
- Safe Digital Spaces
Solutions that tackle technology-facilitated violence, online harassment, anti-rights disinformation and digital censorship.
Examples include digital self-defence platforms, encrypted reporting systems, privacy-preserving AI tools and media literacy solutions.
What Winners Receive
Four winners will receive:
- US$5,000–US$10,000 in seed capital per winner
- Pitch coaching and an opportunity to present at the YouthConnekt Africa Summit in November 2026
- Market access and investor matchmaking opportunities
- Exposure to investors, venture funds and continental development partners
- Continental visibility through UNFPA, Spotlight Initiative and African Union media channels
- Shortlisted innovators and teams will also receive virtual mentorship using the UNFPA Social Innovation Toolkit.
What You Need to Submit
Applicants will be required to provide:
- Team lead and member details
- Selection of one challenge theme
- Problem statement of maximum 200 words
- Innovation description of maximum 700 words
- 12-month implementation roadmap with outputs and milestones
- Digital safety and inclusion note covering safeguarding, data privacy and accessibility
Application Deadline; 18 October 2026 at 23:59 CAT.
Method of Application
Applications should be submitted through the official online application portal.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
