Uganda

The purpose of the Youth Action Fund is to identify, inspire, and support small groups of dedicated young people who can mobilize and influence large numbers of their peers to promote open society ideals. The Open Society Institute created this fund as a flexible way to provide small grants and other support to encourage progressive, youth-driven initiatives that are aligned with OSI's mission.

Youth Action Fund Uganda focuses on progressive youth-driven initiatives. The program will provide grants to young people leading innovative public interest projects that address critical issues in their communities and to young people who are engaging in broader public interest projects that aim to transform society.

Eligibility

Applicants must

• be Ugandan legal resident;
• be between the ages of 18-25;
• have completed a secondary school education;
• have a proven track record of engagement in public service or community based work;
• include a letter of recommendation from an authority in the area of the project to be undertaken.

Ineligible Projects

• Travel grants or fees for individuals to attend conferences, workshops, etc.
• Additional degrees, courses, or certificates for an individual
• Organizations or adults applying for grants on behalf of youth

To Apply

Fill out the online application at https://oas.soros.org/oas/. In addition to basic information (such as name, address), applicants will be asked to answer the following questions:

• What is your idea?
• How will you do it?
• What do you need?
• Who will it help?
• Is there anyone you want to work with?
• What is your budget?

Candidates will also be given the option to upload a separate application proposal, budget, CV, and letters of recommendation.

Deadline

We are currently accepting applications on a rolling basis, so you may apply at any time.

Funding Decisions

Grant applications will be reviewed by staff at OSI-Budapest. In cases where minor changes are needed or any part of the application is unclear, applicants may be asked to resubmit.

Complete applications will be forwarded to a three-person panel made up of one representative from the applicant's home country, one representative of the OSI Youth Initiative, and one representative of OSI-Budapest. The panel must unanimously approve the grant for the candidate to receive funding. Proposals can be nominated for partial funding, in which case the panel will state items for funding.

Grants will not be renewable. However, successful projects may be eligible for additional funding through other initiatives of the Soros foundations network. It is expected that some of the projects may have an entrepreneurial component that could allow them to become self-sustaining.

Contact Information

Ronald Rwankangi
Open Society Initiative for East Africa
Plot 89, Buganda Road
Kampala, Uganda
Phone: +256717302979
rrwankangi@osiea.org