Youth
Leadership Lab

International Labour Organization × E4Impact Africa Foundation

Apply to the Innovation Challenge

The ILO, in partnership with E4Impact Africa Foundation, invites youth-led non-profit organisations in Turkana and Garissa to apply.

Deadline — 30 August 2026, 23:59 EAT

01 — About

Strengthening youth-led organisations in Turkana and Garissa

The ILO-E4Impact Youth Leadership Lab Innovation Challenge aims to identify and strengthen youth-led organisations in Turkana and Garissa that support young people — especially refugees, host-community youth, young women and persons with disabilities — to access decent work and sustainable livelihoods.

Selected organisations will join a five-day Bootcamp and receive up to 10 to 12 months of Lab support to strengthen their institutional, technical and operational capacity, improve service delivery and deepen their role in local development ecosystems. They may also receive milestone-based grant support of between USD 15,000 to USD 40,000, subject to due diligence, approved milestones, budget validation and a signed grant agreement.

5-day
Bootcamp
10–12 months
Lab support
USD 15K–40K
Milestone-based grants

Selection does not automatically guarantee grant funding.

02 — Thematic Tracks

Three tracks, one clear local need

Your project should fit under at least one of these three tracks, respond to a clear local need, and be practical to implement in Turkana and/or Garissa.

Green transitions and climate-resilient livelihoods

Initiatives that support youth employment or livelihoods while protecting the environment and adapting to climate change — for example in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, climate-smart solutions or natural resource management.

Labour rights and youth voice in the world of work

Initiatives that help young people understand their rights at work, improve working conditions, participate in social dialogue, raise concerns safely, and promote non-discrimination, occupational safety and health, and fair treatment at work.

Youth leadership and social accountability

Initiatives that strengthen youth leadership, youth participation in local decision-making, community accountability, feedback mechanisms, inclusion, gender equality and constructive engagement with public, private or community institutions.

All proposed initiatives should show how they will include young women, refugees, host-community youth, persons with disabilities and other marginalised youth.

03 — Eligibility

Who can apply

You can apply if your organisation

  • Is youth-led, with young people in governance, staffing or decision-making

  • Is registered or formally recognised in Kenya as a non-profit entity and can sign a grant agreement

  • Has operational presence in Turkana and/or Garissa, working with refugees, host-community youth, young women, persons with disabilities or other marginalised groups

  • Proposes a project matching one of the three thematic tracks and follows safe, fair, inclusive practices

  • Commits to fully participate in the Innovation Challenge and Youth Leadership Lab

Not eligible

  • Applications from individuals

  • Late applications

  • Incomplete applications

  • Multiple applications from the same organisation

  • Applications that do not meet the minimum eligibility requirements

Eligible organisations

  • Community-based organisations
  • Refugee-led organisations
  • Non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations
  • Cooperatives
  • Education or training institutions
  • Youth hubs and innovation centres
  • Workers' or employers' organisations
  • Research or development institutions

04 — How to Apply

Six steps to submit

  1. 1

    Read the Applicant GuidelinesDownload here

  2. 2

    Check that your organisation meets the eligibility requirements

  3. 3

    Choose your main thematic track

  4. 4

    Complete the online application form

  5. 5

    Prepare your documents for upload

  6. 6

    Submit before the deadline through the official portal

Documents to upload

  • Registration certificate or evidence of formal recognition

  • Two-minute video (link or file)

  • One recommendation or reference letter

Deadline — 30 August 2026, 23:59 EAT. There is no fee to apply.

05 — Feedback

Feedback

The ILO-E4Impact Youth Leadership Lab has a confidential, no-cost channel for questions, feedback or concerns, known as the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM). It covers every stage of the programme: outreach, application, selection, pitching, the Bootcamp, Youth Leadership Lab delivery, grant administration and close-out.

To share your feedback, click on the link below.

Open the Feedback Form
accelerator.kenya@e4impact.org+254 712 526 952(Phone / WhatsApp)

06 — FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Ready to apply?

Applications close on 30 August 2026, 23:59 EAT

accelerator.kenya@e4impact.org+254 712 526 952 (Phone / WhatsApp)

Please only use these official channels for information, submission, feedback, and updates.