What is the India Youth Fund Window? The India Youth Fund Window is a joint program between UN-Habitat and Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation to support urban youth in India with the aim of advancing the achievement of youth empowerment, the Millennium Development Goals, and the Habitat Agenda. The India Youth Fund Window is a specific funding mechanism under the UN-Habitat Urban Youth Fund for Indian youth financed by the Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation.

 

Who can apply for grant? Youth-led groups based in India where majority (50% and above) of the management and board are aged between 15 and 32 years may apply for the India Youth Fund Window. The youth group has to be registered for at least one year before the application deadline (15th April). Projects must be implemented within an urban area as defined by the Census of India.

 

How do I know whether the place I am planning to do my project is a city or town? For the India Youth Fund Window, an urban area is defined as:

  • All places with a municipality, corporation, cantonment board or notified town area committee etc.

All other places which satisfy the following criteria:

  • Minimum population of 5000;
  • At least 75% of male working population engaged in non-agricultural pursuits; and
  • A density of population of at least 400 persons per sq km (1000 per sq mile).

 

You may also want to use Google or other search engines to check the population of your city or town. The information may also be available with your local administration.

 

What are eligible organizations? Organizations must have been legally registered for at least one year. They must be non-profit, non-government (NGOs or CBOs) and youth-led. They must have a valid bank account. They must involve girls and young women at all levels of decision-making.

 

What is an NGO? A Non-governmental Organization (NGO) is a legally constituted organization that operates independently from any government. The term is usually applied only to organizations that pursue some wider social aim.

 

What is a CBO? Community organizations (sometimes known as community-based organizations) are civil society non-profits that operate within a single local community. Like other nonprofits they are often run on a voluntary basis and are self-funding.

 

What organizations are not eligible? Organizations that carry out religious evangelization and organizations affiliated with political parties are not eligible. Organizations where the majority of staff and board members are not aged between 15-32 years are not eligible.

 

What projects are supported? Youth-led Development involves young people actively creating a better future for themselves and their communities, usually based at the grassroots level and are largely carried out by youth volunteers. Initiatives address a broad range of community needs such as health, employment, access to affordable housing, secure land tenure, safer cities and participation in decision-making. The objective of the project is also to develop valuable skills of management, teamwork etc among young people and boost their ability to acquire jobs and participate actively in society.

 

Is it compulsory for my organization to involve girls and young women? Yes! The Urban Youth Fund aims for gender equality and applicant organizations should therefore engage both female and male youth equally in the implementation of the project and among the beneficiaries. Organizations that do not involve girls and young women are not eligible.

 

What is the amount of the grants? Youth-led projects may receive grants of up to INR 8 Lacs.

 

How much does it cost to apply? Nothing! The India Youth Fund Window will not require you to pay any fee during the entire process of your application.

 

Can I apply for more than one project? No! Organizations can submit only one application for each annual deadline. Organizations may however, apply for the Fund the following year if not successful. Organizations that apply for more than one project will be disqualified.

 

When and where will the results be announced? The results will be announced on the Urban Youth Fund website: www.unhabitat.org/youthfund and the Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation website:www.nsfoundation.co.in on before 15th October (within six months of the application deadline). Successful applicants will be individually notified by e-mail.

 

How do I apply for a Fund grant? The application form is available online at http://unhabitatyouthfund.org. To access it, you have to first register on the front page, and then download the application guidelines and application form.