IUCN Save Our Species, in partnership with the European Commission, is pleased to announce the opening of the call for proposals for the European Fund for Youth Action on Pollinators. 

This initiative supports young leaders across Europe to take action to protect pollinators, vital species that underpin healthy ecosystems and food production, but which are increasingly threatened by habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and other pressures. 

Through this fund, youth-led civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations which have a youth chapter and are active in pollinator conservation in the EU and young individuals are eligible to receive grants to create pollinator-friendly habitats, raise awareness of pollinator importance, improve our understanding of threats, and develop innovative solutions to conserve pollinator populations. 

The Fund aims to foster engagement of young people in implementing the actions of the revised EU Pollinators Initiative: A New Deal for Pollinators, thereby harnessing the potential of European youth for pollinator conservation. It also aligns with the IUCN Youth Strategy 2022–2030, emphasising the power of youth-led, and contributes to key regional and global biodiversity goals, including the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Global Biodiversity Framework.   

Projects funded under these two calls can run up to 15 months and must be implemented within EU countries*. Grants of up to 70,000 EUR will be awarded to youth-led organisations and organisations with a youth chapter and are active in pollinator conservation in the EU, and grants of up to 15,000 EUR will be awarded to individual EU citizens based in the country of project implementation, between 18 and 35 years of age. 

Applications are now open.  

An information session will be held for individuals applying for grants up to EUR 15,000 on 8 July 2025 at 14:00 CEST. Click here to register for this session. 

An information session for organisations applying for the grants up to EUR 70,000 will be held on 9 July 2025 at 11:00 CEST. Click here to register for this session. 

*EU overseas countries, territories, and outermost regions are not eligible.