Call for Youth-Led Campaigns Addressing Tech-facilitated Violent Extremism in Africa

The All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) seeks to support innovative, youth-led and faith-inspired online campaigns addressing Tech-facilitated Violent Extremism in Africa. This initiative seeks to support youth campaigns that raise awareness, build resilience and counter the misuse of technology by violent extremist groups. Through this funding, the AACC aims to: Encourage creative, digital solutions to Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE), amplify youth and faith voices in peacebuilding and also promote safe, positive and inclusive online spaces. On 23rd – 26th September, 2025 AACC convened a webinar series featuring interfaith youth dialogues on Preventing and Countering Tech-Facilitated Violent Extremism. The webinar brought Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism together youth leaders, faith-based actors and peace practitioners who were among the registered participants who will be attending the Youth congress in October, all from across Africa.

Over the course of the sessions, participants explored: 
The emerging threats of violent extremist groups exploiting online platforms.

• Developing critical thinking skills and media literacy to reduce vulnerability of online recruitment.

• The role of youth and faith communities in shaping safer digital spaces.

• The role of Women and Youth in Inter and Intra faith dialogue for Preventing and Countering of Violent Extremism.

• Practical strategies for campaign design, pitching and resource mobilization.

• Tools for building sustainable, creative and impactful online initiatives.

This funding opportunity is a continuation of this capacity-building journey, and it will support online campaigns running between November 2025 and February 2026 that directly address the challenge of tech-facilitated violent extremism. 

Who can apply 

Individual youth aged 18- 35 years and youth networks whose members are aged 18 – 35 years from the AACC member churches, associate members or affiliated institutions  

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

1. Registered and Participated in the four days webinar sessions on Inter and Intra faith dialogue on understanding tech facilitated Violent Extremism.

2. Operate within Africa and be affiliated/connected to an AACC member church, faith network, or recognized peace platform.

3. Demonstrate experience or interest in P/CVE, peacebuilding, or digital activism.

4. Have the capacity to manage small grants and online campaigns.

Campaign Requirements

• The campaign MUST directly address tech-facilitated violent extremism in Africa (e.g., online recruitment, disinformation, hate speech, radicalization).

• Must be digital-first (social media campaigns, podcasts, videos, blogs, online challenges, digital art/theatre, etc.).

• Campaign must run actively between 20 November 2025 – 20 January 2026.

• The target audience are Youth, faith communities and the wider online public.

Outputs

• Minimum of 10 online posts/pieces of content.

• At least 5 interactive engagements (e.g., live session, webinar, Twitter/X space, Instagram Live, etc.)

• Clear monitoring of reach, engagement, and impact.

Funding

a.    A minimum of 800 USD and maximum of 2000 USD will be awarded to the selected projects

b.    Funds may cover: Content creation (graphics, videos, podcasts), Social media promotion/ads.
Internet/data costs, Small stipends for youth coordinators, Technical support (design, editing, translation).

c.    Funds cannot be used for: Salaries of full-time staff, Purchase of fixed assets (e.g., laptops, phones), Political or partisan activities.

Application Process

Applicants must:

1. Complete and submit the AACC Youth grants application form on the link provided below

2. Prepare a Budget (max 1 page) with clear cost breakdown

3. Prepare a Profile of applicant group or Individual (short description, previous work, leadership team)

4. Obtain a reference letter from an AACC member church, associate member or felicitated institution

5. Send the above documents in one email to the AACC Executive Secretary, Youth, at youth@aacc-ceta.org with the subject: AACC Youth Grant on ending TFV

Selection Criteria

Proposals will be assessed based on:
1.    Relevance to tech-facilitated violent extremism.
2.    Innovation & creativity of the campaign idea.
3.    Youth engagement (leadership, participation, outreach).
4.    Feasibility within the timeline and budget.
5.    Potential for impact (reach, awareness, behavior change).

Reporting & Accountability

1. A midterm report update by 30th December 2026

2. Final report (narrative + financial) due by 15th March 2026 

A Report must include

1. Evidence of activities (screenshots, links, analytics)

2. Reflections on impact and lessons learned

3. Simple financial accountability (receipts where possible)

Submission Deadline
•    Applications must be submitted by 25th October 2025 
•    Decisions will be communicated by 15th November 2025 
NOTE: This grant is not just about funding, it’s about empowering African youth and faith communities to reclaim digital spaces from violent extremism and use them to spread peace, hope and resilience.