Empowering Youth to Build a Better Future: Apply for the Habitat Youth Solutions Grant

Across the Asia-Pacific region, millions of families struggle with inadequate housing. The challenge of building sustainable, affordable, and resilient communities requires fresh perspectives and bold ideas. That is why Habitat for Humanity is launching the Habitat Youth Solutions Grant, an initiative designed to support youth-led solutions that address housing challenges in their communities.

This grant will invest in up to ten innovative, community-driven projects, each receiving $4,000 in seed funding to implement or scale their solutions. In total, this initiative is expected to benefit approximately 4,000 individuals across the region.

If you are a young leader, an aspiring changemaker, or part of a youth-led organization with a solution to help improve housing conditions in your community, this is your opportunity to bring your ideas to life.

Why Apply?

Selected applicants will not only receive financial support but will also be invited to participate in the Habitat Youth Assembly in the Philippines from June 24-26, 2025. This event will bring together 40 shortlisted youth-led solutions, providing a platform to:

• Learn from experts in housing, climate change, and social inclusion

• Network with the 2023 Habitat Youth Solutions winners and other changemakers

• Collaborate with peers from across the region to explore opportunities for growth and funding

Additionally, up to 10 winning solutions will be paired with expert mentors to help refine and implement their projects.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are open to youth-led organizations, individuals, and social enterprises operating in the following countries:

Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam.

To qualify, applicants must:

• Be aged 18 to 30 at the time of application

• Lead or be part of a youth group, youth-led organization, or social enterprise

• Ensure their proposed solution benefits the wider community and can be scaled or replicated in Habitat-supported communities

• Have no affiliations with discriminatory practices or radical ideologies

What Kind of Solutions Are We Looking For?

The Habitat Youth Solutions Grant supports youth-led initiatives that aim to improve housing ecosystems and promote sustainable communities. Eligible solutions must:

• Be developed and managed by young people

• Address affordable, decent, and inclusive housing

• Consider factors such as climate resiliency, urbanization, and multi-dimensional poverty

• Be implemented and completed by December 2025

How to Apply

The application process is open from February 28, 2025, to April 13, 2025. To apply, submit the following materials through this application link:

1. Completed online application form, including:

   • Project summary and objectives

   • Community challenges and proposed solutions

   • Expected outcomes and sustainability plan

   • Budget breakdown for the $4,000 grant

2. A 60-second video pitch explaining the proposed project

Key Dates

• February 28, 2025 – Call for applications opens

• March 15, 2025 – Live Q&A session

• March 29, 2025 – Follow-up Q&A session (if required)

• April 13, 2025 – Application deadline

• May 2, 2025 – Announcement of shortlisted youth solutions

• June 24-26, 2025 – Habitat Youth Assembly in the Philippines

• June 26, 2025 – Announcement of grant winners

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Relevance (20%) – How well the solution addresses a pressing housing challenge

• Impact (20%) – The potential to create measurable change in the target community

• Innovation (20%) – The freshness and creativity of the approach

• Feasibility (20%) – Whether the project is realistic and can be effectively implemented

• Sustainability (20%) – The potential for long-term impact beyond the grant period

Applications will be screened by Habitat for Humanity country offices to ensure alignment with local priorities and feasibility within the proposed location. Shortlisted applicants will present their projects to a panel of experts for final evaluation.

Benefits for Winning Solutions

Up to 10 winning youth solutions will receive:

• $4,000 in funding to implement or scale their projects

• Mentorship from experts in housing, sustainability, and community development

• The opportunity to showcase their work at global Habitat for Humanity events

Additionally, the top 40 shortlisted teams will participate in the Habitat Youth Assembly, gaining exposure to potential funders, partners, and investors.

Take Action Now

The Habitat Youth Solutions Grant is more than just funding—it is an opportunity to create lasting change in communities that need it most. If you have an idea that can make housing more accessible, resilient, and inclusive, now is the time to act.

Apply today and be part of a movement that empowers young leaders to build a better future.

Deadline: April 13, 2025
Apply now!

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