UN-Habitat launches a call for applications for the Urban Youth Fund.

In a press release, the agency announces that the Fund will for the fifth year in a row provide grants to projects led by young people aged 15-32 years who are piloting innovative approaches to employment, good urban governance, shelter and secure tenure. Small development initiatives are eligible for grants up to $25,000. These grants aim at promoting youth empowerment as the solution for better urban governance.

Indeed, of the one billion slum dwellers in the world today, it is estimated that more than 70% are under the age of 30. These young people have few resources available to improve their own living. Interestingly though, there are many youth-led initiatives in slums and squatter settlements around the world that require support in their efforts to transform their communities. This has led UN-Habitat to reconsider the youth as drivers for change. Through this Fund, UN-Habitat embraces the belief that youth are a solution for sustainable urban development.

The agency invites young people based in cities or towns from the developing world to apply for grants from the Fund. The application will open from February 15th 2013 to April 15th 2013.

More information and details are available at www.unhabitat.org/youthfund.