The EMEA Youth Safety and Wellbeing Funding Program 2026 has opened applications for a total of €500,000 in funding to support projects that promote youth safety, wellbeing, and responsible engagement with artificial intelligence (AI) across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The program aims to strengthen protections for young people, build AI literacy, advance independent research, and develop practical tools that can be used by educators, policymakers, families, and youth-serving organizations.

The funding opportunity prioritizes initiatives that address the intersection of youth development and emerging AI technologies, recognizing both the opportunities and risks associated with AI. Funded projects are expected to generate meaningful, shareable outputs that contribute to safer digital environments and stronger youth wellbeing across the EMEA region.

What Happened

The EMEA Youth Safety and Wellbeing Funding Program 2026 is a regional grant initiative designed to support impactful projects that promote youth safety, wellbeing, and responsible engagement with AI. The program supports organizations working to ensure that young people benefit from AI in ways that are safe, ethical, inclusive, and evidence-based.

The funding opportunity prioritizes initiatives that strengthen protections for young people, build AI literacy, advance independent research, and develop practical tools that can be used by educators, policymakers, families, and youth-serving organizations. The program recognizes both the opportunities and risks associated with AI and seeks to fund work that enhances positive outcomes for children and young people while reducing potential harms.

Background and Context

The EMEA Youth Safety and Wellbeing Funding Program 2026 is part of a broader effort to address the challenges posed by emerging technologies, particularly AI. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into various aspects of life, there is a growing need for research and development that prioritizes youth safety and wellbeing.

The program's focus on youth safety and wellbeing in the context of AI reflects the recognition that young people are among the most vulnerable to the risks associated with emerging technologies. By supporting projects that address these challenges, the program aims to contribute to a safer digital environment for young people across the EMEA region.

Why it Matters to the Industry

The EMEA Youth Safety and Wellbeing Funding Program 2026 has significant implications for the adult industry, which relies heavily on emerging technologies such as AI and streaming infrastructure. As the program's focus areas align with key challenges facing the industry, including age verification, moderation, and cybersecurity, it is essential to understand how this funding opportunity can support the development of safer and more responsible technologies.

The program's emphasis on building AI literacy and education also resonates with the adult industry, which has a vested interest in ensuring that young people are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate emerging technologies safely and responsibly. By supporting projects that promote AI literacy and education, the program can contribute to a more informed and responsible approach to technology development.

What Comes Next

The EMEA Youth Safety and Wellbeing Funding Program 2026 has opened applications for a total of €500,000 in funding. Organizations interested in applying must meet specific eligibility criteria, including being at least 18 years old and representing a running NGO, research institute, or consortium.

Applications will be evaluated based on several weighted assessment criteria, including alignment with project goals, impact and scalability, methodological rigor and ethical design, feasibility and execution, and sustainability and amplification. The program aims to support projects that generate meaningful, shareable outputs that contribute to safer digital environments and stronger youth wellbeing across the EMEA region.

Key Facts

  • The EMEA Youth Safety and Wellbeing Funding Program 2026 has opened applications for a total of €500,000 in funding.
  • The program prioritizes initiatives that strengthen protections for young people, build AI literacy, advance independent research, and develop practical tools that can be used by educators, policymakers, families, and youth-serving organizations.
  • Funded projects are expected to generate meaningful, shareable outputs that contribute to safer digital environments and stronger youth wellbeing across the EMEA region.
  • Applications will be evaluated based on several weighted assessment criteria, including alignment with project goals, impact and scalability, methodological rigor and ethical design, feasibility and execution, and sustainability and amplification.
  • The program aims to support projects that promote youth safety and wellbeing in the context of AI, recognizing both the opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies.