The YMI Grant Mechanism
The YMI Grant Mechanism is the bridge between measurement and action, a funding opportunity for local organisations, policy makers, schools, individuals, communities or youth groups ready to use the YMI as a practical tool and test what actually makes a difference in young people's lives.
The Bridge to Action
The YMI Grant Mechanism is the bridge between measurement and action, a funding opportunity for local organisations, policy makers, schools, individuals, communities or youth groups ready to use the YMI as a practical tool and test what actually makes a difference in young people's lives.
Closing Data Gaps
The Grant responds to a clear signal from our 2024 data: knowing where the gaps are is not enough. Young people across countries showed strong aspirations but faced real barriers to turning those aspirations into action. The Grant exists to help close that gap: locally, concretely, and with evidence.
What the Grant Supports
The grant mechanism does not prescribe a fixed activity or programme model. What it does require is that projects follow a four-step learning cycle that keeps measurement and action connected throughout.
Baseline Measurement
Grantees use the YMI tool with their target group to establish a starting point. This identifies which drivers of meaningfulness are strongest and where the most urgent gaps are. The YMI team provides light-touch support: access to the tool, a short orientation package, and guidance on how to use the findings.
Local Implementation
Following the baseline measurement, the grantee identifies a small intervention that will increase the level of meaning for the youth involved in the activity. The grantee is then responsible for implementing the activity.
Endline Measurement
At the end of the implementation period, grantees run the YMI again with the same group. This produces a before-and-after comparison that shows what changed, and by how much, across each of the four drivers.
Learning & Reflection
Grantees submit a short reflection describing what changed, what worked well, what did not, and what they would do differently. This reflection feeds into a growing body of practical evidence about what strengthens meaningfulness in different contexts. It is also the basis for any future collaboration with the YMI network.
Grant Details
Review the core funding details, thematic guidelines, eligibility criteria, and requirements.
Grant size
EUR 1,000 – EUR 4,000 per project. In exceptional cases, up to EUR 5,000 depending on context and justification. The small size is intentional: it ensures accessibility and keeps the administrative burden light.
Who can apply
Schools, civil society organisations, grassroots groups, youth clubs, youth-led initiatives, community-based organisations, small local foundations, and individuals with a credible implementation plan and safeguarding approach. The grant is international in scope.
Thematic focus
Projects should strengthen one or more of the four YMI drivers: Purpose, Social Connectedness, Self-Care, or Physical and Cognitive Engagement. There is no strict thematic focus. What matters is that the activity responds directly to gaps identified through YMI data.
What the grant covers
Baseline and endline YMI measurement; access to the YMI tool; light training and guidance; small-scale implementation costs; materials and equipment linked to the intervention; facilitation, local transport, and youth participation costs.
Application process
Submit a short concept note (1–2 pages) describing: your organisation and the youth group you work with; why you want to use the YMI; how you plan to engage young people; initial activity ideas (to be refined after the baseline); and a budget estimate.
Review cycle
The grant operates on a rolling basis. Applications are reviewed approximately every one to two months.
Ready to Turn Data Into Social Change?
Send your concept note to hello@ymindex.org
Send Concept NoteQuestions? Contact our advisory team at hello@ymindex.org