For African non-governmental organisations (NGOs), keeping track of grant deadlines this month is essential to securing funding for development programmes, policy work, humanitarian response, culture, youth engagement, climate action, health and education.

February 2026 is an especially active month for funding, with multiple verified opportunities closing across diverse sectors.

Each opportunity in this article has been confirmed for accuracy of deadline and relevance to funding opportunities for NGOs in Africa and includes official or authoritative application references where available.

This funding roundup is designed for NGO founders, programme managers, grant officers and nonprofit development teams. It avoids donor marketing language and focuses on clear, reliable, and practical information you need to make timely decisions.

Where possible, the article also links to official application pages or funder sources. Because deadlines are near or fixed, you should confirm all details directly with the funder before submitting.

Check out our expert guide on grant funding for NGOs in Africa – 2026 definitive guide.

Table of Contents

Summary of Grants Closing in February 2026

The table below highlights grant deadlines this month, their funders and sectoral focus to help you plan your applications.

Grant Name	Funder	Sector	Deadline
Business Gala 2026 (Innovation Awards)	Business Gala	Innovation & Entrepreneurship	Feb 9 2026
IDFA Bertha Fund (IBF) Classic	IDFA & Bertha Foundation	Documentary Film	10 Feb 2026
AU–EU Youth Lab Cooperation Grant	African Union & EU	Youth & Policy	Feb 12 2026
Erasmus+ Mobility of Sport Staff (KA182-SPO)	European Union	Training & Sports	Feb 12 2026
Goethe-Institut Heritage Narratives	European Union & Goethe-Institut	Culture & Heritage	13 Feb 2026
TREASURE YRI & ITC Conference Grants	TREASURE Project	Research Travel	Feb 13 2026
FAO Achievement Award 2026	Food and Agriculture Organisation (UN)	Agriculture & Food Systems	15 Feb 2026
Qualcomm Make in Africa 2026	Qualcomm	Technology & Innovation	Feb 15 2026
Theirworld Small Grants Programme	Theirworld	Education & Youth Health	Feb 16 2026
UNESCO-Aschberg Artist Grant	UNESCO	Arts & Expression	Feb 23 2026
WFP Life-Saving Food & Nutrition (Nigeria)	World Food Programme	Humanitarian Aid	Feb 24 2026
Mitigation Action Facility (Call 2026)	Donor Consortium	Climate Mitigation	Feb 25 2026
UNDP Algeria Ecosystem Livelihoods Grant (OP8)	UNDP	Environment & Livelihoods	Feb 26 2026
OpenAI EMEA Youth & Wellbeing Grant	OpenAI	Youth & Digital Wellbeing	Feb 27 2026
Rebecca Rhodes African Inclusive Literacy Research Grant	Rebecca Rhodes Foundation	Inclusive Education	27 Feb 2026
Wilkes Climate Innovation Prize	Wilkes Family Foundation	Climate Innovation	Feb 28 2026
African CSO Awards	African CSO Awards Initiative	Community Development	Feb 28 2026
Black Impact Web Grant	Black Impact	Digital Capacity	Feb 28 2026
Rest of World Photo Contest	Rest of World	Media & Storytelling	Feb 28 2026

Featured Grant Opportunities Closing in February 2026

Business Gala 2026 (Innovation Awards) – Deadline: 9 February 2026

The Business Gala Innovation Awards celebrate enterprises and initiatives that demonstrate strong innovation and can achieve economic or social impact. Although oriented towards enterprise development, NGOs working on innovation ecosystems, youth entrepreneurship, micro-enterprise support or livelihoods programmes may find strategic alignment.

This opportunity functions mainly as an award, offering recognition and exposure. NGOs supporting social enterprises or technology incubation hubs should review the eligibility details and application portal on the official Business Gala site.

Official Business Gala portal.

Do not apply to these grants if you are not grant-ready. Find it why grant-readiness for African NGOs matter.

IDFA Bertha Fund (IBF) Classic – Deadline: 10 February 2026

The IDFA Bertha Fund (IBF) Classic supports documentary film projects that address human rights, social justice, and under-reported global issues.

This opportunity is administered by the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) in partnership with the Bertha Foundation and is one of the most prominent funds for documentary storytelling globally.

For African NGOs collaborating with filmmakers, this funding is most relevant when structured around independent documentary projects that meet the fund’s creative objectives. Note that the lead applicant must typically be the director or producer; NGOs engage as partners rather than lead applicants.

Application deadline: 10 February 2026 (23:59 CET)
You can find the full grant details on IDFA Bertha Fund

AU–EU Youth Lab Cooperation Grant – Deadline: 12 February 2026

The AU–EU Youth Lab Cooperation Grant is a partnership between the African Union and the European Union that supports youth participation in public policy innovation, social inclusion, employment strategies and cross-regional collaboration.

This call typically requires consortium applications, often calling on organisations from different regions to co-design youth engagement pilots.

African NGOs focusing on youth leadership, civic engagement or inter-regional programmes should examine the official AU–EU Youth Lab call documentation for eligibility and consortium formation requirements.

Full details about funding opportunity can be found on AU–EU Youth Lab Cooperation Grant.

Erasmus+ Mobility of Sport Staff (KA182-SPO) – Deadline: 12 February 2026

The Erasmus+ Mobility of Sport Staff action funds exchanges and training for sport sector personnel, including coaches, administrators and programme managers.

African NGOs partnering with European sport institutions may leverage this to support staff development, capacity exchange and strategic learning.

This programme is part of the Erasmus+ framework, and applications must be submitted through the national or European Erasmus+ National Agencies that handle sport mobility grants.

Full details and application guidelines, click Erasmus+ Mobility of Sport Staff Funding.

Goethe-Institut Heritage Narratives – Deadline: 13 February 2026

The Goethe-Institut Heritage Narratives funding opportunity supports non-profit cultural and heritage organisations in Southern Africa as part of the Africa–Europe Partnerships for Culture (AEPC) framework.

Awards of up to €55 000 support collaborative heritage projects that bring together community knowledge, artists, creatives and cultural stakeholders to explore new narratives around tangible and intangible heritage.

Eligible countries include Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Project activities span up to 15 months and require applicants to demonstrate strong organisational governance, financial systems and donor reporting capacity.

Application deadline: 13 February 2026
For more details on how to apply, click Goethe-Institut Heritage Narratives funding

TREASURE YRI & ITC Conference Grants – Deadline: 13 February 2026

The TREASURE Young Researcher Initiative (YRI) and ITC conference grants support travel and participation for early-career researchers at key conferences.

Although not a typical NGO programme grant, NGOs working with research partners or academic units may benefit by facilitating applications for staff or collaborators.

This funding enhances research visibility and supports professional exchange that can strengthen evidence-informed programming and partnerships.

Application details and official links are available via the TREASURE project portal or associated university networks.

FAO Achievement Award 2026 – Deadline: 15 February 2026

The FAO Achievement Award recognises individuals, organisations and institutions that have made outstanding contributions to sustainable agrifood systems, food security, natural resource management, climate resilience and related sectors. Award recipients receive international recognition and a cash prize of USD 10 000.

The award is open globally, including to NGOs that have delivered measurable, replicable impact in food systems, agriculture or rural development.

It celebrates excellence rather than directly funding specific new projects, but the visibility and credibility gained can be valuable for future fundraising.

Deadline: 15 February 2026 (23:59 CET)
Fore official application details, click the FAO Achievement Award.

Qualcomm Make in Africa 2026 – Deadline: 15 February 2026

Qualcomm Make in Africa provides equity-free support, mentorship and technical engagement to early-stage deep-technology startups on the African continent.

NGOs supporting innovation ecosystems, tech hubs, digital skills development or inclusive technology access can connect entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners to this opportunity.

Though primarily designed for startups, NGO ecosystem partners may benefit indirectly through collaboration, mentorship support and co-implementation arrangements.

For a detailed grant information, click Qualcomm Make Grant.

Theirworld Small Grants Programme – Deadline: 16 February 2026

The Theirworld Small Grants Programme offers modest funding to organisations working on education access, youth health, inclusive learning environments and related social outcomes.

Grants are generally smaller in size but geared toward high-impact, community-level interventions.

This call aligns closely with grassroots education and youth health NGOs seeking flexible project funding.

Click Theirworld Small Grants if you want to read more grant details about the grant.

UNESCO-Aschberg Artist Grant – Deadline: 23 February 2026

The UNESCO-Aschberg Artist Grant supports artistic freedom, cultural expression, and the protection of artists at risk.

The programme focuses on mobility, residencies, and policy-relevant cultural engagement that aligns with UNESCO’s mandate on freedom of expression and the status of the artist.

African NGOs working in the creative sector, cultural rights, freedom of expression, or artist support ecosystems may participate either as host institutions or institutional partners.

While individual artists are often the direct beneficiaries, NGOs play a key role in hosting, safeguarding, and implementing supported activities.

This grant is particularly relevant for organisations working at the intersection of culture, human rights, and public policy.

Deadline: 23 February 2026
For official information & application details, click: UNESCO Aschberg Programme Grant.

WFP Life-Saving Food & Nutrition Assistance (Nigeria) – Deadline: 24 February 2026

The World Food Programme (WFP) Nigeria call supports humanitarian partners delivering emergency food assistance, nutrition interventions, and resilience programming in food-insecure communities.

This opportunity is targeted at registered humanitarian NGOs with operational presence in Nigeria, particularly those with experience in food distribution, nutrition screening, cash-based transfers, and emergency response coordination.

Applicants must demonstrate strong compliance capacity, safeguarding systems, and field-level implementation ability in line with WFP standards.

Deadline: 24 February 2026
Official application & partner guidelines: WFP Partner Connect portal

Mitigation Action Facility – Call for Projects 2026 – Deadline: 25 February 2026

The Mitigation Action Facility supports large-scale climate mitigation projects with high potential for greenhouse gas reduction and sustainable development impact. Funding is provided by a consortium of international donors, including Germany, the UK, Denmark, and others.

African NGOs are typically eligible as consortium partners alongside government agencies, development banks, or private-sector entities. Projects often focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, transport, and industrial decarbonisation.

Due to the scale and complexity of this funding, applicants should already have strong institutional capacity and multi-stakeholder partnerships in place.

Deadline: 25 February 2026
Official call & application details can be found on Mitigation Action Facility funding

UNDP Algeria Ecosystem Livelihoods Grant (OP8) – Deadline: 26 February 2026

The UNDP Algeria Ecosystem Livelihoods Grant (OP8) supports initiatives that protect ecosystems while improving community livelihoods. The programme aligns with biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable land-use objectives.

Eligible applicants typically include NGOs, civil society organisations, and research institutions with demonstrated experience in environmental protection, community-based natural resource management, or ecosystem restoration.

Projects must be implemented within Algeria and demonstrate measurable environmental and socio-economic impact.

Deadline: 26 February 2026
Application details: UNDP Algeria programme.

OpenAI EMEA Youth & Wellbeing Grant – Deadline: 27 February 2026

The OpenAI EMEA Youth & Wellbeing Grant supports initiatives that promote youth wellbeing, responsible technology use, and digital safety across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

African NGOs working in youth development, digital literacy, mental wellbeing, or ethical technology education may be eligible. Projects should demonstrate clear social benefit and alignment with responsible AI and technology use.

This funding opportunity is particularly relevant for organisations addressing the intersection of youth wellbeing and digital transformation.

Deadline: 27 February 2026
Grant details: OpenAI Grants Programme

Rebecca Rhodes African Inclusive Literacy Research Grant – Deadline: 27 February 2026

The Rebecca Rhodes African Inclusive Literacy Research Grant supports research initiatives focused on inclusive literacy, disability access, and educational equity across Africa.

This grant is suitable for NGOs, academic institutions, and research-focused organisations working on literacy for persons with disabilities, inclusive education policy, or adaptive learning methodologies.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong research design and ethical considerations, particularly when working with vulnerable populations.

Deadline: 27 February 2026
Official details, check guidelines. Our team broke down the details here: Rebecca Rhodes African Funding

Wilkes Climate Innovation Prize – Deadline: 28 February 2026

The Wilkes Climate Innovation Prize awards funding to projects that deliver scalable, high-impact solutions to climate change. The prize focuses on innovation that can be replicated or expanded across regions.

African NGOs working on climate technology, adaptation, or mitigation may apply directly or through partnerships. Emphasis is placed on measurable outcomes and long-term sustainability.

Deadline: 28 February 2026
Official information: Wilkes Climate Innovation Prize portal

African CSO Awards – Deadline: 28 February 2026

The African CSO Awards recognise civil society organisations that demonstrate exceptional community-led impact across the continent. Rather than funding a specific project, the award celebrates organisational excellence, leadership, and sustained contribution to development outcomes.

Winning organisations gain visibility, credibility, and networking opportunities that can support future fundraising and partnerships.

Deadline: 28 February 2026
Official application: African CSO Awards official website

Black Impact Web Grant – Deadline: 28 February 2026

The Black Impact Web Grant provides digital infrastructure support to organisations working with Black-led or under-represented communities. Funding may support website development, digital storytelling, or online engagement capacity.

African NGOs focusing on digital inclusion, advocacy, or community mobilisation may find this grant particularly relevant.

Deadline: 28 February 2026
Application details: Black Impact official grants page

Rest of World Photo Contest – Deadline: 28 February 2026

The Rest of World Photo Contest awards cash prizes for compelling visual storytelling that documents global technology, culture, and social change outside the Global North.

While individual photographers are the primary applicants, NGOs working in media, documentation, or storytelling may support submissions or collaborate on visual projects aligned with their missions.

Deadline: 28 February 2026
Official contest page: Rest of World website

Who Should Apply for These Grants

The grants closing in February 2026 Africa are relevant to:

Registered African NGOs and CSOs
Humanitarian and development organisations
Youth-focused and education NGOs
Climate, environment, and sustainability organisations
Cultural, arts, and media NGOs
NGOs engaged in research and policy advocacy

Each funder applies specific eligibility criteria. Organisations should always verify requirements directly with the official funder sources before applying.

How to Prepare Before Applying

Ahead of grant deadlines this month, organisations should ensure:

Legal registration and compliance documents are current
Financial systems and reporting capacity are in place
Project concepts align clearly with funder priorities
Internal approval and submission timelines are realistic

Preparation reduces risk and strengthens application quality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are these grants open to all African countries?

Eligibility varies. Some calls are continent-wide, while others are country-specific or regional. Always confirm geographic eligibility on the official funder page.

Can small NGOs apply for these opportunities?

Yes, several grants are suitable for small or grassroots NGOs, particularly awards, small grants, and research funding. Capacity requirements differ by funder.

Are partnerships required?

Some grants require consortium or partnership applications, especially large climate or youth cooperation programmes.

Do these grants require co-funding?

Certain opportunities may require cost-sharing, while others do not. Review each funder’s financial requirements carefully.

Where can I find future grant deadlines?

Monthly round-ups like this one and verified funding alerts help NGOs stay informed.

Staying Updated on Grant Deadlines

Funding landscapes change frequently. Deadlines, eligibility rules, and application portals may be updated by funders.

To stay informed:

Bookmark this page
Check monthly grant round-ups
Subscribe to verified funding alerts

You may also explore related listings such as Grants Closing in January 2026 – Funding Opportunities for African NGOs on FundingOpportunitis.com for additional context and planning.

Final Note

This article has been prepared to support informed decision-making for African NGOs seeking funding opportunities for NGOs in Africa with grant deadlines this month.

All opportunities listed were accurate at the time of publication. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult official funder websites before submission.

19 Grants Closing in February 2026 – Verified Funding Opportunities for African NGOs