The 2023 International Labour Organization (ILO) youth survey revealed that in Tunisia and Egypt, 80% of youth aged 15-29 worked informally while youth inactivity reaches 17% in Spain and 25% in Türkiye (Education at a Glance 2023 report). The same report claims that for multiple reasons young Mediterranean women are much more vulnerable and affected by dropping out of school and precarious employment. International reports indicate that inadequate learning and skills are key factors contributing to high NEET (youth Not in Employment, Education or Training) rates. Most education systems in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region do not focus on developing critical thinking and other skills necessary for the labour market and active civic life.
Mediterranean Youth Incubator
Project Budget
EU Contribution
Countries
Partners
- To co-design and develop a transnational training program for Mediterranean youth CSOs, blending digital and face-to- face methods, focusing on engagement as a key skill for employment and addressing regional challenges through social and artistic innovation.
- To support and engage young Mediterranean people to advocate for positive changes in Mediterranean societies through the implementation of concrete local and transnational creative actions and promoting original projects.
- Trained 200 young people from Türkiye, France, Spain, Tunisia and Egypt, co-developing and applying innovative learning methods that fostered engagement and enhanced employment skills – digital, creative, and analytical – while addressing Mediterranean challenges.
- Strengthened young people’s civic actions.
- Fostered a transnational participatory dynamic.
- Co-design of a pedagogical framework for the MedYCI training program developed by young Mediterranean participants and experts across five regions.
- Creation of a multidisciplinary team of 30 trainers.
- 5 MedYCI training sessions implemented across 5 countries, directly engaging over 200 youngsters.
- Establishment of five MedYCI studios which will be fully operational to enhance creative young participants skills in each region.
- Strategic recommendations for the Mediterranean Youth Council ensuring they are informed by diverse youth perspectives across the Mediterranean.
- 5 showcases of 50 innovative ideas for a better future of the Mediterranean.
- 25 simultaneous local creative engaged actions executed by youth, across the Mediterranean.
- •10 transnational webtv show (Medtalk) created by MedYCI trained Mediterranean youth.
EVENTS
EVENTS
Mediterranean Youth Incubator Objectives:
- To support young people in transforming innovative ideas into viable and sustainable social projects.
- To strengthen the technical, managerial, and leadership capacities of young social entrepreneurs.
- To provide legal, administrative, and organizational guidance to ensure compliance and sustainability of social initiatives.
- To facilitate access to national and international funding opportunities through partnerships with donors and international organizations.
- To promote social innovation, entrepreneurship, and youth-led solutions that address community needs.
- To contribute to youth employment, civic engagement, and economic inclusion through social entrepreneurship.
Mediterranean Youth Incubator Results:
- An increased number of youth-led social projects successfully launched and sustained through structured incubation support.
- Improved project quality, governance, and financial management among incubated initiatives.
- Enhanced skills and professional competencies of young project owners, including leadership, strategic planning, and fundraising.
- Successful acquisition of financial grants and external funding for incubated projects through international partnerships.
- Positive social impact within local communities through innovative, youth-driven solutions.
- Strengthened networks between young social entrepreneurs, civil society organizations, and international partners.
- Long-term contribution to a supportive ecosystem for youth entrepreneurship and social innovation.
Project card
English (PDF)
Objectives
The incubator is a specialized support platform designed to empower young people by guiding them through the process of transforming innovative ideas into sustainable social projects. It provides a structured environment where youth receive the necessary knowledge, practical tools, and mentorship to develop their concepts into impactful initiatives that address social, economic, and community challenges.
The incubator focuses on strengthening project design, strategic planning, and implementation capacity, while also connecting young entrepreneurs with a wide range of local and international funding opportunities. Through tailored coaching, capacity-building workshops, and one-on-one mentoring, participants are supported in refining their project ideas, developing business and sustainability models, and enhancing their organizational and leadership skills.
Currently, the incubator supports more than 25 active social projects at different stages of development. These projects benefit from comprehensive technical and legal assistance, including guidance on registration procedures, governance structures, compliance requirements, and financial management. In addition, the incubator works closely with international partners and donor organizations to help project owners access financial grants, scale their initiatives, and ensure long-term sustainability and social impact.
project includes:
Project Status
Ongoing
Countries covered
5
Start date
01-01-2025
End date
31-01-2026
Programme
Erasmus+
Key Action
Learning Mobility of Individuals
Action Type
Mobility of youth workers