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.
A Call for the Establishment of a Ministerial Council of Youth in the Union for the Mediterranean
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
MEDIA
A Call for the Establishment of a Ministerial Council of Youth in the Union for the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean Youth Foundation (MYF) calls for the creation of a Ministerial Council of Youth within the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) to enhance the cohesion of youth policies and improve coordination among member states’ ministers. This initiative is aligned with the UfM’s Youth Strategy 2030, launched in 2021, which aims to ensure stronger youth engagement through concrete actions following the action plan associated with the Mediterranean Youth Academy.
The Ministerial Council of Youth aims to unify youth ministries from UfM countries, fostering collaboration to implement the Youth Strategy and its action plan effectively. MYF previously proposed an Advisory Council of Youth to ensure youth representation in decision-making. This new Ministerial Council will enhance the role of youth in discussions, ensuring that their perspectives influence policy decisions and implementations, thus prioritizing youth matters.
Key procedures to establish this Council include drafting a formal proposal outlining its objectives, structure, and expected outcomes, which should be in alignment with UfM member states’ priorities. The proposal needs to be presented to the UfM Secretariat for inclusion in the decision-making agenda. Following this, it must undergo review during a UfM Senior Officials Meeting and achieve formal ratification, alongside agreement on funding and resources needed for its operation.
In light of critical socio-economic and environmental challenges in the region, the coordination of youth ministers is essential for resilience and sustainable development. The establishment of the Ministerial Council of Youth seeks to consolidate youth leadership, fostering innovation, social cohesion, and long-term economic growth across the Euro-Mediterranean region. MYF urges the UfM to support this recommendation, emphasizing the importance of engaging young people in shaping a prosperous and integrated Euro-Mediterranean future.
- The Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development – MYF calls for the establishment of a Ministerial Council of Youth in the Union for the Mediterranean, a fundamental instrument aimed at ensuring cohesion in youth policies and programs and a better coordination among ministers into the strategic framework of the Mediterranean region.
- Since the Union for the Mediterranean launched its Youth Strategy 2030 in 2021, followed by the announcement of its action plan alongside the third edition of the Mediterranean Youth Academy in 2023, MYF has been advocating for stronger youth engagement. In the past, MYF proposed the creation of an Advisory Council of Youth to ensure that youth voices are consistently represented in the decision-making process through a co management structure.
- The establishment of the Ministerial Council of Youth aims to bring together youth ministries of the UfM states. This Council would foster greater collaboration and coordination among states, develop cohesive policies, and ensure that the Youth Strategy 2030 and its action plan are translated into concrete, actionable results. The Advisory Council of Youth would play a key role, contributing directly to discussions and decisions, ensuring that the perspectives of young people are at the forefront of policy implementation.
- This initiative provides a significant opportunity for the UfM to underscore that youth policy is a priority, ensuring that the Ministerial Council of Youth brings together ministers of the member states to lead on youth matters. The aim of this Council is to offer a dedicated platform where these ministers can better coordinate their efforts and align their work withthe UfM’s broader agenda. By fostering collaboration among youth ministers across the Euro-Mediterranean region, the Council will enhance consistency in youth policies and drive a more unified approach. Additionally, the creation of this Council will promote the development of integrated policies across member states, ensuring alignment with common goals. This will help standardize efforts and facilitate the sharing of successful strategies, creating a cohesive framework that benefits youth across the entire region. Now more than ever, we need to equip young people with the platforms to lead and shape the solutions for tomorrow.
Key Procedures for the Establishment of the Ministerial Council of Youth:
- Drafting a formal Proposal that outlines the objectives, structure, mandate, and expected outcomes of the Ministerial Council of Youth. This proposal should align withthe UfM member states’ priorities and principles.
- Present the proposal to the UfM Secretariat, which is crucial to ensure the proposal is added to the agenda of the UfM’s decision-making bodies.
- Agenda Setting: The proposal must be submitted for review during a UfM Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), where representatives from all UfM member states participate.
- Institutional Integration and Formal Ratification: The Ministerial Council of Youth must be integrated into the existing UfM framework while ensuring formal ratification by UfM member states where required, and securing agreement on funding and operational resources within UfM’s budgetary processes.
- In light of the pressing socio-economic and environmental issues affecting the region, coordination among youth ministers of UfM is not just a matter of inclusion but a critical factor for building resilience and ensuring sustainable development.
- By consolidating youth leadership at the ministerial level and facilitating their collaboration within a unified body, the Ministerial Council of Youth will strengthen the foundation for amore stable, prosperous, and inclusive Euro-Mediterranean future. This coordinated approach will promote innovation, enhance social cohesion, and contribute to long-term economic growth across the region.
- We urge the UfM to respond positively to this recommendation. By supporting the establishment of the Ministerial of Youth, the UfM can demonstrate its commitment to engaging young people inthe policymaking process and ensuring their meaningful participation in shaping a prosperous, peaceful and integrated Euro-Mediterranean region.
project includes:
Project Status
Completed
Countries covered
4
Start date
31-05-2025
End date
30-05-2027
Programme
Erasmus+
Key Action
Learning Mobility of Individuals
Action Type
Mobility of young people