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.
The Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development – MYF Calls for an End to Unpaid Internships and Volunteer Work in Egypt
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Why the project matters
What it aims to achieve
- 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.
Expected change
- 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.
What the project delivers
- 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
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The Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development - MYF Calls for an End to Unpaid Internships and Volunteer Work in Egypt
The Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development (MYF) advocates for the elimination of unpaid internships and volunteer work in Egypt, emphasizing the need for improved regulations and enforcement. The foundation welcomes the recognition of volunteer contributions in the civil work law (Law No. 149 of 2019) and the stipulation for expense reimbursement but is concerned about the lack of mechanisms ensuring that these regulations are upheld. Many
- The Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development – MYF welcomes the inclusion of a section dedicated to volunteer work in the executive regulations of the law on regulating the exercise of civil work, promulgated by law no. 149 of the year 2019. We see this as a positive step towards recognizing the valuable contributions volunteers make. Additionally, the emphasis on reimbursing volunteers for any expenses incurred during their service is a welcome improvement. However, we remain concerned about the lack of effective enforcement mechanisms within the current framework. Many volunteers continue to shoulder the financial burden of their volunteer work, despite legal protections.
- Similarly, the existing internship section of the labor law no. 12 of the year 2003, mandates progressive financial compensation throughout the training period, culminating in interns receiving the minimum wage for their field by the final stage. While this principle is commendable, we emphasize the need for robust monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure this legal requirement is met.
- Unpaid internshipsand volunteer opportunities are not only nsustainable for young people, but they also create a system of exploitation under the guise of volunteering or training. These programs often rely on the free labor of young individuals seeking experience, thus hindering their ability to support themselves financially and potentially damaging their mental health. This disproportionately affects those from low-income backgrounds, further hindering social mobility.
- We’re committed to fair treatment of young people, not just in theory, but also in practice. This commitment is exemplified by our MYF Paid Internship Program, which offers young people a valuable opportunity to gain practical experience and contribute to meaningful work, all while receiving compensation for any incurred costs, ensuring that interns can focus on gaining valuable skills and experiences without facing financial hardship.
We call for the following actions:
- The relevant authorities should issue a decision to prevent and prohibit unpaid training and volunteer opportunities.
- Relevant authorities should guarantee reimbursement of expenses incurred by interns and volunteers for transportation, food, calls, internet access, and necessary resources, followed by appropriate compensation after a certain point.
- Development of enforcement mechanisms: Establish clear procedures for reporting violations and holding organizations accountable for non-compliance to ensure effective implementation of mandatory intern compensation and volunteer compensation.
- Create a mechanism that validates volunteer experiences and skills gained during internships and volunteering opportunities. This would incentivize organizations to offer meaningful and compensated opportunities while enhancing the employability of young people, and there are successful international examples such as the EU’s Youthpass.
- We encourage individuals and organizations to repost and share our post on social media using the hashtag #EndUnpaidInternshipsEgypt. By raising awareness and creating a collective voice, we can pressure authorities to take action and create a more equitable system for young people.
By taking these steps, we can create asystem that fosters genuine development and empowers young Egyptians to contribute meaningfully to society, free from exploitation.
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