Al-Arish Castle

M€
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Project Budget

0 %

EU Contribution

0

Countries

0

Partners

Why the project matters

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.

What it aims to achieve
  1.  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.
  2. 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
  1. 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.
  2.  Strengthened young people’s civic actions.
  3. Fostered a transnational participatory dynamic.
 
What the project delivers
  1. Co-design of a pedagogical framework for the MedYCI training program developed by young Mediterranean participants and experts across five regions.
  2. Creation of a multidisciplinary team of 30 trainers.
  3. 5 MedYCI training sessions implemented across 5 countries, directly engaging over 200 youngsters.
  4. Establishment of five MedYCI studios which will be fully operational to enhance creative young participants skills in each region.
  5. Strategic recommendations for the Mediterranean Youth Council ensuring they are informed by diverse youth perspectives across the Mediterranean.
  6.  5 showcases of 50 innovative ideas for a better future of the Mediterranean.
  7. 25 simultaneous local creative engaged actions executed by youth, across the Mediterranean.
  8. •10 transnational webtv show (Medtalk) created by MedYCI trained Mediterranean youth.

EVENTS

EVENTS

MEDIA

Statement by the Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development: Revitalizing Al-Arish Castle for Youth Empowerment and Heritage Conservation

  • The Mediterranean Youth Foundation (MYF) urges the Egyptian government to revitalize Al-Arish Castle, an important cultural heritage site in North Sinai, to enhance youth engagement, community development, and sustainable tourism. Egypt is renowned for its iconic archaeological sites, yet many culturally significant locations remain underfunded and overlooked, particularly in remote areas. North Sinai faces unique challenges that hinder effective heritage preservation; however, sites like Al-Arish Castle can be pivotal in enriching Egypt’s cultural narrative and empowering local communities. 

 

  • The Castle, established by the Ottoman Empire in 1560 AD, needs restoration despite its rich history. MYF’s Al-Arish Castle Revitalization Project aims to transform the site into a cultural hub, engaging local youth in preservation efforts while promoting personal growth and resilience. By offering workshops and public sessions, the project connects cultural preservation with youth empowerment. 

 

  • Proposals from MYF include: allocating a dedicated budget for restoration, encouraging youth participation in conservation, developing cultural tourism events to attract visitors, conducting necessary restoration work to ensure the castle’s historical integrity, and promoting green tourism initiatives to enhance community involvement and capacity-building in heritage management. 

 

  • MYF emphasizes the urgent need for action by the Egyptian authorities to turn Al-Arish Castle into a symbol of youth empowerment and sustainable cultural tourism in Sinai. The organization encourages public awareness of the castle’s significance through social media engagement and community advocacy. 

The Mediterranean Youth Foundation – MYF strongly urges the Egyptian governmentand relevant stakeholders to prioritize the revitalization of Al-Arish Castle, a crucial cultural heritage site in North Sinai, to foster youth engagement, community development, and sustainable tourism in the region. 

Background and Current Challenges 

  • Egypt is globally celebrated for its iconic archaeological landmarks, such as the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the temples of Luxor and Karnak. These sites draw millions of visitors each year and are central to the country’s cultural identity andeconomy. However, beyond these world-famous monuments lies a vast and diverse heritage landscape that remains largely overlooked. Sites like the ancient temples of Abydos, the capital ruins of Tanis, the religious city of Tell el-Amarna, and many regional fortresses, cemeteries, and sacred spaces across Sinai, the Nile Delta, and Upper Egypt hold deep historical significance—but lack the visibility, preservation efforts, and funding they deserve. 
  • Many of these sites are located in remote or less privileged areas, where local communities face challenges in accessing the resources and support needed to enhance their protection. Limited documentation and the need for comprehensive, integrated heritage preservation policies sometimes result in a gap between national preservation strategies and the actual needs at the local level. 
  • In North Sinai Governorate, which has experienced accumulated factors and unique circumstances, including terrorism as well as security and economic challenges, these sites represent an important opportunity to enrich Egypt’s cultural narrative, diversify its tourism offerings, and empower local communities to become active partners in safeguarding their history. Reviving these sites is not only about preserving heritage, but also about opening new horizons for education, economic and social development—particularly for young people, who can play a pivotal role in preservation and protection efforts. 
  • One such example is Al-Arish Castle, a historical landmark established by the Ottoman Empire in 1560 AD, which has witnessed centuries of cultural and historical significance. Despite its importance, the castle has been left in a state of neglect, leading to its gradual deterioration. Al-ArishCastle Revitalization Project, led by the MYF, is an effort to begin reversing this trend , and seeks to transform this landmark into a vibrant hub of cultural and socialactivity through arts and experiential learning, the project engages local youth and community members in preserving their heritage while fostering personal growth, resilience, and social cohesion. Through workshops,  training, public sessions, and advocacy efforts, the initiative links cultural preservation with youth empowerment and sustainable development in North Sinai. 

The Significance of Al-Arish Castle in Youth Engagement andCommunity Revitalization 

  • Al-Arish Castle is the only remaining historical monument in Al-Arish, registered by Ministerial Resolution 282 in 1997. Built during the era of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, the castle originally contained a well, a garden, and soldiers’ housing. It also witnessed key historical events, such as the Treaty of Al-Arish in 1800 AD between the Ottoman Turks and the French campaign. Despite its importance, excavation and restoration work remain incomplete. For the people of Al-Arish, the castle is a vital link to their past and a source of communal pride and identity. The castle can also serve as a hub for cultural activities, social events, and educational programs, empowering local youth and attracting visitors from across the region. 
  • A compelling example of community-driven heritage revival is the 2018 “Tell the World” campaign, launched on World Heritage Day as part of the Explore Egypt Project. The initiative spotlighted overlooked cultural sites—such as the Tomb of Sheikh Ezz Ibn Abdel Salam—through storytelling, documentaries, and cultural walks. It demonstrated how youth engagement and media can reignite public interest and local pride in forgotten heritage spaces.  
  • Similarly, Al-Arish Castle Revitalization Project presents an opportunity not only to protect a significant cultural heritage site, but also to empower youth and women through creative expression, strengthen local identity, and promote community development. 

 

MYF Proposal: A Youth-Led Initiative for the Revitalization of Al-Arish Castle 

MYF calls on the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities, the Ministry of Culture, the local government of Al-Arish, to push their efforts further through the following initiatives: 

  1. Allocate a dedicated government budget for Al-Arish Castle: Include Al-Arish Castle within the national budget allocations for cultural heritage preservation, ensuring a fixed annual financial provision to support restoration, maintenance, and operational needs, and to sustain the site as a cultural and historical landmark. 
  2. Youth Participation in Heritage Conservation: The local government of Al-Arish to establish programs where local youth, including those from schools and universities, can engage in hands-on conservation work, promoting eco-friendly practices in the preservation of the castle and educational workshops about the castle’s history and cultural importance. 
  3. Cultural Tourism Development: Develop Al-Arish Castle into a hub for cultural tourism by organizing events such as conferences, exhibitions, and concerts that highlight the region’s history and attract both local and international audiences. 
  4. Restoration Efforts: The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities and the Ministry of Culture to allocate necessary resources and technical expertise to conduct urgent restoration and structural stabilization of Al-Arish Castle. All restoration work must adhere to international conservation standards, ensuring the long-term preservation of the site while improving accessibility to the public. 
  5. Sustainable Funding for Heritage Projects: The Local government of Al-Arish to encourage the allocation of a percentage of tourism revenue from the castle and surrounding areas to fund ongoing heritage conservation efforts, ensuring the castle’s preservation for future generations. 
  6. Green Tourism Program: Establish a comprehensive sustainable tourism program in Al-Arish, led by the Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities in partnership with local authorities and community stakeholders. This program should promote eco-tourism, foster community engagement, and provide capacity-building opportunities for youth in heritage management and hospitality sectors. 

The Mediterranean Youth Foundation calls on the Egyptian government, local authorities to take immediate action to preserve Al-Arish Castle. Together, we can ensure that this historical site becomes a symbol of youth empowerment, community development, and sustainable cultural tourism in Sinai. 

How You can take action 

  1. Spread the word: Share this statement with your network to raise awareness about the importance of preserving cultural heritage. 
  2. Engage on social media: Post about the significance of Al-Arish Castle and its role in local history using #SaveAlArishCastle #YouthForHeritage #CulturalPreservation. 

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