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.
Tethered Bottle Caps: A Path to Greener, Cleaner Future
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EU Contribution
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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
MEDIA
Establishing a Euro-Mediterranean University in Egypt: Towards an Educational Hub for Regional Integration
- The Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development (MYF) urges Egyptian authorities, including the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Industry, to implement tethered bottle caps on beverage containers, promoting better recycling and reducing plastic waste. Unlike traditional twist-off caps, which contribute to environmental pollution and pose health risks through microplastics, tethered caps remain attached, facilitating easier recycling and reducing litter.
- The EU Directive 2019/904 mandates that beverage containers must feature tethered caps, aligning with global efforts to mitigate plastic pollution. Egypt’s Waste Management Law No. 202 of 2020 encourages Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), making manufacturers accountable for their products’ lifecycles, including the costs associated with tethered caps and recycling systems.
- Coca-Cola has already begun adopting tethered caps in Ireland as part of their sustainability initiatives. Additionally, this move benefits individuals with disabilities by improving accessibility and reducing obstacles associated with traditional caps. A pilot project in major Egyptian cities could help assess the feasibility of tethered caps, with strategies for nationwide implementation, compliance monitoring, and financial incentives for manufacturers transitioning to this design. The initiative supports broader environmental goals, including those outlined in the Barcelona Convention and Mediterranean Action Plan, aiming for sustainable consumption and reduced marine litter.
- The Egyptian Ministry of Environment, with support from the Ministry of Finance, may introduce a GREEN$ smart card system inspired by Hong Kong’s recycling incentives to encourage recycling and sustainability. Participants can earn points by submitting recyclables at designated locations, which can be exchanged for rewards. Additionally, a system could be established for households to track recycling activities, with points awarded for plastic waste collection exchanged for rewards, overseen by the Ministry of Local Development. The program draws inspiration from effective recycling schemes in the UK and aims to address Egypt’s significant plastic waste issue, which reached 2.5 million tons in 2022/2023. Urgent action is needed to integrate sustainable practices into society to conserve resources and protect biodiversity.
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