Background 

• Currently, Egypt offers student discounts at museums and heritage sites, but young adults who are not enrolled in academic institutions face barriers due to higher fees. For example, the Egyptian Museum charges 550 EGP for international visitors and 30 EGP for Egyptians, with students paying only 10 EGP. 
• This policy excludes many young people, including those who could not attend school for social or economical reasons, those not currently studying, or those lacking formal education. In 2024, youth unemployment (ages 15-29), constituted 64.6% of the total unemployed population, underlining the financial difficulties many young people face during the early stages of their careers. Additionally, 9% of Egyptian youth (ages 15-29) are illiterate, with higher illiteracy rates among females (13% vs 2% for males). Furthermore, about 17% have less than intermediate education, and only 22% attended a university degree or higher. 
• Many young people express their frustration about these barriers. A young person from MYF’s community shared: “I am 28, but I’ve never seen the pyramids because I simply cannot afford the ticket price.” 

Alignment with Egyptian government policies 

1. MYF proposed initiative aligns closely with the Egyptian government’s strategic focus on youth empowerment and cultural engagement, as outlined in its national development  
2. frameworks. Central to this is the Egypt Vision 2030, which prioritizes youth empowerment, cultural inclusion, and human development. 

Recent government initiatives support youth engagement, such as the Global South Youth Bureau, promoting youth diplomacy or the Shabab balad platform, launched in 2022, which aims to connect young people with education, training, and employment opportunities, with a goal of training 1 million youth in its first phase. 

On May 6, 2025, the Ministry of Culture launched the “Welcome Students” initiative to facilitate access for university, institute, and school students to museums, theaters, and creativity centers affiliated with the Ministry, offering a 50% discount through a unified student card. 
While this step is significant, there are two main observations: 

• Card cost: The issuance fee (200 EGP) may pose a burden on some students, which contradicts the goal of reducing costs. 

• Possibility of waiving the card requirement: The discount could be applied directly upon presenting a student ID or national ID, as is already practiced in some museums, rather than requiring students to obtain an additional card. 
• Linking this initiative to the Mediterranean Youth Foundation’s proposal to extend discounts to all youth up to the age of 29, regardless of educational status, would make it more inclusive and equitable, and align it with Egypt’s Vision 2030 for youth empowerment and enhanced cultural participation. 
• MYF calls on the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to support the MY HERITAGE, MY RIGHT, which strengthens young Egyptians’ sense of belonging by integrating them into the country’s cultural landscape, making heritage more accessible as a tool for inclusion, identity, and social engagement. 

Possible Policy Measures 

To ensure fair access, MYF urges Egyptian authorities and cultural institutions to implement: 

• Egyptian Youth Discount Initiative: Aligning with international standards, such as the European Youth Card which is used across 36 countries in Europe, this program would grant reduced entry fees to youth up to 29 years old at cultural sites and museums. Instead of a separate card, youth would simply present their national ID. Refugees under 29 would receive free access by showing their registration card.  

• Free Museum Day: Following successful models implemented in many European countries, free entry days would be introduced on a monthly or periodic basis. Special free museum days could be held on key dates such as International Youth Day (August 12), International Women’s Day (March 8), International NGO Day (February 27),  and World Refugee Day (June 20).