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.
Youth Mobility Programs to help youth move across borders (Mediterranean Youth Volunteers)
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
Youth Mobility Program Objectives:
- To provide fully funded international volunteering opportunities for young people, with a particular focus on youth who have less access to mobility, education, and professional development opportunities.
- To enhance participants’ personal, social, and professional competencies through long-term volunteering experiences (1–12 months) in the European Union and neighboring countries.
- To promote European values such as pluralism, tolerance, solidarity, intercultural dialogue, and acceptance of diversity among young people from different cultural backgrounds.
- To strengthen youth leadership, civic engagement, and active participation in community and youth work initiatives at both local and international levels.
- To increase young people’s employability and readiness for the labor market by developing transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and responsibility.
- To foster international cooperation and partnerships between youth organizations, local communities, and institutions across Europe and neighboring regions.
Youth Mobility program Results:
- Increased access to international volunteering and mobility opportunities for young people with fewer opportunities.
- Improved personal development of participants, including enhanced self-confidence, independence, adaptability, and intercultural competence.
- Strengthened leadership and professional skills among volunteers, contributing to their future educational and career pathways.
- Greater awareness and understanding of European values, cultural diversity, and social inclusion among participants and host communities.
- Positive social impact within host organizations and local communities through the implementation of youth-focused, community-based activities.
- Long-term benefits for sending and hosting organizations through stronger international networks, exchange of best practices, and sustainable cooperation.
- Participants return to their home communities better equipped to act as active citizens, youth leaders, and multipliers of positive social change.
Project card
English (PDF)
Objectives
The initiative consists of a comprehensive series of cultural exchange programs implemented across Mediterranean countries. It begins in the Southern Mediterranean region, starting with Egypt, followed by Morocco, Tunisia, and Lebanon, and gradually expands to other countries within the region. The primary objective of these programs is to activate, strengthen, and ensure the long-term sustainability of an interactive regional platform known as the Mediterranean on Track Network.
Within this network, a Head and a Deputy are appointed in each participating country to establish and lead a dedicated national working team operating under the network framework. These national teams are responsible for designing and implementing community-based initiatives that directly contribute to achieving the network’s strategic goals. Through this decentralized yet coordinated structure, the network promotes effective youth engagement and fosters collaboration at both the local and regional levels.
The Mediterranean Track Network plays a key role in identifying, developing, and showcasing emerging Mediterranean youth leaders who actively contribute to youth work across the region. It also serves as a vital bridge for dialogue and cooperation, facilitating sustainable communication channels between Arab and Mediterranean youth communities. Following the successful implementation of the program in Arab Mediterranean countries, the initiative expands its focus to include Mediterranean European countries such as Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Cyprus, and others, thereby reinforcing cross-regional cooperation and strengthening a unified Mediterranean youth network.
project includes:
Project Status
Ongoing
Countries covered
5
Start date
01-01-2025
End date
31-01-2026
Programme
Erasmus+
Key Action
Learning Mobility of Individuals
Action Type
Mobility of youth workers