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.
Local Conference of Youth – LCOY
Project Budget
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
For the first time under the slogan “This Time is Different,” the Mediterranean Youth Foundation (MYF), in partnership with several civil society organizations and the private sector, received the official accreditation of YOUNGO (The Official Children and Youth Constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – UNFCCC) to organize the Local Conference of Youth on Climate Change – LCOY Egypt 2025. This conference represents the official voice of Egyptian youth in the global movement towards COP30 in Brazil.
LCOY Egypt 2025
Vision and Goals:
LCOY Egypt 2025 aims to empower Egyptian youth and foster effective climate action at the governorate level by:
1. Empowering local communities to adapt to climate change impacts.
2. Raising awareness and environmental education among youth.
3. Accelerating the transformation towards sustainable infrastructure.
4. Preparing a participatory policy paper that reflects the priorities of Egyptian youth, and it will be officially submitted to COP30.
5. Involving all segments of society, including refugees and migrants, in a climate dialogue.
Key Events and Activities:
The events of the conference varied to include a broad collection of participatory activities and constructive sessions:
The Opening Event at Bibliotheca Alexandrina: The conference embarked at Bibliotheca Alexandrina, which hosted a full day featuring networking sessions, a presentation of the conference’s action plan, and a workshop on “Decoding Climate Change” and “Climate Diplomacy,” along with competitions and prizes.
Dialogue Session with the Egyptian Government: For the first time, the conference held two focused sessions in the New Administrative Capital of Egypt, with the presence of representatives of more than 15 ministries (such as Ministries of Environment, Electricity, Agriculture, Water Resources, and others). Attendees discussed the climate challenges of Egypt, adaptation projects, and the role of youth in creating policies.
Climate Experts Sessions: Extended sessions were held with a group of climate experts and specialists in sustainability and climate action to review and evaluate national efforts and set priorities for future action.
Governorate Tours: The conference expanded to include holding events in 11 Egyptian governorates, starting from Alexandria, to ensure broad and representing participation from all regions of the country.
Interactive Activities: The events included competitions such as “Competition for All”, and an exhibition area featuring more than 15 participating entities, providing valuable space for discussion and experience exchange.
LCOY Egypt 2025 is more than just an event; it represents a truly participatory pathway towards unifying the voice of Egyptian youth and ensuring it reaches the local and international decision makers. Through this ambitious initiative, MYF and its partners prove that the Egyptian youth are not just observers, but rather active partners that are capable of leading positive change, placing Egypt on the map of global climate action in preparation for upcoming global events.
The conference was held as part of a strategic partnership with
Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Sustainable Development Studies, Youth Capacity Building, and African Relations Support Program)
Information and Decision Support Center of the Egyptian Cabinet (IDSC).
Civil society organization and the Private Sector
International networks such as OCEANS Network
LCOY Egypt 2026
1. About LCOY Egypt 2026
Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development – MYF, is pleased to announce its official YOUNGO endorsement to organize and host the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) 2026 in Egypt, leading up to COP31, in partnership with Daughter of the Mediterranean, Tawasol Misr Center for Studies, White Sea Initiative, and ESCAPE – Egyptian Society for Clinical Audit and Practice Excellence. For the second time, this edition of LCOY will be hosted and implemented under the leadership of civil society in partnership with the private sector.
The UN Climate Change Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) is an event under the banner of YOUNGO – The Official Children and Youth Constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This conference precedes and contributes to the annual UN Climate Change Conference, also known as the Conference of the Parties (COP), which will be held between 9-20 November in Antalya, Turkiye. LCOY serves as a space for capacity building to young people for their participation at COP.
2. Target Audience
1-Youth Leaders 2-Young Professionals
3-Entrepreneurs & Innovators 4-Students & Recent Graduates
5-Youth Activists & Advocates 6-Young Refugees Residing in Egypt
7-Community Members & Local Change-Makers 8- Religious Leaders & Institutions
3. Objectives
1- Developing an updated National Youth Climate Policy Position aligned with Egypt’s evolving NDCs.
2- Strengthening youth capacity in topics such as adaptation and water security.
3- Institutionalizing structured youth–policy dialogue mechanisms.
4- Expanding inclusion in rural, coastal, and border communities.
4. Tentative Thematic Topics
Delta: Agriculture – Flood Management and Drainage – Coastal Protection and Erosion Mitigation – Transport and Infrastructure Resilience
Upper Egypt: Biodiversity Conservation – Agricultural Adaptation
Border governorates: Coastal Protection and Erosion Mitigation – Water Resource Management – Renewable Energy – Public Awareness and Education
Great Cairo: Transport and Infrastructure Resilience: – Urban Resilience and Infrastructure – Air Quality Management – Green Spaces and Ecosystem Preservation – Local Stakeholder Engagement – Public Health
5. Project Duration:
April – November 2026
6. Background
UNFCCC : The UNFCCC secretariat (UN Climate Change) is the United Nations entity tasked with supporting the global response to the threat of climate change. UNFCCC stands for United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Convention has near universal membership (198 Parties) and is the parent treaty of the 2015 Paris Agreement. The main aim of the Paris Agreement is to keep the global average temperature rise this century as close as possible to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The UNFCCC is also the parent treaty of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. The ultimate objective of all three agreements under the UNFCCC is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system, in a time frame which allows ecosystems to adapt naturally and enables sustainable development.
YOUNGO: is the official children and youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). YOUNGO is a vibrant, global network of children and youth activists (up to 35 years) as well as youth NGOs, who contribute to shaping the intergovernmental climate change policies and strive to empower youth to formally bring their voices to the UNFCCC processes.
Conference of Youth (COY): COY is an international gathering of young people from around the world who are passionate about climate change and sustainability. It provides a platform for youth activists, advocates, and leaders to come together, exchange ideas, share experiences, and collaborate on climate action initiatives. COY typically takes place in the days leading up to the annual COP meeting and serves as a prelude to the official negotiations. It offers a space for youth engagement and empowerment ahead of the high-level political discussions at COP.
Local Conferences of Youth (LCOY): LCOY events are regional or local versions of COY organized by youth-led organizations, universities, NGOs, and community groups in different countries and regions. LCOYs aim to bring together young people at the grassroots level to discuss climate change issues, develop leadership skills, and mobilize action within their communities. LCOYs often focus on local or regional climate challenges, solutions, and priorities, while also connecting participants to broader global climate initiatives and movements. Like COY, LCOY events feature a range of activities and sessions tailored to the interests and needs of young people, including workshops, seminars, exhibitions, campaigns, and social events.
LCOYs serve as platforms for youth engagement and capacity-building, empowering young leaders to become advocates and changemakers in their communities and beyond.
MEDITERRANEAN YOUTH FOUNDATION-MYF:
The Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development (MYF) holds international accreditation as a Sending and Hosting Organization for volunteers from the European Solidarity Corps, with Accreditation Code OID: E10107382, (QL (016532-ESC52-FR02-1-2019.
It is also registered with the European Union (PIC Number: 902103008) and an advisory member of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, as well as registered by the Ministry of Social Solidarity – Egypt under No. 6563 for the year 2019, and its registration was transferred to become a central foundation in the Central Administration of Associations and Unions under No. 982 on April 18, 2021.
“Mediterranean Youth Foundation” is also registered in the NATO Coding System for Institutions (NCAGE) under the number SKAG3, registered in the Universal Data Numbering System with the identification number 813079013, and registered in the Official Grants Management System of the US Government (The System for Award Management) (SAM).
Additional Information:
Contact Details:
Ms. Nada Nabil
MYF Focal Point for LCOY Egypt 2026
lcoy@myfmed.org
Mr. Abdul Halim Mohamed
MYF Executive Director
Mr. Youssef Aroog
Elected Co-President of MYF
youssefaroog@myfmed.org