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From Hurghada: The Mediterranean Youth Foundation Addresses Climate Change! The Mediterranean Youth Foundation, in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports, is preparing to launch the second edition of our regional project, the Mediterranean Initiative for Climate, from December 19 to 23, 2024. The importance of the initiative stems from its response to the growing environmental challenges in the Mediterranean region, which accommodate more than 510 million people, and where temperatures are rising 20% faster than the global average, according to United Nations reports. This initiative aims to build capacities, develop environmental policies, and generate knowledge to raise awareness about climate change. It serves as a platform for interaction and cultural exchange among Mediterranean youth to innovate environmental solutions and address shared challenges. Stay tuned for event details and share your expectations with us!

“Ministry of Youth and Sports and Mediterranean Youth Foundation Continue to Address Climate Change” The Mediterranean Youth Foundation and the Ministry of Youth and Sports are continuing the activities of the second edition of the regional project “Mediterranean Initiative for Climate” from December 19 to 23, 2024. The initiative included a variety of sessions, ranging from workshops and listening sessions to research activities and presentations focusing on Gender Lens on Climate Change. These sessions were led by Dr. Yasmeen Aladdin, a gender expert and co-president of the Mediterranean Youth Foundation. The initiative also featured artistic performances by participants that addressed concepts such as loss and damage, mitigation and adaptation, and deep decarbonization, reflecting the initiative’s aim to translate climate action to the grassroots level. The importance of this initiative lies in responding to the increasing environmental challenges in the Mediterranean region, which accommodate more than 510 million people, where temperatures are rising 20% faster than the global average, according to UN Environment reports. Our journey in Hurghada for climate change has come to an end, but our efforts continue. Stay tuned for more updates!

The Mediterranean Youth Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, is organizing the second edition of the regional project, “The Mediterranean Initiative for Climate,” from December 19 to 23, 2024. This initiative aims to build the capacities of representatives of youth organizations and entities, develop environmental policies, and generate knowledge to raise awareness about climate change. It also seeks to explore the regional interaction mechanism between science and policies as recognized by the Barcelona Convention. The initiative includes diverse sessions such as workshops, hearings, research activities, and presentations on the conceptual framework and historical background of climate change, along with key related international agreements. It also featured a knowledge competition on climate and environmental terminology presented by Mr. Youssef Aroog. Additionally, the initiative hosted a session on climate diplomacy and translating climate action to the grassroots level, including mechanisms for negotiation between parties, presented by Mr. Mohamed Ageez, Climate Action Advisor at the Mediterranean Youth Foundation and Managing Partner at TIS Labs. The importance of this initiative lies in responding to the increasing environmental challenges in the Mediterranean region, which accommodate more than 510 million people, where temperatures are rising 20% faster than the global average, according to UN Environment reports. Our activities are still ongoing… Stay tuned! #Youth #peace #Youth4Mediterranean #MYF

Before the next United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference 2022 (UNFCCC, COP 27) that will take place in Egypt in November 2022, the Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development (MYF,) hosted  in cooperation with the “Oceans Network” through the Erasmus+ student and Alumni Alliance (ESAA EU,) funded by the “European Commission” with the support of the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Egyptian Ministry of Environment, brought together 55 youth aged 21-35 from the Euro-Mediterranean countries for a 3-day training covering the topic of climate change, in August 2022 in El- Alamein, Egypt.

How It Worked?

The aim of the initiative was to raise awareness about climate change and building the capabilities of youth in the field of climate change. In addition to the training, awareness raising campaigns and contests that have been organized on the same topic, engaging as many youths as possible with the priority topics of the upcoming COP27 (unemployment, The climate crisis, migration, gender inequality) and building the capacities of young men and women to face these challenges.

In a multicultural atmosphere, the Mediterranean Initiative for Climate was launched, with participation of 55 participants from different Mediterranean countries from Spain, Lebanon, Palestine, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Egypt which included about 10 workshops and panel discussions with approximately 50 training hours, and addressed a number of main topics of concern to everyone interested in the environment and climate change, namely environmental peace, challenges of the environment in the Mediterranean and mechanisms of mitigation and adaptation.

The workshops also dealt with how to write a policy paper specialized in the environment, and at the end of the program, the participants worked on writing and submitting policy papers, which will be evaluated and reviewed, to be presented to the officials.

How was social media used?

Before the workshops started, the Mediterranean Youth Foundation launched an online awareness campaign to educate the audience about the issue of climate change, the dangers of using plastic, and how they can contribute to reducing the effects of climate change by publishing a set of posters and infographics.

Also, two competitions were launched. The first was a question competition, the winners received a set of prizes, from an opportunity to participate in the workshops to financial prizes and certificates of appreciation, and the second competition was an article competition, where the participants worked on writing articles on the issue of climate change in Arabic and English. A team of professionals assessed them, and the essay competition winners were allowed to participate in the workshops and receive monetary prizes.

Outcomes 

We are at a critical moment in human history. We are facing a dangerous issue that needs individuals, communities, local, regional and global organizations and governments to come together to reduce the effects of climate change. In November 2022, world leaders will gather at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, an important event in our journey to tackle climate change. We came out of the Mediterranean Initiative for Climate with a set of recommendations, which are as follows:

  1. The necessity of activating and accelerating climate policies worldwide and involving youth in a greater way in limiting the effects of climate change.
  2. Climate action cannot be postponed for the next decade, next year, or tomorrow. We all have to take action now.
  3. There is an urgent need to view the environment as an essential human right.
  4. Governments and local, regional, and international organizations need to strengthen the channels of communication between them, and governments should strengthen the channels of participation at the national and international levels in all stages of planning, implementation, evaluation, and monitoring of climate action policies and programs.

In the end, it can be said that this initiative was an excellent opportunity to pave the way for the Climate Summit, as it was necessary to involve a group of young people from all over the world to exchange views, experiences, and cultures, to come up with a set of policies that can be presented to governments to reduce the effects of climate change.

*A Funded Opportunity for Those Interested in Climate Action in Egypt – The Mediterranean Initiative for Climate MIC*.

Are you a climate action activist?
Do you have an idea or a recommendation in the field of climate and you need a financial or technical support?
Are you between 18 and 35 years old?
If your answers are yes, then this is your opportunity to be part of the change.

Apply now for the 4th edition of the Mediterranean Initiative for Climate (MIC) and receive free training and a chance to obtain a financial support up to 500 USD.

The project is implemented by the Mediterranean Youth Foundation (MYF) under the patronage of the Egyptian Ministry of Environment and in cooperation with Misr El-Kheir Foundation and Population Matters. The 4th edition focuses on three key pillars:

Building youth capacity, enhancing climate knowledge, and understanding international efforts and the outcomes of climate summits.
Empowering youth through field environmental initiatives and providing direct financial support.
Supporting their participation in decision-making by training them on how to prepare policy papers and provide badges to attend official climate negotiations.

Benefits of participation:

Receive free training on climate change, its historical background, and international efforts.
The possibility of obtaining micro-technical and financial support up to 500 USD to fund environmental initiatives and projects.
Participate in the preparation of policy papers with the possibility of obtaining badges to attend official climate negotiations such as COP-SB.

Note: This project is funded, and there are no fees for participation.

The final deadline for registration is December 20, 2025, at 11PM Cairo Time.

The third edition of the Mediterranean Initiative for Climate (MIC) is being launched from Ras El Bar, Egypt. In parallel with the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY Egypt 2025), the Mediterranean Youth Foundation and its partners launched the third edition of our strategic project, the “Mediterranean Initiative for Climate.” The initiative is jointly supported by the Council of Europe and the European Union and is being implemented in Egypt by the Mediterranean Youth Foundation, under the joint patronage of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Environment. The events kicked off with ice-breaking sessions and energizing activities, followed by interactive workshops addressing key climate change questions: What is it? When did it start? How was the response of the international community? What is the role of cultural dialogue in fostering Euro-Mediterranean cooperation? This initiative comes as part of the foundation’s plan to develop the skills and build the capacities of civil society actors, aiming for sustainable development driven by youth leadership. Aroog also facilitated an analytical session that explored the evolution of international frameworks to combat climate change , starting from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), followed by the Kyoto Protocol, and then the Paris Agreement, all the way up to the long-term European Green Deal, which aims to make the EU the first climate-neutral continent by achieving net-zero emissions by 2050! A rich sequence that reflects how the international community’s response to the climate issue has evolved, and highlights the importance of continued cross-border cooperation for a more sustainable future. Stay tuned for upcoming events and reports.

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MYF Board of Trustees: (2024-2026)

Co-Founder and Co-President of the Board of Trustees” description=”Youssef Aroog, a King Hamad SDGs Awardee, IIA-UNAOC/BMW Awardee, and native of the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, is a Mediterranean Civil Activist and Jean Monnet Scholar in Advanced European & International Studies.

Seamlessly blending expertise in project management, strategic partnerships, and public policy, Youssef drives impactful change. As co-founder of the Med Baltic Organization in Estonia and co-president of the Mediterranean Youth Foundation in Egypt, he has been instrumental in empowering youth and building bridges between diverse cultures.

His hands-on approach in peacebuilding, climate change, and fundraising has led him to spearhead transformative initiatives, from grassroots projects to high-level international collaborations. With a passion for fostering dialogue and advancing gender equality, Youssef is a trusted advocate for policies that promote equality, solidarity, and peace across borders.A Member of Governance and Internal Audit at the Office of the Deputy Minister of Health for Governance, Monitoring, Follow-up, and Institutional Development, he has been deeply engaged in youth and volunteer activities over the past 10 years, dedicating more than 6 months to volunteering with the Center for European Initiatives in Bulgaria, where he refined his skills and understanding of global issues. As the former President of the Benha University Students Union, he led impactful initiatives and represented Egyptian nursing students at international events like the Nursing Congress Meeting in Ireland. He studied Health Sector Governance and Innovation at the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, USA, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Health. description=”She was born in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt and holds an industrial technician diploma. She works as a financial assistant at the Egyptian Postal Authority. She has extensive experience of more than twenty years in financial and administrative affairs. In addition to her main work, Samia is concerned with vital social issues, such as circumcision and underage marriage, and works hard to contribute to solving them as one of the victims of these negative social practices. She strives to raise awareness of the importance of these issues and promote community dialogue around them. She joined the Board of Trustees in March 2024. position=”Member of the Board of Trustees” description=”Dr. Alaa Motawea is a distinguished healthcare provider and youth development advocate. As a pharmacist, he plays a pivotal role in enhancing patient well-being through his expertise in healthcare.
Beyond his contributions in healthcare, Alaa makes a significant impact in the realm of cultural exchange and youth development. He serves as the Cultural Exchange and International Partnerships Manager at the Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development. In this capacity, he spearheads initiatives that promote cultural understanding and cooperation among young people across the Mediterranean region.
Alaa’s commitment to dialogue and global issues is evident through his role as a Dialogue Facilitator at Soliya Foundation and United Nations-Habitat. He facilitates discussions on critical global topics such as climate change and gender equality.
Over the past three years, Alaa has broadened his expertise through training courses within the Erasmus+ program, participating in countries like Serbia, Slovenia, and Turkey. Additionally, he mentors volunteers as part of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), guiding them toward impactful engagements and emphasizing the importance of solidarity.description=”Yasmeen was born in Giza Governorate, Egypt. She is a scholar and a feminist and political activist. She obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the Department of Political Science from the Faculty of Economics and Political Science at Cairo University with an excellent grade. She currently works as an assistant lecturer at the same college, and is currently enrolled in the Master’s program in Women’s and Gender Studies with a scholarship from Erasmus Mundus, making her the only Egyptian woman to receive this scholarship for the years 2023-2025. She participated in many organizations, contributed to international projects, and conducted a number of research and reports on women’s rights and gender equality in the Middle East and North Africa, as a gender consultant, in addition to managing dozens of projects and workshops on gender, and volunteered for more than 4,000 hours in the field of civil education and women’s issues. title=”Mohamed Ibrahim” position=”Treasurer on the Board of Trustees” description=”Mohamed Ibrahim Taha was born in Cairo and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Specific Education with a specialization in Educational Technology and Special Education from Ain Shams University. He works as a Senior Computer and Systems Specialist at Ain Shams University. In 2020, Mohamed was accepted into the Mediterranean Youth Foundation (MYF). He has participated in several notable initiatives, including the Mediterranean Youth Academy in Cairo and Alexandria, the Mediterranean Initiative for Climate in El-Alamein, and the Dialogue on the Human Fraternity Document, the “No One Behind“ project, and the International Program for Volunteering Egypt Project. These activities were conducted in cooperation with and under the auspices of the Egyptian Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), and Erasmus.

Mohamed has also engaged in cultural exchange programs in Morocco and Spain through MYF. His journey with MYF began as a volunteer, then he advanced to Executive Director, and today, he serves as the Treasurer on the Board of Trustees description=”Nada Nabil, born in Cairo, is an experienced translator and interpreter with over 10 years of experience. She holds a BA in English Language and Translation from Faculty of Al- Alsun, Ain Shams University and 3 advanced diplomas in specialized translation and interpretation from the American University in Cairo. Currently, she manages the Mediterranean Youth Center for Translation and works as a community and medical interpreter for a US-based company.

Driven by a passion for Humanitarian Assistance and cross-cultural collaboration, Nada has dedicated over 10,000 hours to volunteering with civil society organizations and she works as a focal point for EU-funded projects aimed at promoting sustainability in the Mediterranean. Along with her studies in diplomatic affairs and international cooperation, she is also a certified trainer for sustainable development through the “Be an Ambassador“ initiative by the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development. Nada aspires to be a leading young female voice for global positive change, and she actively participates in initiatives focused on women, peace, and achieving the United Nations’ SDGs.”