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.

MYF Current Excutive Team

Abdelhalim Mohamed, from Sharkia Governorate in Egypt, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer and Information Systems from Al-Shorouk Academy and is currently a Master’s researcher in Information Systems at Sadat City University.

With over 7 years of diverse experience in volunteering, customer service, sales, and facilities management, Abdelhalim has demonstrated significant expertise in practical and managerial roles. He has dedicated more than 9,000 hours to volunteering with civil society organizations, community institutions, and governmental bodies in Egypt. His efforts are focused on empowering youth through volunteerism and capacity development, positively impacting over 2,000 individuals across various civil society organizations and youth institutions. He has also participated in numerous cultural exchange programs in Lebanon, Cyprus, Spain, and Slovenia, and has extensive experience with EU cultural exchange programs and Erasmus+ initiatives.

In addition to his volunteer work, Abdelhalim has held key leadership positions, including serving as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development from 2018 to 2022. He also contributed as a Board Member during 2022-2023, where he played a pivotal role in strategic planning and organizational development. Fayed is a dedicated changemaker, political researcher, and visual artist with a diverse skill set and people-oriented approach to life. She thrives in collaborative environments, leveraging strong partnerships, marketing, and organizational expertise to lead and coordinate impactful projects in the fields of development, arts, and culture, and their intersection. Her passion for learning fuels an insatiable curiosity about the world’s challenges, particularly in culture, gender equality, climate change, youth, and sustainability.”Walaa Farid is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment, cultural exchange, and international cooperation. As Youth Mobility Manager at the Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development (MYF), and European Solidarity Corps Mentor, Walaa plays a pivotal role in strengthening Egyptian-EuroMed partnerships, leveraging her expertise to foster collaboration, exchange, and mutual understanding across borders.
Walaa has participated in Erasmus+ training courses. She is an EU Jeel Connector and holds a TOT on peace and security from CCCPA. Her work focuses on Partnerships, cultural exchange and non-formal education across the Euro-Mediterranean region. description=”Alaa Aroog is a social activist from Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce with a specialization in Business Administration from Arish University, in 2023. Currently, she works as a Project Coordinator at the Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development (MYF).

Over the past three years, she has participated in a series of capacity building programs in the fields of sustainable development and climate change, and had the opportunity to work in several programs at the Mediterranean Youth Foundation, one of which is the Mediterranean Women Ship Program and the Mediterranean Youth Academy.

She also had an exceptional opportunity to participate in a cultural exchange program in Cyprus, becoming the first girl from her tribe to travel abroad, despite the social restrictions imposed on girls in her community. Additionally, she was granted the opportunity to travel to Sweden for a month to participate in a Mobility for Creativity program.” image_source=”media_library” css_animation=”kd-animated fadeIn” elem_animation_delay=”” image=”10890″][tek_team design_style=”classic” title=”Israa diaa” description=”Born in the Menoufia Governorate, Israa Diaa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce with a specialization in Business Administration from Menoufia University, graduating in 2022. She initially worked at Bank of Cairo, gaining two years of experience in marketing, sales, and social media. She is currently employed at the Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development.
Israa is deeply engaged in women’s issues and has launched the “ FOR HER“ initiative to empower girls from rural areas. Additionally, she founded the MEET MOUNFYA’S WOMEN initiative, which highlights young female role models.
She is also a representative and ambassador for the Womenpreneur Initiative, which aims to provide a platform for young women to showcase their skills and innovations in the business world. The initiative provides training and mentorship to enhance their effective participation in the economy and empower them to achieve professional and entrepreneurial success by supporting them with the necessary skills and knowledge.
At the Mediterranean Youth Foundation, she has been involved in several programs, including the Mediterranean Youth Academy and the Dialogue in Human Fraternity Document. Israa has participated in cultural exchange programs, including one in Bulgaria focused on climate change, sponsored by the National Youth Agency.
She has also taken part in various international conferences in Egypt, such as the Investment for Africa Conference (COMESA) 2019 under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the Arab Week for Sustainable Development 2019, and the COP 27 Climate Conference in Sharm El Sheikh.
Israa combines her expertise in entrepreneurship, marketing, and project coordination with a strong focus on global issues, particularly gender equality, climate change, and sustainability. She has also dedicated over two years to volunteering with civil society organizations.” image_source=”media_library” css_animation=”kd-animated fadeIn” elem_animation_delay=”” image=”10891″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][tek_team design_style=”classic” title=”Mohamed Adel” description=”Mohamed Adel Abdel Hadi, born in Qalyubia Governorate, holds a Bachelor of Law from Benha University, and is a graduate of the Value Program from the National Training Academy.

He works as a graphic designer with more than six years of experience in the field of advertising and publications, where he has cooperated with international and local companies and institutions such as Qalyubia Governorate, the Mediterranean Youth Foundation, the International Labor Organization, the Arab Academy for Science and Technology, the Decent Life Foundation, in addition to companies such as Pixagrama for Marketing, Energy for Media Production, and the Egyptian Media Company.

Mohamed has participated in many volunteer, service, and youth activities for seven years, including field follow-up in Qalyubia Governorate and other governorates.

He also received training in the fields of sustainable development, climate change, fourth-generation warfare, youth leadership qualification, high-level local development, and others.

He contributed to programs such as the Mediterranean Youth Academy, the Mediterranean Initiative for Climate, and Dialogue on Human Fraternity Document. He is passionate about creative and media fields, and is interested in improving the level of services provided through service work, field follow-up, and leadership qualification.”Born in Dakahlia Governorate, he holds a Bachelor of Shariah and Law, Al-Azhar University and a Masters degree in public law and International Relations. Currently, Thabet is a PHD researcher in international law and holds the position of Director of the Collection Department at Itqan Law Firm, LegalConsultations and Arbitration, and he is the Coordinator of Know Al-Azhar Observatory Initiative.
He is keen and interested in Educational Development, as he was elected as Member of the Jury to Choose Japanese School Teachers, he also represented Egypt in the 6th Annual Knowledge Summit at Dubai 2019. Moreover, he is interested in African Union Agenda 2063 as he participated in the Investment Conference for Africa (COMESA) 2019 and he was elected to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Simulation Model. He was also an Organizing Member at Confederation of African Football for Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2019. Thabet also took part in numerous conferences in Egypt including but not limited to: World Youth Forum 2018, Scientific Research Conference 2019 and ASD Week – Arab Sustainable Development Week 2019 .Recently, Thabet was chosen to be one of the organizers of the Climate Convention Conference of the Parties (COP27). description=”Content Committee Head at the Mediterranean Youth Foundation, with extensive experience in content writing, editing, and news reporting. Abdelnasser began his career as an article writer and news editor at prominent sites like “Sky News“ and “Al-Syaq,“ where he successfully prepared and edited news reports covering a wide range of topics of interest to a broad audience.

In addition, he worked as a commissioner for “Etisalat,“ where he was responsible for coordinating official documents and drafting contracts and agreements with government agencies. He also worked as an editor and data entry specialist for a website of a company that sells products online.
Abdelnasser is distinguished by his advanced language skills, proficiency in content editing, and expertise in public speaking and delivering professional presentations. He is also actively involved in volunteer work, contributing to community services and charitable activities.Graduate of the Faculty of Arts, Department of Media, with a preliminary Master’s degree in “Radio and Television, Journalism, Public Relations.“ She holds an MBA scholarship in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing and Sales from the American University in Cairo and the Ayres Institute for Studies and Research in London.

Facilitator and Team Leader in the “Let’s Cross a Bridge“ program for integrating youth from border governorates – Al-KORRA Foundation for Sustainable Development.

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Trainer on the global BYB program, supported by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and Microsoft.

Certified Trainer in Professional Development and Self-Improvement – Ministry of Youth and Sports and Al-KORRA Foundation for Sustainable Development.
Certified Trainer and Sustainable Development Ambassador for the UN Goals within the “Be an Ambassador“ program – Ministry of Planning and Economic Development.

Member of the Board of Directors of Dandit Youth Center, Ministry of Youth and Sports (2021:2023).

Recipient of the “Misr El Kheir“ Fellowship for Sustainable Local Development Practitioners.

Volunteer with several charitable and developmental organizations.