It is a central non-profit organization registered with the Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity under No. 6563/2018, 982/2021, and working to promote cultural and youth cooperation in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development – MYF:
Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development – MYF:
It is a central non-profit organization registered with the Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity under No. 6563/2018, 982/2021, and working to promote cultural and youth cooperation in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development – MYF:
MYF, the first youth foundation oriented to Mediterranean countries, that has been established in the Arab Republic of Egypt in 2018. It is led by youth/women and aims to serve youth, by involving them in social life, especially youth and women with fewer opportunities to promote their participation in building youth/women-friendly societies.
Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development – MYF:
In addition, MYF is the first Egyptian foundation to win King Hamad Award for Youth Empowerment to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals, Youth Empowerment Category for 2020. It has also been awarded the United Nations and BMW Prize for Innovation and Intercultural Dialogue (Intercultural Innovation Hub - IIH) 2021.
Moreover, it has been accredited as a permanent observer member, at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2022 and the Foundation has also been granted special advisory membership in the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations in 2023
Importance:
The Mediterranean Sea serves as a bridge for dialogue between the East and the West, acting as a convergence point for its three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa. Its coastal regions have witnessed the radiance of knowledge and the unwavering pursuit of rights and freedom throughout history, hosting the ancient Greek civilization, being the cradle of the earliest civilizations, notably in ancient Egypt, as well as leaving a profound impact on the human spirit, as exemplified by the rich heritage of Al-Andalus.
Inspired by this unique human blend, we embrace the Mediterranean not only as a geographical location but also as a symbol of unity. United in purpose, we strive to foster unity of thought and collectively address the challenges that lie ahead.
Background:
The idea of Mediterranean Youth Foundation came after we, the founders, have participated in many international events in which thousands and hundreds of youths around the world took part, whether inside or outside Egypt. However, at the end of each event, we would stay thinking about how we could benefit from the international relations network and keep in touch with each other continuously.
Out of this thinking, we got the idea of constructing a cooperative umbrella through which we can work on mutual development projects to create a positive impact on our societies. Moreover, we can exchange ideas and opinions to be in contact with each other constantly.
After the consultation with the Assistant to the Minister of Youth and Sports in Egypt (Dr. Youssef Wardani), we decided that this umbrella will be a Mediterranean-oriented foundation and will mainly target the Mediterranean and the neighboring countries.
Furthermore, we have chosen the name of the Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development based on the scope of its work in the Mediterranean countries, which focuses on cultural exchange, youth empowerment and building youth-friendly societies. Finally, MYF was established on October 30, 2018, and it was legally recognized on January 27, 2019. The Mediterranean Youth Foundation provides a model of youth civil society led by youth under the age of 29.
MYF vision:
Being the largest green digital youth/women Foundation in the Euro-Mediterranean region working with and for youth, women and the environment.
MYF Message:
Our message triangle focuses on:
- Contributing to the achievement and promotion of Sustainable Development Goals 4, 5, 6, 8, 10,13, 16, and 17
- Empowering young women in communities with less access to opportunities
- Building partnerships to exchange and apply regional and international best practices in the field of youth, women and environmental.
Our mission:
Enhancing cultural and youth/women cooperation between countries overlooking the Mediterranean and neighboring countries through cultural exchange and international volunteer programs; With the aim of empowerment, communication and peace-building.
Our case:
Empowering youth and women, facilitating movement and facing challenges in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
MYF Objectives:
- Promoting a culture of intercultural dialogue and cultural pluralism among the Mediterranean and neighboring countries.
- Building youth capacities to keep pace with development and face global challenges (technological, environmental and climatic).
- Contributing to achieving and promoting the fourth, fifth, sixth, eighth, tenth, thirteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth SDGs.
- Enhancing youth participation to achieve peace, security and human fraternity.
- Involving youth who have less access to opportunities in social life.
- Empowering young women in societies with less access to opportunities and helping them navigate beyond borders.
- Building partnerships to exchange and apply best regional and international practices in the field of youth, women and environment.
Our priorities
1- Facilitating movement
2- Upbringing, literacy and Education in the field of human rights
3- Partnerships to achieve goals
4- Working for youth, women and the environment
5- Working with refugees
6- Capacity building in the field of youth work
Our values:
Human Fraternity – Solidarity – Mobility Freedom – Justice
Theory of change:
- The Mediterranean Youth Foundation’s Theory of Change is based on our firm belief that cultural cooperation and youth empowerment can lead to more peaceful, sustainable and understanding societies across the Mediterranean and neighboring countries.
- We believe that promoting dialogue between cultures and generations and empowering young people of both genders constitutes the main change to achieve our vision at the local and regional levels. Through cultural exchange programs, promoting the culture of pluralism, dialogue and gender equality, as well as climate justice and youth rights, with the aim of creating a wide network of inspired and empowered young people who can contribute effectively to their communities and the world.
- Our theory of change serves as a guide for us to achieve our vision and priorities in designing and implementing local and regional projects, according to our analysis of the current situation and the requirements of the region to which we belong, and analyzing the gaps between what is happening and our short, medium and long-term goals and our desired results in achieving impact and positive change, all the way to developing our implementation plans of our activities, projects and resources within specific time plans and the flexibility of evaluation and follow-up methods for each activity and project individually; For the Mediterranean Youth Foundation to be a pioneer in empowering young people and promoting cultural dialogue, contributing to building a more sustainable and peaceful future for the Mediterranean region and beyond.
