The Mediterranean Youth Academy – MYA 4th Edition in France
- Omran Aburayya
- Aug 22
- 3 min read
If you've ever imagined empowering the next generation of Euro-Mediterranean youth to drive impactful change, the applications are now open! The 4th Edition of the Mediterranean Youth Academy (MYA) is gearing up for Nice, France, from 13th to 17th November 2025 (including travel days). This dynamic series of workshops and training sessions will equip young leaders with the non-formal education and skills to address regional challenges and play an active role in policy and decision-making processes.
💡 Academy Summary
Location: Nice, France
Promoters: Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development (MYF), Centre International de Formation Européenne (CIFE), in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports
Format: Four-day non-formal training program
Target Group: Youth aged 18–29 from Euro-Mediterranean region, with special inclusion of vulnerable and marginalized groups
Fields of Focus / Thematic Clusters:
Climate Action & Justice
Gender Equity & Transformation
Youth Employment & Entrepreneurship
Value & Coverage: Fully funded participation (travel, training, etc.) implied; hosts support development of youth-led initiatives post-event
Duration: November 13–17, 2025 (inclusive of travel days); overall project spans 10 months (July 2025 – April 2026)
Application Deadline: 20 August 2025, 23:59 CEST
Eligible To Apply: Young people (18–29) from Euro-Mediterranean countries, especially those from vulnerable or marginalized groups, with basic English (B2) proficiency
🌍 Academy Overview
The MYA 4th Edition builds on the success of its predecessors in Cairo, Alexandria, and Barcelona—each hosted under the patronage of the Egyptian Prime Minister and in collaboration with institutions like UfM, GIZ, Anna Lindh Foundation, IEMed, IOM, UNDP, and others . This edition aims to prepare 70–80 young leaders through immersive workshops that focus on policy dialogue, peer collaboration, and actionable project development .
Participants will:
Work in thematic clusters to develop policy recommendations
Design 2–3 youth-led initiatives or policy papers to be supported post-event
Contribute to the “Initiatives for the Mediterranean” guidebook, a tool for future youth-led social change in the region
🎁Benefits & Coverage
Fully funded participation (implied cost coverage)
Access to high-quality training, workshops, and peer networking
Post-event support to pursue youth-led initiatives
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Aged between 18–29 years
From any Euro-Mediterranean country
Availability for full duration of the program
B2-level English (working proficiency)
Special consideration for candidates from vulnerable or marginalized backgrounds
📝 Application Procedure
Prospective applicants should:
Carefully read the Guidelines for Applicants and FAQs
Complete and submit the online application form via this official link before 20 August 2025, 23:59 CEST
Expect notification of selection by 30 August 2025, followed by a preparatory online training (September–October) before the in-person event
Note: Applications that don't respect the guidelines or are submitted late will be automatically rejected.
📨 Contact the Academy at mya@myfmed.org for any further queries.
💡 Extra Insights
This edition coincides with the 10th anniversary of CIFE’s Master’s in Mediterranean Studies, offering a symbolic and strategic link to academic excellence in the region
The MYF organization behind MYA is an established youth empowerment foundation based in Egypt, accredited by entities like UNFCCC UN, UNEP, and the European Union, and now operating a branch in Montpellier, France .
⭐ Final Thoughts
The 4th Mediterranean Youth Academy is a powerful platform for emerging leaders eager to confront the pressing challenges of the Euro-Mediterranean region. Through inclusive, hands-on training, policy engagement, and long-term initiative support, MYA empowers youth to become catalysts of sustainable change.
Don't miss this chance—applications close 20 August 2025!
