Deadline: 23-May-2026
The MYA Programme is a regional initiative designed to empower young leaders to implement community-driven projects that promote inclusion, diversity, and sustainable social development across the Euro-Mediterranean region.
It supports grassroots action that responds directly to local needs while contributing to broader regional cooperation, dialogue, and social transformation aligned with the Pact for the Mediterranean.
Programme Objectives
The MYA Programme aims to:
- Promote intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding
- Strengthen inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunities
- Support active youth participation in public life and policymaking
- Encourage community-led and locally driven solutions
- Foster sustainable social and economic development
- Build resilient and empowered local communities
- Strengthen Euro-Mediterranean cooperation and solidarity
Key Focus Areas
Funded initiatives should address one or more of the following:
- Intercultural dialogue and community cohesion
- Youth participation and active citizenship
- Inclusion and equal opportunities
- Social innovation and transformation
- Local economic and community development
- Sustainable grassroots impact
- Policy engagement at community level
- Priorities aligned with the Pact for the Mediterranean
Funding and Benefits
Selected participants receive comprehensive financial and non-financial support:
Financial Support
- Up to €8,000 per selected initiative
- Additional funding for communication and dissemination activities
Capacity Building
- Online training on project management
- Communication and leadership development
- Transformative leadership skills training
Mentorship and Evaluation
- Continuous mentorship from ALF Secretariat
- Ongoing evaluation and learning support
- Guidance throughout project implementation
Networking and Visibility
- Participation in a kick-off meeting in a Euro-Mediterranean country
- Networking with civil society actors and regional stakeholders
- Opportunities to join ALF Dialogues and Youth Conferences
- Exposure through communication and storytelling activities
- Access to MYA Alumni network after completion
Programme Scale and Reach
- Up to 35 young community leaders selected
- Projects implemented across eligible Euro-Mediterranean countries
- Focus on local, community-level transformation with regional impact
Who is Eligible
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Age between 18 and 35 years
- Must be affiliated with youth-led or youth-oriented community-based organisations
- Must be nationals of one of the 43 Member States of the Anna Lindh Foundation
- Must propose a grassroots initiative for implementation in an eligible country
- Must demonstrate innovation and community impact potential
How the Programme Works
The implementation process typically includes:
- Submission of grassroots project proposal
- Selection of up to 35 young leaders
- Participation in online training and capacity-building sessions
- Attendance at a kick-off meeting for project refinement
- Implementation of community-based initiative
- Ongoing mentorship and evaluation by ALF Secretariat
- Participation in networking and dissemination activities
- Integration into MYA Alumni network
Expected Outcomes
Funded initiatives are expected to:
- Deliver tangible community-level impact
- Strengthen intercultural understanding
- Improve youth participation in local development
- Contribute to social inclusion and cohesion
- Promote sustainable, community-led solutions
- Enhance regional cooperation across the Euro-Mediterranean space
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Submitting projects without clear community impact
- Weak alignment with intercultural or inclusion objectives
- Lack of affiliation with eligible youth organisations
- Vague or non-innovative project design
- Missing alignment with Pact for the Mediterranean priorities
- Unrealistic implementation plans for €8,000 budget
Tips for a Strong Application
To improve chances of selection:
- Clearly define local community needs and solutions
- Demonstrate strong youth leadership and engagement
- Align initiative with inclusion and intercultural dialogue goals
- Provide realistic and measurable impact indicators
- Ensure innovation and sustainability in project design
- Highlight long-term community benefits and partnerships
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the MYA Programme for grassroots initiatives?
- It supports youth-led community projects in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
- It focuses on inclusion, dialogue, and local social transformation.
- It empowers young leaders to implement real-world solutions.
- How much funding is provided?
- Up to €8,000 per project
- Additional support for communication activities
- Who can apply?
- Young people aged 18–35
- Members of youth-led or community-based organisations
- Nationals of Anna Lindh Foundation member states
- How many participants are selected?
- Up to 35 young community leaders
- Selection is based on project quality and impact potential
- What support is provided besides funding?
- Training in leadership and project management
- Mentorship from ALF Secretariat
- Networking and regional engagement opportunities
- What is the MYA Alumni network?
- A long-term engagement platform for trained participants
- Provides continued access to regional activities and collaborations
Conclusion
The Mediterranean Youth in Action (MYA) Programme is a youth empowerment initiative that enables young leaders to design and implement grassroots projects addressing inclusion, intercultural dialogue, and social transformation. Through funding, training, and regional networking opportunities, it strengthens local communities while building long-term cooperation across the Euro-Mediterranean region.
For more information, visit Anna Lindh Foundation.