Mediterranean Youth in Action
Voicing Youth Knowledge
Mediterranean Youth in Action – Voicing Youth Knowledge second edition (DEADLINE: 21 April 2025)
The Mediterranean Youth in Action (MYA) Programme embodies a dynamic approach toward fostering positive change in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Grounded in the principle of experiencing through action, MYA empowers young individuals to become catalysts for transformation and advocates for societal progress. With a steadfast commitment to peer sharing and learning, MYA cultivates a vibrant community where young leaders collaborate, exchange ideas, and harness their collective potential.
Embracing a Euro-med vision, the MYA Programme bridges cultural divides and promotes dialogue, understanding, and cooperation across borders. Through initiatives aimed at empowering young people to shape public policy and promoting active citizenship, MYA positions youth as the true agents of change, envisioning a future where they play pivotal roles in shaping the societal landscape of the Mediterranean region.
Throughout the programme, we will be launching several calls designed to target youth from diverse profiles and backgrounds, including young researchers, transformative leaders affiliated with youth-led and youth-oriented organisations, and young social media influencers.
We are excited to announce the launch of the second edition under the MYA Programme:
Voicing Youth Knowledge in Action (Young Researchers)
About the Call
The Mediterranean Youth in Action (MYA) Programme is delighted to launch the second call for young Euro-Mediterranean researchers. Voicing Youth Knowledge is an evidence-based research programme to empower young researchers to address Euro-Mediterranean issues from a policy and academic perspective, to come up with innovative solutions, and to disseminate their findings via direct engagement with policymakers and civil society.
At its core, this Programme embodies the Euro-Med vision of collaboration and mutual understanding, empowering youth to become the true architects of change.
Through your involvement, you will play a vital role in shaping public policies and fostering inclusive development across borders. If you are ready to be a catalyst for meaningful transformation through concrete policy recommendations, we warmly invite you to join us in this exciting journey!
The call is open to young researchers of age between 18 and 35, from the 43 countries of the Euro-Mediterranean region, who are proficient in English, and affiliated to a think tank, a specialized research centre or a university.
Preview the application form here
Benefits of Participation
- Online training with certification (for 50 young researchers)
Acquire advanced skills through an online training programme led by experts. Upon completion, receive a certification from the Anna Lindh Foundation (ALF) Secretariat.
- Face-to-face Knowledge Workout Workshop (for 25 selected researchers)
Immerse yourself in an engaging face-to-face workshop, gaining valuable insights and feedback that will refine your research approach and methodologies.
- Financial support for policy brief publication (for selected researchers)
Excel to be among the 15 selected researchers who will be tasked with crafting a 3,500-word policy brief, a blog post (500 words), and other impactful communication products; the successful researchers will receive a financial contribution of 1.000 euro.
- Increase the visibility of your evidence-based research
Make your evidence-based research accessible to various stakeholders and practitioners. Leveraging the ALF communication tools and network will enhance the dissemination of your research.
- Civil Society Outreach Dialogues (for selected researchers)
Participate in Civil Society Outreach Dialogues to be organised nationally. Join these 2-hour sessions accompanied by local stakeholders and civil society representatives. Engage the public, making your research visible and impactful in communities.
- Financial support for academic dialogues (for selected researchers)
Receive financial support to organise an Academic Dialogue (1.5 hours) in your institution. These dialogues may take various forms, from specialised seminars for the academic/research community to interactive events for student engagement. This initiative aims to empower young researchers and enhance their visibility within their work contexts.
- Networking opportunities
Build valuable connections within your field and beyond. Engage with fellow researchers, stakeholders, and civil society representatives, creating a robust network for potential collaborations and future endeavours.
How to Apply & Programme Phasing
Initiate your involvement by submitting your online application via the available online form only before 21 April 2025 23.59 Central European Time, CET. Ensure alignment with the criteria, demonstrating your commitment to driving positive change in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
Understanding the steps of the application process is crucial for a seamless and successful journey with “Voicing Youth Knowledge” component of the Mediterranean Youth in Action Programme. Here is a breakdown of the process:
- Application submission
You will kickstart your journey with MYA by applying by the specified deadline, ensuring you meet the eligibility criteria, and showcasing your dedication to contributing to the Euro-Mediterranean vision.
This includes the submission of a short abstract of up to 500 words demonstrating originality and incorporating diverse disciplinary and methodological approaches.
- Online skills enhancing training (for 50 pre-selected young researchers)
If pre-selected, you will participate in an online training programme. This training will enhance your research and communication skills, preparing you for the challenges ahead. All young researchers taking the training successfully will receive a certificate of completion from the ALF Secretariat.
- Extended policy-oriented research proposal (for 50 pre-selected young researchers)
Following the online training, you will be required to create an extended policy-oriented research proposal of 1,000 words. This proposal will showcase your innovative solutions and demonstrate your ability to address Euro-Mediterranean issues. Based on the quality of the extended proposals, 25 researchers will be chosen to participate in a face-to-face Knowledge Workout Workshop.
- Face-to-face knowledge Workout Workshop (for 25 selected researchers)
This workshop (1.5 days) will offer a platform for you to present your extended policy-oriented research outlines to an audience of peers and selected stakeholders, receiving valuable feedback to refine your work. Moreover, this gathering presents a unique opportunity to foster a sense of community and collaboration on the Euro-Mediterranean scale, enhancing connectivity and synergy among young researchers from diverse backgrounds
- Elaboration of policy briefs (for up to 15 final selected researchers)
From the 25 participants in the Knowledge Workout Workshop, up to 15 young researchers will be selected to receive financial support for crafting a 3,500-word policy brief, a blog post (500 words), and other communication products in English. The final selection is contingent upon passing a peer review process.
- Publication and dissemination
Upon successful completion and validation, the policy briefs will be translated into French and Arabic for broad dissemination. The selected works will be published on the ALF Website and added to the ALF Intercultural Dialogue Research Centre. The ALF Secretariat will actively disseminate the policy briefs at the Euro-Mediterranean scale.
- Face-to-face evaluation and results sharing meeting (MYA dedicated event)
The 25 beneficiaries in the Knowledge Workshop will be invited to participate in a MYA dedicated event that will bring together youth, decision-makers, and stakeholders from the Euro-Mediterranean region at the end of the cycle of this call. It will provide a platform for sharing insights, fostering collaboration, and for addressing key issues related to youth empowerment and intercultural dialogue. A session on evaluating the impact of the research component of MYA, for purposes of quality control and improvement, will also be part of the MYA dedicated event.
In case of any inquiries related to the call, please send questions to: MYAProgramme@annalindhfoundation.org
Only complete applications, meeting the criteria and submitted before the deadline will be considered.
Please note that it is not possible to save the application as a draft or to make any changes after submitting it. At the close of the call, the most recently submitted version of the application will be processed. The same applicant cannot submit more than one proposal under this call.
Research Topics
Peacebuilding, conflict resolution/prevention, coexistence and inclusive dynamics
Disinformation and misinformation in the Euro-Mediterranean region
Living together promoting tolerance and understanding in the Euro-Mediterranean context
Youth engagement in participatory dialogues and decision-making processes in the Euro-Med
Ethics and governance of Artificial Intelligence technologies in the Euro-Mediterranean region
Social innovation as a catalyst for social inclusion in culturally diverse Euro-Med societies
Empowering women in the Euro-Med region as a way to challenge gender stereotypes and beyond
Integrating social dimensions in climate change policies in the Euro-Mediterranean region
International cultural relations and cultural diplomacy to bridge both shores of the Mediterranean
Creative industries and arts.
Indicative Timeline
13/03/2025 Launch of the call
24/03/2025 Information Session
21/04/2025 Deadline to receive the submission of the short abstract
05/05/2025 Publication of the pre-screening results (around 50 abstracts)
May 2025 Online trainings
June 2025 Deadline to submit Policy-Oriented Research Proposal
September 2025 Face-to-face kick-off engagement meeting
October-November 2025 Deadline to receive the elaborated policy briefs
December 2025 Deadline to receive the second full draft of the policy papers, after the incorporation of the peer review feedback
January 2026 Final editing, quality control, and publication of selected policy papers
February 2026 Face-to-Face ex-post evaluation and results sharing meeting
Read the Call in PDF format here
Due to the high volume of expected applications, responses to individual requests will not be provided. Only pre-screened candidates will be contacted.
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| 31/01/25 | Launch of the call |
| 10/02/25 | Online information session (details will be published on the ALF’ website) |
| 01/03/25 | Deadline to receive submit applications |
| 29/03/25 | Publication of the selection results |
| 18-20/06/25 | ALForum 2025 Tirana |
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are youth affiliated with a non-profit organisation eligible to apply?
The call is primarily for those who are indeed affiliated with universities (undergraduate, post graduate student, PhD Candidate, Post-doc researcher, or other), specialised research centres, and/or think tanks. The idea behind this is to attract candidates who are experienced in and familiar with research tools and methodologies in their field, as well as to make sure they have the adequate support from their institution to conduct their research for this project.
Youth affiliated to NGOs can apply only if their organisation has an evidence-based and policy oriented research project or unit or work strand, in a way that renders this NGO a semi-think tank or research centre.
What is meant by EuroMed scope and approach?
The MYA programme in general embraces a Euro Med approach, bridging divides and promoting dialogue, cooperation, and understanding across borders.
The Voicing Youth Knowledge call is looking for research proposals on an evidence-based and policy-based research subject. The Euro-Med approach in this respect concerns:
- The potential research subjects that focus on key policy areas in the Euro-Med region and are
identified in detail in the call - Taking into consideration the Euro-Med policy framework, in other words, the existing policy framework governing Euro-Med relations and realities
- The evidence-based nature of the proposed research, in other words, the necessity for the proposed research to base its arguments and findings on the complex and special reality on the ground in the Euro-Med region, according to data gathered.
What are the topics of the online workshop, and the face-to-face knowledge Workout Workshop, please?
The online workshop is designed to enhance the policy analysis and research skills of the pre-selected 50 young researchers, especially focusing on the Euro-Med context. An expert or experts in these fields will provide guidance and interactive sessions to strengthen the understanding and capacities of the participating young researchers and prepare them for the task of conducting evidence-based, policy-oriented research and of drafting a policy brief.
The face-to-face knowledge workout workshop is designed to offer a platform for the selected 25 young researchers to present their extended policy-oriented research proposal to an audience of peers and selected stakeholders, receiving valuable feedback in order for them to refine their work. Moreover, the workshop will aim to further enhance the skills and knowledge of the selected young researchers on policy analysis and the Euro-Med context. Lastly, it is designed to provide a unique opportunity to foster a sense of community and collaboration on the Euro Med scale, enhancing connectivity and synergy among young researchers from diverse backgrounds.
Can a group of applicants come together and apply with a single application?
Yes, an application can refer to a research proposal to be conducted by more than one researcher. However, the lump sum for the publication of the policy brief and the organisation of the academic and civil society dialogues is only one per research proposal (and not one per researcher). Also, a lead researcher will have to be designated by the group of applicants and this person should fill in the application form, also naming the rest of the applicants.
Do the applicants’ institutions have to be members of one of the ALF National Civil Society Networks?
No, it is not necessary for the affiliated institution to be an ALF National Civil Society Network member. However, such membership is welcome. When filling out the application, you will be asked whether your institution is a member of the ALF National Civil Society Networks. If yes, you will be asked to provide the link proving this membership. If not, you will be asked whether your organisation has applied to become a member in the past.
How often will the online workshop take place and what is the commitment expected?
The online workshop will be held once, in July. It will consist of 6 hours of total workshop time, plus 2 more hours of breaks in total. The commitment will most probably be for two sessions of 4 hours each within one week, with one or two days break in between the two sessions.
What should the content of the civil society outreach dialogues that will be organised by us be?
The civil society outreach dialogues should be organised nationally by the selected young researchers who will have published their policy briefs, with the support of the respective ALF National Civil Society Network. These sessions are designed to involve local stakeholders and civil society representatives working and focusing on the subject area that the respective young researcher has conducted their research on. The topic of these dialogues can be wider than the exact focus of the respective young researcher’s policy brief, in order to encompass various angles of the topic and to stimulate engaging and fruitful discussions.
What kind of financial contribution will selected young researchers receive under this project and for which activities?
Selected young researchers (approx..10-15) will be tasked with crafting a 3,500 words policy brief, a blog post of 500 words, and other material to be used for communications and promotional purposes. They will be provided with a financial contribution of 1.000 EUR, in order to financially support the conducting of their research. It is up to each individual researcher to decide how to use this lump sum. The lump sum will be provided to the young researchers upon the final evaluation of quality and content and the approval of their submitted policy brief to the ALF Secretariat.
The young researchers who will have been chosen to publish their policy briefs, will be provided with financial support to organise academic dialogues within their affiliated institutions and, thus, disseminate their research; and to organise civil society outreach dialogues and, thus, make their research known to their communities and connect research with evidence and realities on the ground.