MYA TRANSFORMATIVE YOUTH IN ACTION
Open Call for Community Leaders
MYA Programme
The Mediterranean Youth in Action (MYA) Programme of the Anna Lindh Foundation (ALF) embodies a dynamic approach toward fostering positive change in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Grounded in gaining experience and learning through action, MYA empowers young pioneers 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 programme bridges cultural divides and promotes dialogue, understanding, and cooperation across borders. Through initiatives aimed at empowering young people to shape public policy and promote 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.
About the call
Step into the world of transformative action with the Mediterranean Youth in Action (MYA) Programme!
This call is designed to empower young leaders to create tangible and lasting impact in their communities. Through MYA, young transformative leaders from both shores of the Euro-Mediterranean region are invited to implement grassroots initiatives that inspire community-led solutions to address home needs, while promoting inclusion. It is a call for hands-on involvement and real change.
Selected initiatives will act as inspiring prototypes at the local level, showcasing the relevance and effectiveness of community action on the broader Euro-Mediterranean scale.
This call offers an extraordinary opportunity for young leaders to unleash their creativity and drive lasting, positive change in society. So, if you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and be a part of something truly meaningful, MYA is calling your name. Join us, and let’s turn vision into action!
Who can apply
Young Transformative Leaders between the ages of 18 and 35, who have the nationality of one of the 43 countries of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. If you are interested in applying, you have to be affiliated with youth-led or youth-oriented community-based organisations.
How to apply
Submit your online application via the available online form only before 31 January 2026, 23.59 Central European Time, CET.
Ensure alignment with the criteria, demonstrating your commitment to driving positive change in your local community. In your application, you will need to craft a concise initiative outline, limited to 500 words, focusing on local transformative initiatives that address community needs and promote inclusion.
Only complete applications, meeting the criteria and submitted before the deadline will be considered.
Please note: it is not possible to save the application as a draft or to make any changes after submitting it. By the set deadline, only the most recently submitted version of the application will be considered. The same applicant cannot submit more than one proposal under this call.
Due to the expected high volume of applications, only pre-screened candidates will be contacted.
There will be an info session scheduled for live questions and answers. In case you miss that or have any further questions or face any technical problems, please write to us at: mya.transformativeyouth@alfsecretariat.org
What should your initiative be like?
Your initiatives should be locally transformative, and they should directly address clearly identified community needs. Applicants are encouraged to showcase how their projects contribute to diversity, inclusivity, and equal opportunities in their communities.
In your application, you should demonstrate why your project is unique and how it effectively addresses the identified need or problem. Initiatives can have a social, economic, or public policy focus, provided they directly address the community challenges identified and seek to achieve inclusion, yielding sustainable results.
The applicants will benefit from
1. Skills enhancement (60 pre-selected young community leaders):
Elevate project management, communication, and transformative leadership skills through an online training programme. Receive a certification endorsed by the ALF Secretariat.
2. Face-to-face kick-off meeting (up to 30 selected young community leaders):
Join a kick-off meeting in person in one of the Euro-Mediterranean countries for peer review and discussions. Refine methodologies, build connections, and prepare for the initiative’s implementation phase.
3. Financial support (up to 30 selected young community leaders):
Receive up to 8,000 euros for implementing community-level initiatives.
4. Networking opportunities:
Connect with leaders, stakeholders, and civil society representatives. Build a robust network for potential collaborations and future endeavours.
5. Evaluation and learning support:
Receive continuous accompaniment and support. Engage in online intermediate sessions, ensuring timely and collaborative problem-solving. The ALF Secretariat is committed to supporting participants at every stage.
6. Targeted communication outputs:
Young leaders will actively contribute to communication initiatives, creating diverse content to share their insights. These will include direct testimonies from the young community leaders about their experiences and knowledge gained during their participation in the MYA programme. An ad-hoc financial support will be provided for these contributions.
The applicants will benefit from
1. Skills enhancement (60 pre-selected young community leaders):
Elevate project management, communication, and transformative leadership skills through an online training programme. Receive a certification endorsed by the ALF Secretariat.
2. Face-to-face kick-off meeting (up to 30 selected young community leaders):
Join a kick-off meeting in person in one of the Euro-Mediterranean countries for peer review and discussions. Refine methodologies, build connections, and prepare for the initiative’s implementation phase.
3. Financial support (up to 30 selected young community leaders):
Receive up to 8,000 euros for implementing community-level initiatives.
4. Networking opportunities:
Connect with leaders, stakeholders, and civil society representatives. Build a robust network for potential collaborations and future endeavours.
5. Evaluation and learning support:
Receive continuous accompaniment and support. Engage in online intermediate sessions, ensuring timely and collaborative problem-solving. The ALF Secretariat is committed to supporting participants at every stage.
6. Targeted communication outputs:
Young leaders will actively contribute to communication initiatives, creating diverse content to share their insights. These will include direct testimonies from the young community leaders about their experiences and knowledge gained during their participation in the MYA programme. An ad-hoc financial support will be provided for these contributions.
Additional benefits: participation in Euro-Mediterranean dialogues and MYA Forum
As a selected young community leader, your journey with the ALF offers an exclusive opportunity to actively engage in participatory and policy dialogues in the Euro-Mediterranean region. This includes participation in events such as:
ALF Youth Dialogues: The top-performing young leaders will have the opportunity to actively participate in dynamic events and dialogues organised at the Euro-Mediterranean scale, amplifying youth voices and perspectives, fostering dialogue, and connecting with stakeholders and peers across the region. Participating in these events not only enhances your visibility and network but also provides a unique platform to contribute to meaningful dialogues shaping the Euro-Mediterranean narrative.
Selection and eligibility criteria
Selection criteria will be based on the quality of the applications received in terms of measurable impact.
The selection process is designed to ensure fairness, equal treatment, diversity, and relevance. Below are the selection criteria:
1. Alignment with local community needs (25%)
Demonstrated understanding of local community needs and a clear articulation of how the proposed initiative addresses these needs at the grassroots level. Analysis of context weighs at 15%, and the targeted beneficiaries at 10%.
2. Feasibility and clarity of the implementation plan (25%)
Provision of a feasible and well-detailed implementation plan, including a clear description of activities, appropriate indicators for outputs (products) and outcomes (impact at the community level).
3. Innovation element of the transformative initiative (25%)
Application of new perspectives with the goal of improving the impact of the proposed initiative, develop tailored solutions challenging the status quo and thinking outside the box, to achieve breakthrough results in relation to the most pressing identified problems or address unmet needs.
4. Background and experience (15%)
Demonstrated diverse background and experiences showcasing the applicant’s ability to contribute unique perspectives and approaches to the initiative, and that they have sufficient community engagement experience.
5. Applicability and relevance at the Euro-Med scale (10%)
Demonstration of how the proposed initiative is relevant to and aligned with the broader Euro-Med context, taking into account the unique socio-cultural, economic, and political factors of the locality and those of the region.
The ALF is dedicated to promoting an inclusive and non-discriminatory atmosphere within the Transformative Youth in Action.
A gender and geographical balance between regions and countries will be observed. This commitment underscores our goal to create a diverse and equitable community, fostering sustainable and inclusive development in the Euro-Med region.
Due to the large number of applications expected, the limited resources available, and the aim of diversifying the beneficiaries, priority will be given to applications that did not receive funding from any ALF programmes over the past two years.
Programme phasing
Embark on a vibrant journey with the ALF by acquainting yourself with the process. Here is a detailed breakdown to guide you seamlessly through each step:
Indicative timeline
24/12/25 Launch of the call
08/01/26 Information Session (Save this link to join at 1pm CET)
31/01/26 Deadline to receive the submission of the initiatives outlines
20/02/26 Publication of the pre-screening results (around 60 initiatives)
February 2026 Online training
10/03/2026 Deadline to receive the submission of the extended proposals
March 2026 Face-to-face kick-off engagement meeting
March 2026 Publication of the selection results (around 30 initiatives)
April 2026 Earliest possible start date of the community-based initiatives benefiting from this call
August 2026 Latest possible end date of the community-based initiatives benefiting from this call
Second half of 2026 Face-to-Face ex-post evaluation and results sharing meeting
Please note: The above timeline is indicative and may be subject to slight adjustments depending on the number of applications received and the overall evaluation process. The ALF Secretariat will make every effort to follow the proposed schedule while ensuring a fair and comprehensive selection process.
Background
The ALF, was created in 2005 as a Euro-Mediterranean intergovernmental organisation based in Alexandria. The ALF, inspired by Anna Lindh’s legacy, is committed to fostering intercultural dialogue within its mission of nurturing inclusive societies where diversity is celebrated and everyone’s voice is valued. By promoting peace, justice, and strong partnerships, the ALF strives to create a world where people from diverse backgrounds live in harmony through open and meaningful intercultural exchanges.
ALF brings together organisations, institutions, policy makers, and other change makers from all Euro-Med countries to open a dialogue and cooperate. People meet, learn, and collaborate, through the Foundation’s different Programmes and initiatives in different fields to empower them to create a chain of positive change that touches more lives and communities. Its action is grounded on the two main ALF bodies: Its National Civil Society Networks, with more than 4.500 members, and the 43 States of its Board of Governors.
Framework and financial allocation
This Programme is developed in the framework of the Action Grant “Mediterranean Youth in Action-MYA” ref. NDICI-GEO-NEAR/2023/448-134. The indicative overall amount allocated to this call is 240,000 euro. The ALF Secretariat reserves the right not to disburse all available funds.