MYA Brief:
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 first call under the MYA Programme:
Voicing Youth Knowledge in Action (Young Researchers)
About the Call
Through your involvement, you'll play a vital role in shaping public policies and fostering inclusive development across borders. If you're ready to be a catalyst for meaningful transformation, we warmly invite you to join us in this exciting journey! Application deadline: 27 June 2024 (23:59 Central European Time)
Researchers must be affiliated to a think tank, a specialised research centre or a university
Preview the application form here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who Can Apply
Young researchers of age between 18 and 35, from the 43 countries of the UFM, who are proficient in English, and affiliated to a think tank, a specialized research centre or a university.
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 27 June 2024 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.
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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.
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- 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.
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- 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
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- Face-to-face evaluation and results sharing meeting (MYA Forum)
The 25 beneficiaries in the Knowledge Workout Workshop will be invited to participate in the MYA Forum that brings together youth, decision-makers, and stakeholders from the Euro-Mediterranean region at the end of the cycle. It provides a platform for sharing insights, fostering collaboration, and addressing key issues related to youth empowerment and intercultural dialogue. It will be also the occasion to evaluate the impact of the "Voicing Youth Knowledge" component to improve further editions. The MYA Forum will take place back-to- back to the ALForum, scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2025.
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
- Public spaces and social inclusion
- Disinformation and misinformation in the Euro-Mediterranean region
- Living together 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 to challenge gender stereotypes
- Integrating social dimensions in climate change policies in the EuroMed region
- International cultural relations and cultural diplomacy to bridge both shores of the Mediterranean
Indicative timeline
16/05/24 Launch of the call
03/06/24 Information Session
27/06/24 Deadline to receive the submission of the short abstract
11/07/24 Publication of the pre-screening results (around 50 abstracts)
July 2024 Online trainings
September 2024 Deadline to submit Policy-Oriented Research Proposal
November 2024 Face-to-face kick-off engagement meeting
January 2025 Deadline to receive the elaborated policy briefs
First quarter 2025 Face-to-Face ex-post evaluation and results sharing meeting back-to-back to ALForum
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.