The UfM Med Youth Lab is a capacity-building initiative launched by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and supported by funding from the German Development Cooperation.

Building on the momentum of its inaugural edition, the UfM Med Youth Lab 2025 will center on strengthening participants' project development skills. The programme will feature a blend of virtual training sessions and in-person workshops, culminating in a final pitch event scheduled to take place in Tirana, Albania, from 29 September to 2 October 2025.

At the final event, participants will have the opportunity to showcase their project ideas and receive constructive feedback from representatives and partners of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). Following this, up to three project teams will be selected to participate in a tailored online mentorship programme, delivered by the Euromed Innovation Center at the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fes in Morocco.

Aligned with the UfM Youth Agenda, the initiative seeks to empower 60 emerging youth leaders by equipping them with practical tools in collaboration, civic engagement, and leadership development.

Focus Areas

Participants in the UfM Med Youth Lab will engage in expert-led sessions, collaborative work, and tailored mentorship to transform their ideas into well-structured and impactful project proposals within three core thematic areas:

1. Youth and Climate Adaptation
   This cluster explores how young people can contribute to climate resilience by designing responses to environmental, social, and economic challenges caused by climate change—aligned with the UNFCCC’s definition of adaptation.
2. Youth Transitioning from Education to Employment
   Addressing the widespread issue of youth unemployment, especially in the Mediterranean and MENA regions where nearly 29% of young people are classified as NEETs (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), this theme supports solutions that ease the transition from learning to the workforce.
3. Youth in Peace and Security
   Inspired by the 2015 adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2250, this area emphasizes the role of young people as agents of peace and highlights the importance of meaningful youth participation in conflict prevention, reconciliation, and peacebuilding initiatives.

Selection Criteria:

Pre-selection Evaluation
You'll be asked to choose one of three topic groupings.
Each theme will have around 20 people picked.
Changing themes later is not guaranteed.

Don't miss out on the application deadline which is  8 June 2025.

Scroll down below for more details and click  on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity.