YOUTHMED: Empowering Youth for an Inclusive Mediterranean

Transnational Project Kicks Off to Strengthen Youth Participation Across Borders

The YOUTHMED project, co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, has officially launched in Lebanon, Spain, Greece, and Egypt. With a total budget of €1,110,000, including a €987,900 EU contribution (89%), the project aims to empower young people and youth organizations to build inclusive, resilient societies through civic innovation, digital engagement, and cross-border cooperation.

Led by the Planning and Development Association (PDA) in Lebanon, the project brings together a dynamic consortium of partners: PDA -Lebanon / Seville Chamber of Commerce Foundation (FCCSEV) – Spain / Action Synergy – Greece / Best World Foundation – Egypt / National League for Culture and Development (NLCD) – Lebanon

YOUTHMED’s activities include youth training in civic participation, structured dialogue, and e-media production. A major highlight is the launch of SmartMaria, a pioneering AI-powered platform designed to support cooperation among youth organizations, manage shared knowledge, and foster collective intelligence across the Mediterranean.

The project will also organize transnational events in each of the four countries, bringing together youth leaders, civil society actors, and institutional representatives. These events will involve political and cultural leaders, not only to enhance visibility, but more importantly, to engage in open discussions with youth about their concerns, aspirations, and role in shaping public policies. This participatory approach aims to bridge the gap between young citizens and decision-makers.

YOUTHMED is expected to Train 510 youth across five Mediterranean regions, Facilitate cross-border cooperation among at least 25 youth organizations, and Engage over 100 youth in sustained joint actions, even after the project concludes

A multilingual communication campaign will accompany the activities, including the release of an official project poster, short video productions, and targeted outreach through social and institutional media.

This initiative contributes to the broader objectives of the Interreg NEXT MED Programme by promoting youth inclusion, territorial cohesion, and transnational cooperation across the Mediterranean basin.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.interregnextmed.eu/our-projects/youthmed

📩 Media Contact
YOUTHMED management / ✉️ [email protected] / 📞 +961 78 808 677