UfM Med Youth Lab 2026: Fully Sponsored Entrepreneurship Skills Programme in Italy

The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) has opened applications for the third edition of the UfM Med Youth Lab, an introductory entrepreneurship and employability skills programme for university students and recent graduates across the Euro-Mediterranean region.

The programme is designed specifically for young people aged 18–29 who are curious about entrepreneurship but have little or no previous experience in the field.

Up to 30 young participants will take part in online training between October and December 2026, followed by practical, in-person workshops in Palermo, Italy, from 14–16 December 2026.

Participation is free of charge, while selected participants from eligible countries will receive financial support covering travel, visa and accommodation costs for the in-person component.

About the UfM Med Youth Lab 2026

The UfM Med Youth Lab is a skills-building initiative organised by the Union for the Mediterranean, with the support of the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and in partnership with the University of Palermo.

The 2026 edition focuses on introducing young people to foundational concepts in entrepreneurship and employability.

Rather than requiring applicants to already have a business or extensive entrepreneurial experience, the programme specifically targets beginners who want to understand entrepreneurship and develop practical skills they can use in their academic, professional and community activities.

Through expert-led sessions, non-formal education, teamwork and peer learning, participants will develop their entrepreneurial mindset and strengthen practical transferable skills.

What Participants Will Learn

During the programme, participants will develop foundational knowledge and skills in:

• Entrepreneurial thinking and mindset
• Innovation
• Basic financial literacy
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Employability
• Teamwork and peer learning

The programme is designed to build participants’ confidence and help them understand how entrepreneurial thinking can be applied to real-life challenges.

Training of Trainers Approach

A distinctive feature of the 2026 edition is its Training of Trainers approach.

Participants will receive support to design a simple introductory awareness session about entrepreneurship. They will then be encouraged to share this knowledge with other young people at the national or local level in 2027.

Participants are not expected to become professional entrepreneurship trainers or experts. Instead, the programme aims to equip them with enough knowledge and confidence to act as peer facilitators, introducing basic entrepreneurship concepts within their communities.

This approach allows the impact of the programme to extend beyond the 30 selected participants.

Programme Components

The UfM Med Youth Lab 2026 consists of three main components:

1. Online Training

October–December 2026

Selected participants will participate in online learning sessions covering entrepreneurship, innovation, financial literacy, communication and problem-solving.

2. In-Person Workshops

14–16 December 2026

The in-person component will take place in Palermo, Italy.

The workshops will provide participants with opportunities for practical learning, teamwork, peer exchange and interaction with other young people from across the Mediterranean.

3. Follow-Up Activities

2027

Following the main programme, participants will be encouraged to share their newly acquired knowledge through introductory entrepreneurship awareness sessions with peers in their communities.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be 18–29 years old at the time of application.
• Be a national and resident of a UfM Member State.
• Be currently enrolled in a university programme or have graduated no more than one year before the application deadline.
• Hold a valid travel document, such as a passport.
• Have at least B2-level English or equivalent ability to actively participate in discussions and group activities.
• Have little or no significant previous knowledge, training or professional experience in entrepreneurship.
• Be fully available to participate in both the online training and the in-person workshops in Palermo.

The programme is specifically designed for beginners.

Applicants with significant previous entrepreneurship training, experience running or funding a start-up, or professional experience working with business-support organisations are not eligible for selection.

Participants from the 2024 and 2025 editions may also apply, provided they meet all eligibility requirements for the 2026 edition.

Eligible Countries

Selected participants from the following countries are eligible for full sponsorship of travel, visa and accommodation expenses associated with the in-person programme:

🇦🇱 Albania
🇩🇿 Algeria
🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina
🇪🇬 Egypt
🇯🇴 Jordan
🇱🇧 Lebanon
🇱🇾 Libya
🇲🇷 Mauritania
🇲🇪 Montenegro
🇲🇦 Morocco
🇲🇰 North Macedonia
🇵🇸 Palestine
🇸🇾 Syria
🇹🇳 Tunisia
🇹🇷 Türkiye

For selected participants from these countries, travel, visa fees and accommodation for the in-person component in Palermo will be covered.

What Makes This Opportunity Valuable?

The programme provides young people with an opportunity to gain practical entrepreneurship knowledge without requiring them to already have a business idea, start-up or extensive entrepreneurial background.

Participants will also benefit from:

• Practical entrepreneurship and employability skills
• Exposure to innovation and entrepreneurial thinking
• Basic financial literacy
• Communication and problem-solving skills
• Peer learning with young people from across the Mediterranean
• International networking and regional cooperation
• Hands-on learning in Palermo
• Experience developing a peer-focused entrepreneurship awareness session

The programme also provides an opportunity for participants to bring what they learn back to their own communities.

Background of the Programme

The UfM Med Youth Lab was first launched in Fes, Morocco, in November 2024.

Its second edition combined online training with in-person workshops in Tirana, Albania, in September and October 2025.

The first two editions focused primarily on project-development skills, helping young people transform ideas into structured project proposals.

Building on lessons from these previous editions, the 2026 programme introduces a new emphasis on entrepreneurship and employability skills, while maintaining the initiative’s focus on practical learning, peer exchange and regional cooperation.

The programme forms part of the UfM’s broader work to strengthen youth participation, skills development and access to opportunities across the Euro-Mediterranean region.

It contributes to the objectives of the UfM Youth Strategy 2030 and the UfM Youth Agenda: Call for Action, which highlight the importance of education, employment, social inclusion and meaningful youth participation.

Application Process

Before applying, candidates should:

1. Check that they meet all eligibility requirements.
2. Review the financial coverage available to participants.
3. Carefully read the application guidelines.
4. Prepare the required attachments.
5. Submit the completed application before the deadline.

Application Deadline

📅 30 August 2026 at 23:59 CEST

How to Apply

Interested applicants can submit their applications through the official UfM Med Youth Lab application platform:

🔗 Apply for the UfM Med Youth Lab 2026

For questions or difficulties with the application process, applicants can contact:

medyouthlab@ufmsecretariat.org

Conclusion

The UfM Med Youth Lab 2026 offers a valuable opportunity for university students and recent graduates to gain foundational entrepreneurship and employability skills in an international learning environment.

With free participation, online training, practical workshops in Palermo, and full travel, visa and accommodation support available to selected participants from eligible countries, the programme provides a strong opportunity for young people who are at the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey.

Young people who meet the eligibility requirements and have little or no previous entrepreneurship experience are encouraged to apply before the 30 August 2026 deadline.

Discover more opportunities like this on the OFY Webpage.