In September 2023, an important Erasmus+ project titled “Climate and Displacement: Building Euro-Arab Bridges” took place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. This international training brought together youth workers from Europe and Arab countries to learn, share, and collaborate on one of the most urgent global issues today—climate-induced displacement. Organized through the Erasmus+ framework, the training focused on understanding how climate change causes people to leave their homes and how young people and communities can respond. It was a unique opportunity for cross-cultural learning and action, and for one participant representing the Mediterranean Youth Foundation from Egypt, the experience brought both personal growth and professional transformation.
In Egypt, climate change is already a visible part of daily life. Rising temperatures, limited water resources, and extreme weather events affect many regions of the country. In rural areas, desertification threatens agriculture and traditional livelihoods. In cities like Cairo and Alexandria, air pollution and heatwaves make life harder for many people, especially those in low-income neighborhoods. The Nile Delta, one of the most fertile parts of the country, is at risk due to rising sea levels. Families living along the coast already feel the danger of losing their land and homes. Although these problems have existed for some time, public conversations about climate-induced displacement remain limited. Most of the focus stays on environmental problems or infrastructure, but not on how climate change can force people to migrate. Before the project, many youth in Egypt were aware of environmental challenges, but the link between these and human movement was not fully explored in local education or youth work.
The training in Sharm El-Sheikh became a turning point in how this issue was understood. Participants from different countries shared stories about what was happening in their regions. Some spoke about floods in Europe, while others talked about long droughts in North Africa. One of the most emotional parts of the training was the use of storytelling. Instead of just reading facts or watching presentations, participants were invited to speak from their hearts. Listening to a young woman from Tunisia talk about her village running out of water, or a youth worker from Spain describing coastal erosion, made the issue more real. It was no longer just an environmental problem—it became a human story.
Another strong part of the training was learning about community-based solutions. There were workshops showing how local knowledge can be used to build resilience, especially in areas with limited resources. Some groups were using traditional irrigation systems to save water. Others created youth campaigns to spread awareness in creative ways. Seeing these projects inspired many of the participants. The training also included sessions on how to analyze policies and advocate for better laws to protect vulnerable communities. Discussions between participants helped everyone understand that while the causes of displacement might be different, the emotions, fears, and hopes of people were often the same.
Returning home to Cairo, the participant from the Mediterranean Youth Foundation felt motivated to take action. A new community-based program was launched under the title “My Land, My Voice.” The project aimed to connect youth from communities in the Nile Delta and coastal regions with the tools and space to share their experiences of climate change. The idea was to give voice to young people who are often left out of national conversations, especially those in areas most affected by environmental changes. Inspired by the storytelling method learned during the training, workshops were held where youth wrote personal stories, created short videos, and discussed the emotional side of climate stress in their hometowns.
The project also partnered with schools and youth centers to bring these stories into educational spaces. By including real voices and experiences, the topic of climate displacement became easier to understand for other youth. Teachers noticed that students were more engaged when they heard stories from people their age. It helped make the issue more personal. Some students who joined the workshops went on to start their own climate clubs. Others made small community actions like planting trees or creating awareness posters in their neighborhoods.
The impact of “My Land, My Voice” was clear. In a short time, it reached over one hundred young people in three governorates. It also opened new conversations with local decision-makers. In one town near the coast, the project invited the mayor to a youth forum where students presented their concerns about sea-level rise and erosion. This small event helped create a bridge between youth and local government. It showed that when youth are given tools and platforms, they can take an active role in building climate resilience in their communities.
The experience also had a strong effect on the Mediterranean Youth Foundation. It showed the organization the power of combining storytelling, local knowledge, and structured youth work. New partnerships were made with environmental NGOs and local schools. The project also helped the foundation write a new strategy for including climate education and displacement awareness in all its future activities. Most importantly, it confirmed that youth in Egypt are ready to lead, if only given the chance.
Looking ahead, the lessons from the Erasmus+ training in Sharm El-Sheikh continue to guide the work of many youth workers. The experience showed that climate and displacement are not problems of the future—they are already here. But it also proved that solutions are possible, especially when people from different countries come together with respect and understanding. The road ahead is not easy. Climate change will continue to bring challenges. But with the energy, creativity, and courage of young people, there is also hope.
Youth workers are in a special position. They can help others understand, feel, and act. They are not just educators—they are connectors, listeners, and leaders. Projects like “Climate and Displacement: Building Euro-Arab Bridges” remind everyone that change does not start with institutions. It starts with people, with conversations, and with the decision to care. The vision is to continue building strong, inclusive communities where no one is left behind—no matter the climate, the country, or the challenge.