The Mediterranean Youth Task Force (MYTF) is the youth network of the Silva Mediterranea Secretariat. It is a self-led group of engaged young people up to 35 years old who are either from, or living in, the Mediterranean region. Participants are students, researchers, young professionals or those with active roles in the forest sector of the Mediterranean region.
MYTF strengthens youth engagement in Mediterranean forestry by providing an open and inclusive platform for interdisciplinary learning, knowledge sharing and capacity building. It also promotes intergenerational exchange, connecting young people with decision-makers, practitioners and institutions to help ensure that youth perspectives and expertise inform dialogue, priorities and action across the region.
The overall goal of the MYTF is to facilitate meaningful youth engagement in Mediterranean forestry issues.
The Mediterranean Youth Task Force has three main objectives:
- participate in, organize and promote knowledge-sharing and capacity-building activities aligned with the areas of work of the Silva Mediterranea Secretariat, its five active working groups, and in collaboration with other relevant organizations, initiatives and youth networks;
- promote spaces for exchange and dialogue among young people and with decision-makers and other relevant actors in the Mediterranean forest sector, including by fostering intergenerational dialogue and exchange across disciplines and sectors; and
- propose, lead and support innovative actions in the Mediterranean forest sector, strengthening youth-led initiatives, participation and collective impact.
Background
In March 2022, during the seventh Mediterranean Forest Week (7MFW) held in Antalya, Türkiye, Silva Mediterranea had a successful youth dialogue where young people from the Mediterranean region discussed the most prominent issues affecting youth involvement in the forest sector.
As a result, the Mediterranean Youth Statement was developed and presented by two young representatives at the high-level segment of the 7MFW. It also fed into the regional youth consultations of the XI World Forestry Congress and its Work with us – Youth Call for Action.
The Mediterranean Youth Statement highlighted that young people should be recognized as key stakeholders and agents of change, and that they should be included at all levels of decision-making. It also noted that young people in the region face limited inclusion, participation and representation in policy dialogue and decision-making processes in the forest sector. At the same time, young people in the region are already contributing through research, field practice and community engagement. They bring knowledge, skills and innovation, and they seek meaningful opportunities to engage in high-level discussions and influence decisions.
The statement also emphasized that, during the transition from academic studies to professional careers, young people often face significant difficulties. These challenges can be addressed through enhanced employment opportunities and the promotion of traineeships, internships, mentorship programmes and grants. The statement further recalled the importance of accessible economic and financial resources for young people in both education and employment in the forestry sector. Beyond identifying gaps encountered by young foresters in the region, the Statement sets out a vision for what young people can contribute.
Building on the Mediterranean Youth Statement, exchanges held during 7MFW, including high-level discussions, technical sessions and side events, and the twenty-fourth session of the Committee on Mediterranean Forestry Questions - Silva Mediterranea, underscored the need to strengthen youth participation in Mediterranean forest issues. This led to the creation of the Mediterranean Youth Task Force (MYTF), as the youth-led network supported by the Silva Mediterranea Secretariat.
Mission
MYTF aims to strengthen the inclusion and meaningful engagement of young people in the forest sector across the Mediterranean region. As a youth-led network bringing together young people from diverse disciplines and knowledge pathways engaged in forests and landscapes, it promotes interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration, and seeks to empower young people to study, work in and contribute to their sustainable management across the region. MYTF promotes the integration of young people’s knowledge, skills and expertise into policy dialogues and decision-making processes, and supports intergenerational exchange by fostering dialogue and collaboration between young people and more experienced actors in the sector. MYTF provides an open and inclusive space for capacity building and knowledge sharing, helping to unlock young people’s potential and amplify their voices, knowledge and expertise.
Vision
MYTF envisions a Mediterranean forest sector where young people are recognized as key stakeholders and agents of change and are meaningfully included in, and able to influence, policy dialogue, technical processes and decision-making.
- Young people’s knowledge, skills and innovation are integrated into policy dialogue and decision-making across the region.
- Youth-led initiatives are supported, and young people can access opportunities that enable them to contribute to sustainable, nature-positive forest and landscape outcomes.
- Engagement of young people is meaningful and substantive, with clear roles, transparent feedback, and opportunities to shape decisions rather than participate symbolically.
Join the Mediterranean Youth Task Force!
Do you want to be a part of this this network to propose, participate and co-lead initiatives and activities on Mediterranean forestry issues with other active and like-minded youth?
MYTF social media accounts
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