The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security is a platform that brings together youth-led organizations from the region to dialogue, share experiences, take collective action and connect with other stakeholders at national and international levels. Created in 2020, the Coalition aims to bridge the gap between the global context related to Youth, Peace and Security agenda and the region, and to push the agenda in the local context.
About Us
MENA4YPS
We operate across 16 MENA countries, engaging a network of 120 YPS practitioners and 40 CSO members. These countries are, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco,, Sudan and Tunisia. This wide-ranging reach allows us to address diverse regional challenges while tailoring our approach to meet the unique needs of each community.
Our approach is rooted in empowering young leaders to take ownership of peace and security initiatives across the MENA region. We focus on capacity building, equipping youth with the tools and skills needed to implement the YPS agenda, and fostering partnerships between local actors and international stakeholders. Advocacy is at the heart of our work, amplifying youth voices in decision-making spaces and promoting community-driven solutions. However, we face challenges such as limited awareness of the YPS agenda, lack of resources, regional divisions, and restricted civic space . To overcome these, we organize awareness campaigns, secure funding through strategic partnerships, provide safe spaces for dialogue; knowledge-sharing ,reflecting our continued commitment to resilience, innovation, and creating sustainable change in the region.
Vision
We strive for a peaceful world where young people and all rights holders in all their diversity are equals in decision-making.
Mission
Enhance the meaningful participation of youth in peace and security processes across the MENA region by empowering them with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities needed for leadership. Through capacity building, advocacy, and strategic partnerships, we amplify youth voices, foster collaboration, and drive sustainable and inclusive peacebuilding efforts. Our efforts are rooted in the five core pillars of the Youth, Peace, and Security agenda: participation, protection, prevention, partnership, and reintegration.
Our Story
By 2016, around 87 million people in the MENA region—one-third of the population—were affected by war and conflict, with youth disproportionately impacted. Systemic issues such as injustice, corruption, and failed governance exacerbated these challenges, making the region a difficult environment for young peacebuilders. Despite risks to their safety and freedoms, youth organizations championed peaceful, inclusive, and democratic change.
In response, youth leaders from the region collaborated through events organized by institutions like the Council of Europe and UNOY. These discussions highlighted the need for collective action, stronger partnerships, and resource mobilization. Their efforts culminated in the official launch of the MENA Coalition on Youth, Peace, and Security in September 2020, advancing the Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda and empowering youth to drive meaningful change.
Objectives
Increase and advance the YPS agenda in the MENA region
01
Coordinate and facilitate meaningful youth engagements on YPS in the MENA region
02
Promote meaningful youth participation in the YPS agenda
03
Building bridges of cooperation and partnership between international, regional and national youth network
04
Partners
Values & Principles
The MENA Coalition on YPS and its members commit to:
- Active youth participation and leadership in the coalition.
- Transparency, cooperation and complementarity in joint work and coordination of efforts , ensuring the comprehensive representation of organizations and youth representatives, and taking into account gender balance in membership.
- A comprehensive and inclusive approach to membership selection and working methodology.
- The principle of rotation in all the roles and responsibilities of the regional coalition.
- Planning and implementation based on a resource-based approach and a needs-based approach, based on the strengths and capabilities of organizations and individuals who are members of the coalition.
