Rule of Law Youth Network
The Rule of Law Youth Network (RoLYN) emerged as a significant outcome of the 29th edition of the Lisbon Forum, themed "Human Rights, Environment, and Economic Crimes: Youth at the forefront".
RoLYN aims to equip youth organisations with tools to delve deeper into Rule of Law issues, enabling them to actively participate in civic life, foster a culture of accountability and responsibility, and cultivate opportunities for socio-economic progress. By instilling a sense of ownership and responsibility among youth, RoLYN seeks to establish a network of well-informed and engaged young representatives who, through their respective organisations, will continue advocating for the Rule of Law within their communities.
RoLYN operates in two-year cycles, during which youth representatives from the North-South Centre's (NSC) European member States, the Southern Mediterranean, and Sub-Saharan Africa are selected through a public call. These representatives engage in a series of capacity-building activities followed by opportunities for seed-funding grants to develop projects within their communities.
The inaugural cycle, spanning 2024-2025, centers on exploring the interconnections between corruption and environmental degradation. The primary objectives include empowering youth representatives to positively influence anti-corruption efforts and advocating for and participating in anti-corruption reforms aimed at safeguarding the environment.
Launch conference (possibility to follow online)
4 March 2024 (9:30am-1pm CET), Gammarth, Tunisia
The launch conference initiates a discussion featuring institutional representatives, aimed at exploring the role of young people in promoting a culture of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. The conference will also focus on their efforts in combating corruption to protect the environment. The launch event programme benefits form the insights from previous connected events : the Lisbon Forum 2023 “Human Rights, Environment and Economic Crimes: Youth at the forefront” and the Seminar on "Enhancing the participation of young human rights defenders for peace and climate" of the University on Youth and Development 2023.
Working languages are English and Arabic with simultaneous interpreting.
If you are interested to follow online, please write to [email protected]
First training
4-7 March 2024, Gammarth, Tunisia
The first training session focuses on the cooperation between the Council of Europe and non-European countries, as well as terminology related to the anti-corruption concept. With insights from experts, the training will delve into specific aspects of the connections between environmental protection and corruption. This initial training will establish common objectives and expectations.
Training part of the African University on Youth and Development
June 2024, Cabo Verde
The RoLYN participants will take part in a 5 days training during the bi-annual African University on Youth and Development.
Training part of the University on Youth and Development
16-22 September 2024, Mollina, Spain
The RoLYN participants will take part in 5 days training during the annual University on Youth and Development.
World Forum for Democracy
November, Strasbourg, France
The participants will be invited to take part in the annual World Forum for Democracy.
Increase participants’ awareness and build their capacities to act as agent of changes, based on Council of Europe standards and tools.
Support the development of initiatives of the network to act as multipliers in the dissemination of acquired capacities and skills in their communities.
Provide a space for experience sharing and networking, creating a platform where participants can exchange insights, knowledge, and ideas.
Following an extensive selection process of over a hundred applications, the RoLYN Network now comprises a cohort of 20 young individuals representatives of youth organisations, youth-led initiatives, associations and/or networks, working on issues related to youth participation, good governance, anticorruption and/or protection of environment at local, national, or international level.
The selected youth organisations are :
Act4Impact
LEBANON
Rayan Mahfouz
Rayan is a board member at Act4Impact and currently works with peacebuilding, human rights advocacy, and accessible and innovative volunteerism. He holds an MA in Political Economy. His passion for youth empowerment and SDGs advocacy has brought him to work closely with many young individuals in Lebanon.
Association ALGeunesse
ALGERIA
Youssra Farah Boukhatem
Youssra is a representative of the Association ALGeunesse. He holds an MA in Translation and Interpretation and considers communication to be his strong suit. He believes in youth involvement within anti-corruption and environmental protection to raise awareness on these important issues.
Children and Young People Living for Peace (CYPLP)
NIGERIA
Fatima Adam
Fatima is a Youth Program Team Leader at the Children and Young People Living for Peace, an NGO working towards meaningful youth participation within human rights, democracy, and rule of law. She describes herself as an activist, artist, poetess, and motivational speaker. Her motivation lies in amplifying human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in her community and beyond.
Diaries of the Ocean (DOTO)
LEBANON
Ninar Mhanna
Ninar is a Project Officer for Diaries of the Ocean specialised in environmental law with considerable experience in the legal and humanitarian sectors. She holds an MA in International Business Law and is skilled in research, advocacy, and networking. Her passion lies in leveraging expertise for positive impact and change.
Emam Foundation for Development and Culture
EGYPT
Sherif Elrefaey
Sherif is the representative of the Emam Foundation for Development and Culture. He holds an MA in International Relations and is an accomplished climate policy researcher. His dedication to the climate change cause can be seen through his engagement in international conferences, influential presence among esteemed NGOs, and impactful environmental advocacy.
EU Jeel Connect
EGYPT
Nour Hazem Mohamed
Nour is an active member of many international and regional organisations – including EU Jeel Connect – and is an R&D Coordinator at Banlastic Egypt. A political science graduate with considerable experience in climate advocacy, she advocates for gender responsive environmental policies and projects to ensure a just green transition.
Jordanian Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission
JORDAN
Ishraq Afaneh
Ishraq is an Assistant Investigator at the Jordanian Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission. He has previous experience as a lawyer and holds an MA in Money Laundering. He is interested in human rights and corruption.
Madarat Center for community development
PALESTINE*
Abed Al Ghani Takruri
Abed is a co-founder of the Madarat Center for community development, along with several other institutions. As youth activist and influential leader, he is committed to fostering initiatives concerning youth empowerment and change.
Mediterranean Forum for Youth (FOMEJE)
MOROCCO
Imane Lahrich
Imane is the General Secretary at Mediterranean Forum for Youth and Head of the Research Valorisation Department at the Policy Center for the New South. She holds a BA in Political Science and an MA in Political Studies. Her previous work focused on security and development projects, and international development and the rule of law in the MENA region.
Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development - MYF
EGYPT
Youssef Aroog
Youssef is the founder of the Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development and a Mediterranean civil activist. A recipient of the King Hamad SDGs Award and the IIA-UNAOC/MBW Award, his work addresses democratic backsliding and erosion of the rule of law particularly in the Euromed region.
Association for Sustainable Development
LIBYA
Ahmed Ahmid
Ahmed is the Program Officer of the National association for sustainable development, the Head of the Youth Institutions Department at the Ministry of Youth, and a Teacher at the Samno Institute for Engineering Professions. He holds a postgraduate degree and specialises in engineering project management. He is involved in several civil society organisations as an activist, trainer, and dialogue facilitator.
National Youth Council of Romania (CTR)
ROMANIA
Larisa Nicoleta Bejan
Larisa is the International Affairs Vice President of the National Youth Council of Romania and Youth Delegate to the European Youth Forum (EYF). A current student of diplomacy, law, and international relations and human rights activist, she believes in actively seizing every opportunity to drive positive change within the global community.
National Youth Forum
BULGARIA
Andreas Petkov
Andreas is the International Affairs Vice President of the National Youth Forum and Youth Delegate of the European Youth Forum for Bulgaria. A graduate in EU and Comparative Law and current student of Bulgarian law at Sofia University, he strives to contribute towards fair and impartial legal systems.
Ouest Journal
ALGERIA
Ikram Yassamine Mekidiche
Ikram is a journalist at Ouest-Info Journal. She has an academic background in law, media, communications, and public relations. As a multilingual lawyer and journalist deeply involved in civil society, her focus is on women’s empowerment and global citizenship as ways to make a positive societal impact.
Pay No Bribe Animators (PaNBA)
SIERRA LEONE
Alice Mondeh
Alice is an Accountability Officer for the Pay No Bribe Animators in Sierra Leone. Her organisation works towards curbing corruption and other social injustices in the country’s rural communities.
Rural-Urban Social Empowerment Program (RUSEP)
KENYA
Berit Lolo
Berit is the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for the Rural-Urban Social Empowerment Program, which protects the rights of marginalised groups in Kenya. Through her role, she currently addresses human development, security, and inclusion – with a focus on the nexus between corruption and environmental degradation.
Social Accountability Association
TUNISIA
Oussama Riahi
Oussama is the President of the Social Accountability Association, an NGO aiming to establish social accountability in Tunisia. He holds a degree in industrial management engineering and considerable experience in civic participation. A committed and dynamic project manager, he focuses on the interplay between corruption and environmental degradation.
Tunisian Society for Environment and Nature
TUNISIA
Maha Missaoui
Maha is the Secretary General of the Tunisian Association for Environment and Nature, the Vice President of the Youth Forum Against Climate Change, and a UNHCR Pre-Registration Assistant. She holds an LLM degree and firmly believes in the need to uphold rights, combat corruption, and promote environmental awareness.
Youth and Environment Europe
CYPRUS
Alexandros Kassapis
Alexandros currently works for Youth and Environment Europe, an independent network of youth NGOs in Europe. A graduate student, he lives in the Netherlands where he focuses on environmental law and the protection of biodiversity.
Youth for Climate Morocco
MOROCCO
Soulaimane Oumou
Soulamaine is an active member of Youth for Climate Morocco. He is also currently doing his PhD in Hydrogeology and Water Quality, and already holds an MA in Water and Environmental Management. His work focuses on communication management, where he is deeply committed to youth empowerment and advocates for urgent climate action globally.
North-South Centre of the Council of Europe
(Main Facebook Page) I (Youth cooperation Facebook page) I 
South Programme
I
The RoLYN builds on the South Programme V priorities and exemplifies the new strategy of the North-South Centre for 2024-2027, which aims to foster stronger synergies with the Council of Europe's Neighbourhood Policy in the Southern Mediterranean that continues to advance the creation of a common legal space between Europe and the Southern Mediterranean. The North-South Centre adds value by raising awareness among civil society, notably young people, of the CoE's values and standards, as a means to ensure the sustainability of democratic reforms. The event is organised in the framework of project PEACE YP: Promoting Euro-Africa Cooperation to Enhance Youth Participation for Peace, financed by the governments of Malta, Portugal, and Spain, with the support of the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe “Protecting human rights, the rule of law and democracy through shared standards in the Southern Mediterranean” (South Programme V), co-financed by both organisations and implemented by the Council of Europe.
* This designation shall not be construed as a designation of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of Council of Europe member States on this issue.