24 universities selected to join the EUSEEDS project
and strengthen young people’s employability and digital skills
Beirut, January 23, 2026 The Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) announcesthe selection of the universities benefiting from the EUSEEDS project (Enable, Upgrade and Spread Employability, Entrepreneurship and Digital Skills), co-funded by the EuropeanUnion under the Interreg NEXT MED Programme.
Implemented in five Eastern Mediterranean countries (Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine), the EUSEEDS project aims to develop young people’s employability, entrepreneurship, and digital skills, particularly in contexts marked by significant socio-economic challenges.
The project includes the creation or revitalization of university-based employability and digital skills centers, with the objective of improving the professional integration of students, young graduates, and vulnerable groups.
Following a call for applications launched in October 2025 to eligible universities in Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine, 24 institutions were selected to benefit from the project.
Selected universities
In Cyprus, Alexander College (Larnaca) and the Cyprus University of Technology(Limassol) were selected.
In Egypt, the project will benefit Suez Canal University (Ismailia), Alexandria University(Alexandria), Ain Shams University (Abbassiya, Cairo), Al-Azhar University (Nasr City, Cairo), Damanhour University (Damanhour – Beheira), as well as Mansoura University(Dakahlia).
In Jordan, the selected universities are Al-Bayt University (Mafraq), Jordan University of Science and Technology (Irbid), Al-Hussein Bin Talal University (Ma’an), the University of Jordan (Aqaba), and the Hashemite University (Zarqa).
In Lebanon, the EUSEEDS project will be implemented at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (Zahlé), Phoenicia University (Zahrani), the Higher Institute of Applied and Social Sciences – Cnam Lebanon (Tripoli and Baalbeck), Beirut Arab University (Beirut), and Notre Dame University–Louaizé (Barsa, Koura and Deir El Qamar).
In Palestine, the selected institutions are Al-Quds Open University (Jenin), Bethlehem University (Bethlehem), Al-Aqsa University (Gaza), Hebron University (Hebron), Al-Quds University (Abu Dis, Jerusalem), as well as An-Najah National University (Nablus).
A rigorous selection process
Each application was assessed based on the project’s expected impact, the organizationalcapacity and institutional commitment of the universities, as well as their ability to ensure the sustainability of the centers and to integrate the initiative into their overall strategy. The results were analyzed by country, taking into account the number and quality of applications, with particular attention paid to institutions located in areas facing major social challenges.
Through this selection, AUF and its partners reaffirm their commitment to inclusive, innovative higher education closely aligned with the socio-economic needs of the countries concerned.
AUF and its partners are now initiating support for these universities, as well as the capacitybuilding and development of activities within their centers.
About EUSEEDS
AUF Middle East is the lead partner of the EUSEEDS project, co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, with a budget of nearly €2.5 million out of a total of approximately €2.8 million (89%).
The project is implemented by a consortium of seven partners across six countries, including four regional partners (Enrootin Egypt; Jordan Youth Innovation Forum in Jordan; Forward Mena in Lebanon; Palestine Information and Communication Technology Incubator in Palestine) and two European partners (Center for Social Innovation in Cyprus and Aix-Marseille University in France).
Useful links:
www.interregnextmed.eu/projects/euseeds
