Youth Ambassadors for Raising Awareness of the Dangers of Illegal Immigration – Phase Two: Apply to Promote Safe Migration and Youth Empowerment

Overview of the Youth Ambassadors Programme – Phase Two

The Youth Ambassadors for Raising Awareness of the Dangers of Illegal Immigration – Phase Two programme is an initiative designed to engage young people in raising awareness about the dangers of irregular migration, promoting safe and legal migration pathways, and encouraging young people to explore sustainable alternatives in their communities.

The programme forms part of the second phase of the Youth Empowerment Project, implemented by the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons, chaired by the Cabinet, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Through the Youth Ambassadors initiative, selected participants are expected to help communicate accurate information about irregular migration, challenge misinformation, encourage informed decision-making, and promote opportunities that can help young people improve their economic and social circumstances without exposing themselves to the dangers associated with unsafe migration routes.

The initiative recognises the important role young people can play in influencing their peers, families, educational institutions, and communities. By equipping youth ambassadors with knowledge and encouraging them to propose practical awareness activities, the programme seeks to support a more informed discussion about migration, its risks, and the alternatives available to young people.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the official terms of reference, project details, and application requirements before completing the application form.

About the Youth Empowerment Project

The Youth Empowerment Project provides the broader context for Phase Two of the Youth Ambassadors Programme. Its stated focus, as reflected in the application form, includes raising awareness of irregular migration and trafficking in persons while promoting safe alternatives.

Irregular migration is a complex issue influenced by economic pressures, limited employment opportunities, misinformation, social expectations, family circumstances, and hopes for a better future. Some young people may consider unsafe migration routes because they believe that travelling abroad offers the quickest way to secure employment, support their families, or achieve financial independence. Others may be influenced by misleading accounts of successful journeys shared on social media or by people who conceal the dangers they encountered.

Addressing these challenges requires more than simply warning young people against irregular migration. Effective awareness initiatives must also provide reliable information, explain the distinction between safe and unsafe migration, and connect young people with credible opportunities for education, employment, entrepreneurship, skills development, and other forms of economic empowerment.

The Youth Ambassadors Programme offers a way for young people to contribute to this work by sharing information, participating in community engagement, and developing ideas for interventions that respond to the realities of their local communities.

Objectives of the Youth Ambassadors Programme

Based on the information in the application form, the programme centres on the following objectives.

1. Raise awareness of the dangers of irregular migration

One of the programme’s principal aims is to increase understanding of the risks associated with irregular migration. These risks may arise during the journey, at borders, or after arrival in a destination country.

Depending on the route and circumstances, individuals may face exploitation by smugglers, trafficking, physical injury, dangerous travel conditions, detention, deportation, financial loss, or psychological distress. Some may also become separated from family members or lose contact with their support networks.

Youth ambassadors can help make these risks understandable to their peers by sharing verified information and encouraging young people to examine migration claims critically before making important decisions.

2. Promote safe and legal migration alternatives

The programme also seeks to promote awareness of safe alternatives. Young people interested in opportunities abroad need access to reliable information about legitimate migration procedures, education pathways, employment requirements, and relevant documentation.

Safe migration information should be based on official and up-to-date sources rather than informal promises from unverified agents or social media personalities. Applicants should understand that legal migration requirements vary by country, purpose of travel, and individual circumstances.

By communicating accurate information, youth ambassadors can help their communities distinguish between legitimate opportunities and offers that may expose prospective migrants to fraud or exploitation.

3. Encourage informed decision-making among young people

A further aim is to help young people make informed decisions about their futures. This involves understanding the possible consequences of migration decisions, recognising misleading information, and comparing available pathways before committing money, documents, or personal information.

The programme’s application questions specifically ask prospective ambassadors to explain the motivations that may lead young people to consider irregular migration and how those motivations overlap. This suggests that applicants should be prepared to think about the economic, social, and personal factors that shape migration decisions rather than treating the issue as a simple matter of individual choice.

4. Encourage community-based awareness activities

The application form invites candidates to suggest activities and interventions for raising awareness of irregular migration. This gives applicants an opportunity to demonstrate how they would translate knowledge into practical community engagement.

Potential approaches could include school or university discussions, youth forums, community information sessions, digital awareness campaigns, peer education, and collaborations with relevant organisations. These are examples of possible proposals, not a confirmed list of activities required by the programme.

The most effective ideas are likely to be those that respond to local needs, use accessible language, reach the intended audience, and provide verifiable information.

5. Support youth economic empowerment

The application also asks candidates to suggest programmes and initiatives that could contribute to youth economic empowerment in their governorate and reduce irregular migration.

This question highlights the importance of considering the circumstances that influence migration decisions. Awareness campaigns can help young people understand the risks, but sustainable alternatives may also require access to employable skills, career guidance, entrepreneurship support, vocational training, and information about legitimate employment opportunities.

Applicants can strengthen their proposals by identifying specific challenges facing young people in their communities and suggesting realistic interventions that address those challenges.

Who Should Consider Applying?

The application form is designed for individuals interested in serving as youth ambassadors and contributing to awareness-raising activities related to irregular migration and safe alternatives.

Applicants are asked to provide their age, educational qualifications, field of study, languages, current employment status, place of residence, community involvement, and previous experience with migration-related initiatives. They must also explain their motivation for joining the programme and demonstrate their understanding of migration-related issues.

The form asks whether applicants can commit to the project period, which may extend to one year or longer depending on the project’s needs. Consequently, candidates should consider their availability and ability to participate over an extended period before applying.

The application form also includes a declaration confirming the accuracy of the information provided and the applicant’s willingness to comply with the project’s code of conduct, protection policies, and non-discrimination policies.

Applicants should consult the official terms of reference for the complete eligibility criteria, including any requirements relating to age, nationality, place of residence, education, or other conditions. The application form alone does not establish every eligibility requirement.

Application Requirements and Information to Prepare

The application form is organised into six main sections. Applicants should prepare their information carefully and answer the questions in their own words.

Section One: General Information

The first section collects applicants’ personal, educational, professional, and communication details. The form requests the following information:

• Full name: The applicant’s complete name.
• Age: Age in years at the time of application.
• Gender: The form provides male and female options.
• Phone number: A contact number through which the applicant can be reached.
• Email address: An active email address for correspondence.
• Governorate of residence: The governorate where the applicant lives.
• City or centre: The applicant’s city or administrative centre.
• Highest educational qualification obtained: Options include general or technical secondary education, a bachelor’s degree, postgraduate studies, or another qualification.
• Field of study: The applicant’s academic or professional specialisation, where applicable.
• Languages spoken: The languages the applicant can communicate in.
• Current employment: The applicant’s current job, if employed.
• Social media profile: A link to one social media account, which the form marks as optional.
• Source of information about the opportunity: Applicants indicate whether they learned about the programme through social media, the National Coordinating Committee or IOM pages, an ambassador from Phase One, their employer or educational institution, friends or family, or another source.
• Community or youth organisation involvement: Applicants indicate whether they currently participate in a community or youth organisation and provide details if applicable.
• Availability and commitment: Applicants confirm whether they can commit to the project period, which may extend to one year or longer depending on need.

Applicants should ensure that all required information is accurate and that their contact details are current. Those who have volunteered, participated in youth organisations, organised community activities, or worked on awareness campaigns can use the relevant sections to describe their experience honestly.

Section Two: Motivation and Proposed Awareness Activities

The second section explores applicants’ reasons for wanting to become ambassadors and their ideas for raising awareness.

Question 1: Why do you want to become an ambassador?

Applicants are asked to answer this question in approximately 200–300 words.

A strong response should explain the applicant’s personal motivation, interest in youth development, understanding of the risks of irregular migration, and willingness to help other young people make informed decisions.

Applicants may discuss relevant experiences, such as volunteering, community engagement, youth leadership, public communication, education, research, or previous awareness activities. However, they should only refer to experiences they have genuinely had.

The response should also explain how the applicant hopes to contribute to the programme. For example, a candidate might describe an interest in helping young people identify misinformation, understand legitimate migration procedures, or discover local education and employment opportunities.

Rather than relying on general statements about wanting to help, applicants should demonstrate that they understand the programme’s purpose and can explain why their participation would be valuable.

Question 2: What awareness activities or interventions would you suggest?

This question invites applicants to propose practical activities based on their experience and understanding of their communities.

Possible ideas include:

1. School and university awareness sessions: Organise discussions that explain irregular migration, the risks associated with unsafe routes, and the importance of verifying migration information.
2. Peer-to-peer education: Encourage trained youth ambassadors to communicate with young people in accessible language and create opportunities for open discussion.
3. Digital awareness campaigns: Share fact-based information through social media posts, short videos, interviews, infographics, and online discussions.
4. Community dialogues: Work with community leaders, youth groups, educators, and relevant organisations to discuss the reasons young people consider irregular migration and identify realistic alternatives.
5. Information-verification activities: Teach participants how to identify misleading claims, verify information through official sources, and recognise suspicious recruitment or travel offers.
6. Career and skills information sessions: Introduce young people to credible training programmes, career development resources, entrepreneurship initiatives, and legitimate employment opportunities.
7. Experience-sharing sessions: Where appropriate and with informed consent, facilitate discussions involving people with relevant migration experiences or expertise, while protecting participants’ privacy and dignity.

Applicants should not merely list activities. They should explain who the activities would target, how they could be implemented, what information would be communicated, and how their impact might be assessed.

Section Three: Previous Experience

Applicants are asked whether they have previously participated in events or initiatives related to migration or human mobility. If they have, they should describe their involvement.

Relevant experience may include participation in migration awareness campaigns, community education, youth advocacy, human rights initiatives, anti-trafficking activities, research, public discussions, or programmes addressing displacement and mobility.

Candidates without direct migration-related experience should answer honestly. They may describe relevant transferable experience, such as organising youth activities, volunteering, conducting community outreach, creating educational content, facilitating discussions, or participating in social development projects, where applicable.

The form does not state that every applicant must have previous migration-related experience. Applicants should therefore consult the official terms of reference before assuming that a particular experience is either compulsory or unnecessary.

Section Four: Measuring Knowledge of Irregular Migration

This section assesses applicants’ understanding of migration concepts, the reasons young people may consider irregular migration, the associated risks, misinformation, and available alternatives.

1. What is irregular migration, and how does it differ from legal and safe migration?

Applicants are asked to explain the distinction in approximately 120 words.

A well-developed answer should demonstrate an understanding that irregular migration involves crossing an international border or staying in a country in circumstances that do not comply with the applicable immigration rules. The precise circumstances depend on the laws and procedures of the countries involved.

Legal migration generally refers to movement carried out in accordance with the applicable entry, residence, and immigration requirements. Safe migration emphasises the protection, rights, security, and well-being of people throughout the migration process.

Applicants should recognise that legal status and safety are related but not identical concepts. A person may enter a country legally and still face exploitation or other dangers. Likewise, irregular status does not remove a person’s fundamental human rights.

The response should focus on explaining the concepts clearly and avoiding language that stereotypes migrants or treats every migration experience as the same.

2. What three motivations might lead young people to consider irregular migration, and how do they overlap?

The form requests an answer of approximately 150 words.

Applicants can consider several interconnected factors, including:

• Economic pressures: Unemployment, low wages, limited access to stable work, and the desire to support family members.
• Limited educational or career opportunities: Difficulties accessing training, higher education, professional development, or suitable employment.
• Social influence and expectations: Pressure from relatives or peers, success stories circulated online, and beliefs that living abroad guarantees financial success.

These motivations can overlap. For example, a young person who cannot find stable employment may feel pressure to support their family while also comparing their circumstances with those of friends who appear successful abroad. If social media presents an unrealistic picture of migration, the individual may underestimate the risks and believe that leaving irregularly is the only available route to a better future.

A thoughtful answer should explain these connections rather than treating each motivation as an isolated cause. It should also recognise that migration decisions are influenced by individual circumstances and wider economic and social conditions.

3. What risks may a person face during or after an irregular migration journey?

Applicants are asked to discuss physical, legal, psychological, and economic risks in approximately 150 words.

The response should demonstrate an understanding that risks may occur at different stages of the journey and can continue after arrival.

Physical risks may include dangerous transport, dehydration, exposure to extreme weather, injury, illness, violence, and unsafe travel conditions. The level of danger depends on the route, the people organising the journey, and the conditions encountered.

Legal risks may include detention, removal or deportation, difficulties establishing lawful residence, and complications with future immigration applications. The precise consequences depend on the laws and circumstances involved.

Psychological risks may include anxiety, fear, uncertainty, trauma, isolation, and distress caused by exploitation, dangerous experiences, or separation from family members.

Economic risks may include losing savings, borrowing money to finance a journey, falling into debt, being deceived by fraudulent agents, or becoming trapped in exploitative work.

Applicants should explain that the consequences are not limited to the journey itself. They can affect family relationships, future opportunities, financial stability, and long-term well-being.

4. Give two examples of misinformation about irregular migration and explain how to verify or correct them.

The form requests approximately 150 words.

Applicants should identify two plausible misleading claims and explain how they could be checked against reliable information.

For example, one misleading claim might be that everyone who reaches a particular country automatically receives legal residence or permission to work. Applicants can explain that immigration status and work rights depend on the applicable laws, visa conditions, and individual circumstances. Such claims should be checked through official government immigration websites or authorised agencies.

A second misleading claim might be that a person can guarantee a visa, job, or successful migration journey by paying an intermediary. Applicants can explain that no claim of guaranteed approval should be accepted without verification. Information should be checked through the relevant embassy, official immigration authority, legitimate employer, or other recognised source.

Applicants should distinguish between personal stories and verifiable facts. Social media posts, testimonials, and messages from friends may provide leads, but they do not necessarily establish that a claim is accurate or applies to everyone.

5. What safe alternatives can young people explore locally, and how can information remain reliable and up to date?

The application requests an answer of approximately 150 words.

Applicants should identify alternatives that are relevant to young people in their own communities. These may include vocational and technical training, accredited education programmes, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship support, career counselling, job-placement services, and legitimate employment opportunities.

Where suitable programmes exist, applicants may also discuss scholarships, professional certifications, digital skills training, business development support, or other pathways that can improve employability and income prospects. Any named programme should be verified before it is presented as currently available.

For young people who wish to migrate, alternatives can also include exploring legitimate study, work, family, or other migration pathways for which they may qualify. Applicants should not suggest that local opportunities are a universal substitute for migration; instead, they should explain how access to reliable information can broaden people’s choices.

To keep information accurate, youth ambassadors can consult official government websites, recognised training institutions, authorised recruitment channels, reputable organisations, and current programme announcements. They should check publication dates, eligibility conditions, application deadlines, and contact details, and correct or remove outdated information when necessary.

Section Five: The Message and the Motivation

This section asks applicants to communicate their priorities to decision-makers and propose practical initiatives that could strengthen youth economic empowerment in their governorate.

1. What message would you convey to decision-makers about irregular migration, its risks, and available alternatives?

This question gives applicants an opportunity to demonstrate critical thinking and their ability to communicate youth concerns constructively.

A strong response should recognise the dangers associated with irregular migration while also addressing the circumstances that can lead young people to consider it. It should encourage decision-makers to combine accurate public information with practical measures that expand young people’s opportunities.

Potential themes include improving access to career guidance, supporting vocational and technical training, creating pathways into decent work, strengthening youth entrepreneurship, improving access to reliable migration information, and addressing trafficking and exploitation.

Applicants may also argue for stronger collaboration between public institutions, educational organisations, civil society, employers, international organisations, and young people themselves.

The message should be specific and solution-oriented. Rather than simply calling for an end to irregular migration, candidates can explain how decision-makers could help young people make informed choices and access credible alternatives.

2. What programmes and initiatives could empower young people economically in your governorate and reduce irregular migration?

Applicants should propose initiatives that reflect the circumstances and needs of the communities in which they live.

Possible proposals include:

1. Vocational and technical skills development: Provide training in areas linked to real employment demand and connect participants with apprenticeships or employers.
2. Entrepreneurship and small-business support: Offer business training, mentoring, financial literacy education, and information about legitimate funding opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
3. Career guidance and employment services: Establish accessible information sessions that help young people prepare CVs, develop interview skills, identify credible vacancies, and understand recruitment requirements.
4. Digital and professional skills training: Help young people develop skills that may improve their employability, including digital literacy, communication, and relevant technical competencies.
5. Youth opportunity information platforms: Share verified information about scholarships, training programmes, internships, jobs, and entrepreneurship opportunities through accessible online and community channels.
6. Partnerships with employers and educational institutions: Encourage collaborations that connect young people with practical training, work experience, mentoring, and employment pathways.
7. Community-based migration information services: Provide reliable information about migration procedures, the risks of irregular routes, the warning signs of trafficking, and legitimate options for people considering travel abroad.
8. Youth-led community initiatives: Support young people in identifying local economic challenges and developing practical projects that respond to them.

To make their proposals stronger, applicants should identify the intended beneficiaries, explain how the initiative would operate, consider potential partners, and describe how success could be measured. Possible indicators include the number of young people reached, participants completing training, people connected to verified opportunities, and participants reporting improved knowledge of migration risks and legal pathways.

Applicants should avoid claiming that one initiative can eliminate irregular migration. A more credible proposal explains how specific interventions could contribute to better information, improved economic opportunities, and more informed decision-making.

Section Six: Declarations and Required Document

The final section contains a declaration and a requirement to upload a résumé.

Code of conduct, protection, and non-discrimination

Applicants must confirm that the information they provide is accurate and that they are willing to comply with the project’s code of conduct, protection policies, and non-discrimination policies.

Before agreeing, applicants should read the declaration carefully and ensure they understand the commitments involved. These requirements are particularly relevant to a programme that may involve communicating with young people and communities about sensitive personal experiences.

Ambassadors should approach migration-related discussions respectfully, avoid stigmatising people who have migrated or considered migration, protect confidential information, and communicate responsibly.

Curriculum vitae or résumé

The application form requests an uploaded résumé and indicates that one supported file can be submitted, with a maximum file size of 100 MB.

Applicants should prepare an up-to-date résumé that accurately presents their education, employment, volunteering, community involvement, communication skills, leadership experience, and relevant training.

Experience in youth engagement, public speaking, digital communication, community outreach, research, advocacy, or organising events may be relevant where the applicant has genuinely undertaken such activities.

Applicants should follow the form’s upload instructions and ensure that the document is readable and complete before submitting it.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

Although the application form does not provide a scoring rubric, applicants can improve the clarity and quality of their responses by following these recommendations.

1. Read the official terms of reference before applying

The linked terms of reference should be treated as the main source for the programme’s complete requirements. Review the eligibility criteria, expected responsibilities, duration, selection arrangements, and any other instructions before preparing the application.

2. Answer in your own words

The form explicitly asks applicants to answer questions carefully and in their own words. Responses should reflect the candidate’s actual understanding, motivation, and experience.

Applicants should avoid copying generic statements or making claims they cannot support. Personal examples and practical ideas can make answers more convincing when they are relevant and truthful.

3. Follow the requested word limits

The form specifies word limits for several questions:

• Motivation for becoming an ambassador: 200–300 words.
• Definition of irregular migration and the difference between irregular and legal or safe migration: approximately 120 words.
• Motivations for irregular migration: approximately 150 words.
• Risks during or after the journey: approximately 150 words.
• Misinformation and verification: approximately 150 words.
• Safe alternatives and reliable information: approximately 150 words.

For questions without a stated word limit in the supplied form, applicants should provide a focused response that fully answers the question.

4. Demonstrate practical awareness of the issue

Applicants should show that they understand both the risks of irregular migration and the factors that may influence young people to consider it.

A balanced application acknowledges the role of economic pressure, limited opportunities, social influence, and misinformation while explaining how reliable information and practical alternatives can support better decisions.

5. Propose realistic activities

Awareness proposals should be feasible for the intended community. Applicants can explain how they would reach their audience, what information they would share, which organisations could support the activity, and how they would determine whether the activity had been effective.

6. Use reliable information

Migration laws, visa requirements, recruitment procedures, and programme opportunities can change. Applicants should therefore use official and current sources when discussing legal migration options, employment opportunities, or education pathways.

They should avoid promising that a particular route will guarantee entry, residence, employment, or financial success.

7. Prepare an accurate résumé

The résumé should be consistent with the information entered in the application form. Applicants should review spelling, dates, contact details, education history, and employment or volunteering experience before uploading it.

8. Consider the time commitment

The application form states that the project period may extend to one year or longer, depending on need. Applicants should consider whether they can sustain their participation if selected.

9. Review the completed application before submission

Before submitting, candidates should confirm that all required fields have been completed, their answers address the questions asked, their résumé is attached, and their declarations are accurate.

Deadline and Application Process

Application deadline: The application form provided does not state a closing date. Applicants should consult the official terms of reference and the programme’s official communication channels to confirm whether a deadline has been announced.

How to apply:

1. Read the official terms of reference and project details: CLICK HERE TO APPLY
2. Review the eligibility requirements and confirm that you meet the conditions.
3. Prepare your personal, educational, professional, and community involvement information.
4. Draft thoughtful answers to the motivation, awareness activity, and knowledge-assessment questions.
5. Prepare your résumé in a supported file format.
6. Complete the application form and upload the required document.
7. Review all information and declarations before submitting.

The supplied application text does not include a separate direct link to the Google Form itself. Prospective applicants should access the application through the programme’s official announcement or relevant official channel and verify that they are using the correct form.

Why Youth Awareness and Empowerment Matter

Young people need reliable information when making decisions that can affect their safety, livelihoods, families, and future opportunities. Migration can be a legitimate pathway for education, employment, family reunification, and other purposes, but irregular routes can expose individuals to serious dangers.

Effective awareness work should therefore do more than communicate risks. It should help young people assess claims, recognise exploitation, understand the relevant legal requirements, and discover realistic opportunities for education, skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship.

Youth ambassadors can contribute by communicating responsibly, listening to the concerns of their peers, sharing verified information, and connecting communities with credible sources of support. Their role can be particularly valuable when awareness activities are designed around local circumstances and informed by the experiences and questions of young people themselves.

At the same time, awareness campaigns are most constructive when they avoid blaming or stigmatising migrants. People may consider irregular migration for many different reasons, and their circumstances deserve to be understood with care. Programmes that combine accurate information with practical empowerment initiatives can help broaden the choices available to young people.

Click HERE for more information

Conclusion

The Youth Ambassadors for Raising Awareness of the Dangers of Illegal Immigration – Phase Two programme offers an opportunity for interested young people to contribute to community awareness, promote safe migration information, challenge misinformation, and develop ideas that support youth empowerment. The initiative is part of the second phase of the Youth Empowerment Project associated with the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration.

Applicants should be prepared to explain their motivation, demonstrate their understanding of irregular migration, propose practical awareness activities, and identify initiatives that could improve economic opportunities for young people in their communities. They should also be ready to commit to a project period that may extend to a year or longer, subject to the programme’s needs.

Anyone interested in applying should first consult the official terms of reference to verify eligibility, selection requirements, the application procedure, and the deadline. By preparing accurate information, thoughtful responses, and a clear résumé, prospective applicants can present their experience and ideas effectively while demonstrating a responsible commitment to youth awareness and empowerment.

Discover more job opportunities HERE