ARLEM Award 2026 – Applications Now Open for Young Entrepreneurs in the Mediterranean

The ARLEM Award – Young Local Entrepreneurship in the Mediterranean 2026 is now open for applications, recognizing outstanding young entrepreneurs who are contributing to local development and economic growth across the Mediterranean region.

The award is organized by the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM), with the support of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), and highlights innovative businesses that create impact within their communities while being supported by local or regional authorities.

About the Award

Now in its 8th edition, the ARLEM Award aims to:

• Recognize innovative and impactful youth-led enterprises

• Showcase successful entrepreneurship stories across the Mediterranean

• Promote job creation, social progress, and local development

• Strengthen collaboration between entrepreneurs and local public institutions

Who Can Apply

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be under 36 years old

• Be the owner of a registered business operating for at least 3 years

• Be based in one of the Mediterranean partner countries

• Demonstrate clear impact, including:

  • Job creation

  • Community engagement

  • Innovation and business growth

• Show evidence of support from local or regional authorities

👉 All sectors are eligible — what matters most is your impact and contribution.

Why Apply

Selected applicants will benefit from:

• Regional recognition for their entrepreneurial achievements

• Visibility among Mediterranean and international stakeholders

• Opportunity to showcase their business as a successful model of local impact

• Engagement with a network of public institutions and ecosystem actors

For more information, please check this link.