In partnership with the EYCG these institutions organized the capacity building workshop Youth: linking policy to participation, from November 23 to 27, 2007. The workshop was planned as a response to the needs articulated by EYCG members. But it also aimed to follow up the recommendations developed at the youth sessions of the fifth MENA Development Forum, held in April 2006 in Beirut. At this forum youth discussed obstacles and solutions for more youth participation in economic, social and political reforms in the region and the lack of knowledge on how to interact with decision makers was one of the key needs identified. To strengthen the exchange of local and regional experiences the workshop brought together members of Egyptian youth organizations and youth groups and youth representatives from youth organizations from Algeria, Jordan, Yemen and Djibouti. Objectives of the workshop: Provide youth organizations with knowledge on the conceptual framework and process of national policy development in general and on the potential of young people s participation in the process in particular. Provide skills and tools for channeling national youth participation in policy formulation, implementation and monitoring and thus consolidate youth representation in decision making committees. Provide knowledge on important concepts such as Human Rights, Good Governance and Asset-Based approach. Provide a platform for regional exchange on youth participation and its possibilities to contribute to development in the MENA region. Strengthen regional youth networks and their capacity to cooperate and exchange relevant information.