Egypt’s Ministry of Planning and Economic Development follows up the executive steps to enhance the participation of civil society in the "Decent Life" initiative

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development held recently a video conference workshop on the executive steps for the participation of some civil society institutions working in the field of comprehensive development in the national project to upgrade the Egyptian countryside, "Decent Life".

The society institutions include the "Sawiris" Foundation for Social Development and the Community Service and Environmental Development Sector at Ain Shams University.During the workshop, Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, confirmed, during her speech delivered on her behalf by Dr. Jamil Helmy, assistant minister of planning and economic development and the general supervisor of the initiative, the ministry’s keenness to maximize the role of civil society and enhance cooperation with development partners from organizations and openness to all parties to the development process.The General Supervisor of the "Decent Life" at the Ministry of Planning described the project as the largest in the history of the Egyptian state, which is intended to make a qualitative leap in the living conditions of the rural population, as 58% of the Egyptian population benefits from it.He pointed out that for the first time, craft complexes will be established to take advantage of the villages’ sons’ skills as well as afford small and microloans to provide job opportunities, enhance entrepreneurship capabilities, and empower young men and girls.The workshop reviewed the areas of joint work and coordination of efforts with the "Sawiris" Foundation for Social Development, and the Community Service and Environmental Development Affairs Sector at Ain Shams University, regarding proposed development interventions, based on indicators for monitoring the developing situation in villages, especially about the economic and social empowerment of village residents.


The workshop witnessed the participation of  Dr. Jihan Ragab, Advisor to the Vice President of Ain Shams University for Community Service and Environmental Development Affairs, and Dr. Nahid Yousry, Director of the Social Empowerment Sector, Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, and Prof. Nevin Khalifa, Director of the Communications and Partnerships Development Unit at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development.