Egypt signs EU, UNDP-backed economic empowerment deals with 12 NGOs
Egypt’s Ministry of Social Solidarity signed cooperation agreements with 12 non-governmental organisations on Tuesday to launch the first phase of a European Union-funded programme designed to expand microfinance and income-generating opportunities for vulnerable families.
The programme will be implemented through the Rural and Environmental Industries Support Fund (REIS Fund), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and funded by the European Union.
The programme, funded by the European Union, will be implemented through the Rural and Environmental Industries Support Fund (REIS Fund) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Under the agreements, the participating NGOs will provide microfinance, training, technical assistance, project monitoring, and market access to help improve the sustainability of small businesses.
The initiative targets low-income households, particularly beneficiaries of Egypt’s Takaful and Karama cash-transfer programme, with the aim of helping them establish sustainable sources of income and improve their economic resilience.
Social Solidarity Minister Maya Morsy said the REIS Fund serves as the ministry’s executive arm for economic empowerment programmes, working with civil society organisations to expand access to microfinance and support income-generating projects.
She said the initiative forms part of the government’s broader efforts to link social protection programmes with economic inclusion by helping vulnerable households build sustainable livelihoods.
The ministry said the project builds on an earlier phase that financed 869 micro-enterprises across eight governorates, achieving a 100 per cent loan repayment rate. Women accounted for 90.5 per cent of beneficiaries, while 10.9 per cent were people with disabilities, according to the ministry.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Egypt Ghimar Deeb said the initiative reflects the partnership between the Egyptian government, the UNDP, and the European Union to strengthen economic empowerment and expand access to sustainable financial services for vulnerable groups.
The ministry said the REIS Fund will provide specialised training for participating NGOs in cooperation with Banque Misr and eFinance ahead of the programme’s rollout, with the aim of strengthening implementation capacity and improving service delivery to beneficiaries.
The 12 NGOs are:
- Coptic Evangelical Organisation for Social Services (CEOSS)
- Evangelical Association for Sustainable Development (EASD)
- Nahdet Beni Suef Foundation (NBNS)
- Rural Family Development Association
- Al-Shorouk Association for Rural Women Development
- The Egyptian Association for Development and Training
- Malak El Rahma Development Association
- New Bedaya Foundation
- Society Development Association in Sahel Selim
- Higher Horizons Association for Development and Environmental Service
- The Egyptian Association for Human and Environmental Development in Qanater El Khairiya
- Ali bin Abi Talib Association in Kafr Al-Dawwar
Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English