Bridging the Gap

ernesto — Sun, 20 May 2007 23:37:43 -0700

Communities in rural and sub-urban areas are the hearth of sustainable development. However poverty, marginalization and lack of appropriate cultural and economic tools, hinders their members the way of change. That is why our action aims to support community development and grass-root associations, building on already existing capacities and available human and physical resources. Therfore, the services offered by the local educational centres will be improved and enhanced as well as the job orientation services and the socio-cultural activities. Besides, the improvement of women living conditions through gender awareness programs – for both male and female – and income-generating activities remains one of our major objectives.

Through our action we aim to encourage local development leaders and workers to pursue their aims in all economic, social and cultural sectors and will promote their participation to decision-making processes, namely sustainability, social networking, capacity of facing new challenges and raised awareness. Because we believe that local communities represent the main potential pivot of a real and sustainable democratisation process which in Egypt should be achieved through a decentralisation of the system of governance induced by the rise of citizenship awareness and competencies which are in turn the expression of a strong cultural and economic improvement.

South Sinai

ernesto — Tue, 29 May 2007 04:13:33 -0700

The Sinai region, with its beautiful natural landscapes and its reach cultural and religious history, has been inhabited since 1500 years by the Bedouin tribes who have been forced in the last two decades to face a lot of dramatic changes related to the fast tourist exploitation of the Sinai coasts. Besides the dangerous environmental pressure, very little of the richness and the resources coming from the internal and international tourism flows, benefits the local communities. Moreover, new Bedouin generations are forgetting their cultural heritage, loosing a potential and sustainable source of income. Our project aims to sustain the socio-economic development of local communities in South Sinai, linking marginalized groups from the Bedouin villages to national and international Fair Trade and eco-tourist markets. In doing that we aim to increase natural resources management, and best practices of agriculture as well as protecting the natural and cultural Bedouin environment through the enhancement of intercultural exchanges, and the increasing of sustainable community-based solid waste and water management. Our efforts will be focused also on women in order to enhance their income-generating opportunities based on traditional handicrafts. Indeed, we believe that only by preserving and revitalising their cultural heritage, namely their identity, reach a real economic and cultural independence.

JOC - Job Opportunities Creation

ernesto — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 06:05:38 -0700

Poverty in Egypt represents a serious social, economic and political problem. In spite, or perhaps because, of the economic liberalization and structural adjustment policies that aim at sustainable economic growth and increased employment, poverty remains a widespread phenomenon that increases over time.

Poverty in Egypt, although it is wide-spread every where, it is more concentrated in Upper Egypt than in Lower Egypt, in rural areas than in urban ones, among women than among men. Therefore, small farmer's households living in rural areas in Upper Egypt, particularly female members, are having the greatest level of deprivation.

It was in Minia, - a mainly rural area - that the final battles of the Islamist insurgency took place in 1997 and 1998 before security was restored to Upper Egypt. The province, quiet for the past two years, is now slowly dragging itself out of the economic devastation wreaked by the protracted campaigns. Under a vigorous governor and with the cooperation of local development councils and aid agencies, Minia is now poised for a comeback – though many problems remain…

In this scenario job opportunity creation is proving to be a major need for Minia population. JOC program aims to create job opportunities by linking unemployed population with the labor market through an integrated structure composed by a Professional and Vocational Training Center (PVTC), an Employment and Information Center and a Micro Credit Programme which covers the most market-demanded professions and vocations. Consequently, people can start to move their first steps in the labor market with a deeper understanding of the new regional economic environment, provided with a range of new tools, namely trainings, loans, consultants’ support, database and website, which enable them to run and manage small independent businesses or to obtain sustainable jobs .

Shaping the Next Generation

ernesto — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 07:33:01 -0700

Siwa is perhaps the most beautiful and unusual of the five oases that dot the vast Egyptian Western Desert. Located 300 km south west of the Mediterranean and the port city of Marsa Matrouh, Siwa is a fertile depression that enjoys a unique natural environment. It combines lush cultivated areas full of date palms, olives and fruits, and natural vegetation with stark desert landscapes.

Siwans have lived in extreme isolation from the outside world over long periods of their history till recent developments, such as the introduction of electricity in the late nineties, the improvements in the road network linking Siwa with Marsa Matruh and other parts of Egypt and, the most important, the massive investments made by national and international companies – included the construction of an airport – in the tourism sector aiming to transform Siwa in a new “Sharm el Sheikh of the Desert”.

This new developments, leaded Siwa on the brink of tremendous transformation, socially, economically and environmentally. The challenges the oasis currently faces include the transition from rural to urban patterns of settlement and social interaction, changes in economic activities and transactions, the negative impact of human behavior on the surrounding environment, and the lack of control over the nature and pace of development. However, alternative development initiatives in Siwa can only be effective if they take into account the local context in designing solutions. If Siwa’s new generation is to respond effectively to the current and future challenges faced by the oasis, emphasis will need to be placed on enhancing understanding of the linkages between health awareness, environmental protection and social development.

In this framework COSPE and AAE aim at improving the quality of education in Siwa and provide Siwa students, teachers and parents’ councils with the tools to become active participants in the sustainable development of the oasis.

Abu el Nomros

ernesto — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 00:30:50 -0700

Communities in rural and sub-urban areas are often marginalized and many needs of their members don't meet an appropriate answer.

COSPE EGYPT supports local community development and believes that working with Community Development Associations (CDAs) is a successful way to build on already existing capacities and available resources. This encourages local development workers to pursue their aims in the economic, cultural, political and social sectors and promotes their participation to decision-making processes: that means sustainability, networking, capacity of facing new challenges with a raised awareness.

In this framework COSPE EGYPT, supports and strengthens the social, cultural and training activities already started by the CDA of Abu El Nomros, a village of the south-western Cairo outskirts.

The action is focused on two main work's spheres: the rehabilitation and reorganization of the Professional Training Center managed by the CDA, and the promotion of social and cultural activities addressed to the youth and women.

The renovation of the CDA equipments and the introduction of new technology , promoting a proactive approach to multimedia comprehension and expression, proved to be major tools for the achievement of our goals.

Trainings with highly qualified professionals have been the other main tool for the improvement of pre-primary staff as for the support of integrated income generating and employability activities . This strategy aims to face unemployment, poverty and marginalization of the most vulnerable population sectors, as women and youth, improving at the same time the already present resources.

The project is also committed to protect and improve environmental conditions in the area . With this aim, specially tailored activities have been carried out both to impact directly the prominent problems in Abu el Nomros and to raise awareness on several issues such as water pollution, waste management, agricultural practices and health.

Community Crafts

ernesto — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 06:03:38 -0700

Handicraft Activities can contribute to strengthen rural and semi-urban communities, addressing the needs of thousands of people that do not have access to market or alternative income sources. The Project aims to alleviate poverty among craft producers by facilitating their access to Fair Trade services and expanding their existing markets. Fostering training in the field of production management and production process, pricing, record keeping and participation in decision making process, the Project enables the artisans to improve their production skills thus ensuring a good quality of products, enforces their participation in the production management and develops their financial independence, preserving their cultural heritage and identity. In collaboration with North South Consultants Exchange and Egypt Craft Center/Fair Trade Egypt, COSPE guarantees the Fair Trade ethical principles' respect that allows a safe and healthy working environment, responsible methods of productions, conscientious environmental practices and fair prices as a result of transparent management and commercial relations. Thanks to the fact that most handicraft activities can be carried out at the household or the community level, a large majority of producers are women. This aspect contributes to trigger processes of socio-economic awareness and independence for women and facilitates increased access to better education and healthcare services for children, hence improving their quality of life.

Children at Risk

ernesto — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 01:32:41 -0700

The population of Egypt is around 73 million and the average percentage of people with disabilities is 10% that means we have around 7 million disabled people in Egypt, and although the government has placed a high priority on disability, current facilities only cover about 10% of the total number of disabled Egyptians. Among children of Egypt disability constitutes a major problem and has health, economic and social consequences. According to data available, more than 5% of children have significant disabilities. It is estimated that not more than 2% of the children with a disability get the services they need.

Our project aims to empower children with disabilities and their families to practice their rights and be completely integrated in the social activities in order to participate actively in the development of their local communities.

We aim at promoting the inclusion of children with disabilities and their freedom of expression, improving the existing services and adopting innovative approaches, through continuous support of strengthened local NGOs.

The action plan of this project fosters the capacity of key stakeholders at local level and facilitates the dialogue between vulnerable people and public authorities to enable the educational and socio-economic development of children with disabilities which will facilitate the application of the Egyptian laws aimed to protect children with disabilities or at risk of disabilities.

In General ,The Egyptian laws provide different advantages and facilities for children with disabilities, but the application of these laws is still weak especially at community level. Very few schools or training centres are equipped to receive children with disabilities, both from the construction and infrastructure side and for the lack of qualified teachers and services provided. No youth centres, no playgrounds or children's' gardens are available to enable full integration of children with disabilities in educational, socio-cultural and sports activities together with other children and their families.

Preserving Siwa Cultural Heritage

ernesto — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 02:11:50 -0700

Located in the western desert at the borders with Lybia, Siwa is the most mysterious of all Egypt's oases, its history has been shaped by all major civilizations. The Siwan people have their own culture and customs and, beside Arabic, they speak own Berber (Amazigh) language. Women still wear traditional costumes and silver jewellery and Siwa remains one of the best places to buy traditional local handicrafts.

This project aims to revive the cultural heritage and promote a sustainable use of natural resources,through rehabilitating traditional houses,fostering ecotourism activities and improving the handicraft tradition in order to produce items for the local market and to evaluate the possibility to address the products to a more large market as the Egyptian or international one. Traditional architecture, natural and cultural resources and local handicraft production are rich and valuable, moreover to preserve this heritage is a way to promote local economic development.

The initiative resulted from the common desire of governmental and non governmental cooperation to collaborate in promoting sustainable and eco-compatible development in oases of Siwa and El Gara.

Cospe Egypt is responsible for the component related to traditional handicraft, the production consists on dresses and scarves, tools, basket and silver jewellery. Not all of this production still exists and the skill of the producers, mainly women and girls working at home, can be improved in design, finishing, quality control. The project will find, together with the community, the right way to provide training and marketing opportunities to the producers, inside and outside Siwa.

Sustaining agriculture in Wadi el Rayan

ernesto — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 02:57:32 -0700

With their fertile lands, Wadi el Rayan and the surrounding villages have the potential to produce high quality agricultural products, which is respecting the environment by applying the organic farming methods .

Till few time ago, the farmers were facing technical problems in irrigation and sanitation which were affecting crops and plant production. Moreover, they had a very low and unacceptable awareness of environmental issues, which is very important for them as protected area residents.

In cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation and North South Consulant Exchange , Cospe is implementing a three-fold action aimed at 1. developing skills, capacities and environmental awareness of Project staff and Agricultural extension officers, CDAs members, individual farmers, women and children; 2. Supporting and enhancing the organic farming methods and registrations ; 3. linking the production of organic products to traditional and Fare Trade marketing links.

COSPE Egypt and its partners are offering technical assistance to 110 farms who converted their lands into organic farming. Moreover, Wadi el Rayan organic products have succeed to enhance their presence in the local market and have started to reach the international market thanks to their promotion in international fairs such as the Italian Terra Madre Fair to which Wadi el Rayan farmers could participate directly by sending some of their representatives.

Even if a lot has still to be done, the project positive achievements demonstrate that the community, if correctly encouraged, can start to build up autonomously an effective sustainable development strategy.

SANe

ernesto — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 07:19:20 -0800

The project will contribute to equitable poverty eradication and the achievement of natural resources conservation and sustainable livelihoods of small-scale farmers – both men and women - from the poorest communities in QENA, SOHAG and FAYOUM

Three sustainable Agricultural Networks have a pivotal role in improving their members’ livelihoods (members of Farmer NGOs, local women’s groups and Input Trader associations), by advocating for their rights and influencing agricultural and environmental polices, promoting natural resources conservation and improving marketing opportunities through safe agriculture services and fair trade practices.

The project will provide training, on-going Technical Assistance (TA), support, and networking to 3 existing/emerging Agricultural Networks, as well as local women’s groups and network-level Women’s Committees (which will be established by the project). The activities focus on networking and advocacy around key agricultural and livelihoods issues with government to better inform/change policies in support of the small-scale farming community. Support and TA provided, as well as advocacy support, will include the improvement of farmer access to technical services, safe agricultural practices, marketing linkages, and fair trade concepts and possibilities.

SANe

ernesto — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 07:19:20 -0800

SANe

ernesto — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 07:19:20 -0800

Small-Scale Producers Network for Socio-Economic Rights Recognition

douaa — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 21:36:54 -0700

Small Scale Producers for Socio-Economic Rights Recognition, a project financed by the Italian-Egyptian Debt for Development Swap Program and implemented by COSPE in partnership with Ayadi Masreya (formerly, the Fair Trade Egypt Foundation) consists in formalizing the current national Fair Trade network of small-scale agro and handicraft producers composed of 4000 individuals from the governorates of Aswan, Qena, Sohag, Assiut, Minia, Fayoum, Cairo, Helwan, Giza, Sharkya, Beheira, North Sinai, South Sinai, Matrouh, and of the Red Sea, as a sustainable force for positive change in enabling marginalized producers' access to basic socio-economic rights. The project will incorporate at the core of Ayadi Masreya's structure, the set-up of a Producer Representation & Participation Unit, a Business-Development Services Unit, and finally a Social Welfare Services Unit. This will be done through the reinforcement of Ayadi Masreya's capacity to administer the network and most importantly, through the producers' development of their own Foundation membership scheme via which they will be able to represent themselves, develop the services they want to receive, and negotiate as a unique voice for the accession of small scale producers to their socio-economic rights.

Target Groups:

• 3500 Small-scale identified Agro & Handicraft Producers and their Associations

• 500 new Small-scale Agro Producers and Farmers Associations

• Fair Trade networks in Egypt

General Objective:

To contribute to the improvement of living conditions of small-scale producers through Fair Trade practices and participatory organization;

Specific Objective:

To create a Fair Trade Network based on small-scale agro and handicraft producers, as a sustainable force for positive change in enabling marginalized people's access to basic socio-economic rights

Expected Results:

• R1. A Fair Trade small producers system of participation and representation is in place

• R2. A Welfare Services Unit has been established and self-sustained by the end of the project

• R3. A Business Development Services Unit has been established and self- sustained by the end of the project • R4. Ayadi Masreya Foundation has been empowered to administer the Fair Trade Network providing small-scale producers with access to basic socio-economics rights recognition

Small-Scale Producers Network for Socio-Economic Rights Recognition

douaa — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 21:36:54 -0700

Target Groups:

• 3500 Small-scale identified Agro & Handicraft Producers and their Associations

• 500 new Small-scale Agro Producers and Farmers Associations

• Fair Trade networks in Egypt

General Objective:

To contribute to the improvement of living conditions of small-scale producers through Fair Trade practices and participatory organization;

Specific Objective:

To create a Fair Trade Network based on small-scale agro and handicraft producers, as a sustainable force for positive change in enabling marginalized people's access to basic socio-economic rights

Expected Results:

• R1. A Fair Trade small producers system of participation and representation is in place

• R2. A Welfare Services Unit has been established and self-sustained by the end of the project

Cairo North

federica — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 02:47:52 -0700

The improvement of living standards through environmental awareness in seven districts in the northern area of Cairo in Egypt: (Shobra, Rod Al-Farag, Al-Sahel, Al-Zeitoun, Hadayeq Al-Qobba, Al-Zawya, and Al-Sharabeya) is the main focus of the project. The area, which comprises 2.3 millions of inhabitants and produces 1500 / 2000 tons of solid waste/day, is in a diffused status of environmental, sanitary and social degradation that the project will contribute in reducing. The participation aimed, in fact, to improve the behaviors of the resident population concerning the environmental issues by increasing the awareness, influencing the guidelines of the community leaders and the decisions of the local administrators, yet by other interventions in specific fields. The project initiatives are conducted according to logic of community development of community being involving schools, cultural associations and NGOs which are active in the Northern Cairo, religious leaders other than the local institutions, some vulnerable groups and sanitary workers. The long term sustainability remains the most important priority of the project that is placed as objective; the transformation of educational actions and awareness, already experimented successfully in a true and permanent community empowerment system. To such aim, more valuable professions will be addressed to constitute an associative and permanent structure able to continue generating and catalyzing resources to be focused and coordinated on behalf of future educational and environmental initiatives.

The city of Tangier and the oasis of Siwa: Pilot actions to protect and promote their historical heritage

douaa — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:41:29 -0700

The project will be implemented in the city of Tangier, in Morocco, and in the oasis of Siwa, in Egypt. Tangier, with its historical Medina, and Siwa, an oasis in the western desert of Egypt, are both characterized by their important cultural heritage and the absence of strategic planning; they will be linked together in the framework of this project through the preservation and enhancement of their centuries-old cultural specificities, which are undergoing a process of progressive marginalization.

The project aims to improve the preservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, in this case, the old architecture of Medina and the old Berber Siwi language; to raise awareness and share knowledge on cultural heritage by involving schools and other public institutions; to enhance socio-economic opportunities for the marginalised women and youth living in the Medina of Tangier and the oasis of Siwa by investing in their handicraft traditions and handmade work; to empower local authorities and non-governmental organizations; and finally, to exchange best practices throughout the Mediterranean area. The expected results of the project will contribute to enhance the technical and managerial capacities of the target groups and local partners, namely of the two local development associations, Association Al Boughaz in Tangier, and the Siwa Community Development and Environment Conservation Association, as well as of the local authorities directly involved in the project implementation, through capacity-building, technical trainings, seminars, exchanges, visibility of activities and dissemination of results.