Volunteers distribute hygiene kits in North Sinai to prevent COVID-19.

El Gora Community Development Association

Overview

USAID is working in partnership with the Egyptian people to promote economic stability and inclusive development in Egypt through more effective public institutions and engagement with civil society.  Our inclusive governance work focuses on increasing the accountability and efficiency of public institutions and reducing barriers to economic and social participation for women and marginalized communities. Our work focuses on strengthening governance systems, combatting corruption, promoting women's social and economic empowerment, preventing violence against women, and combating trafficking in persons. Our activities support comprehensive socio-economic reform efforts to improve Egypt’s investment climate and foster broad-based prosperity in Egypt.     

Activities

SAFE CITIES FREE FROM VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS: This activity works to end violence against women and girls by combating sexual harassment, promoting legislative reforms, and improving support mechanisms for survivors of violence against women. The Safe Cities activity is strengthening the capacity of public institutions and community service organizations to provide survivor services. These include shelters, first-contact service providers, and community-based services for rehabilitation, health, and legal support for survivors and their families. The activity supports advocacy efforts and uses innovative awareness-raising tools such as interactive community theater, storytelling, and art to promote a culture of zero-tolerance for violence against women, as well as a culture of responsibility towards the survivors of this abuse. Safe Cities is also promoting the safety of women and girls in public spaces, such as the development of community-managed ‘women-friendly spaces,’ street lightning, safe markets, and safe transportation. In addition, the Safe Cities activity has been extended for one year to mitigate the secondary impacts of COVID-19 on women and girls in Egypt, specifically to promote the continuation of services to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. The activity will conduct research and collect data to better understand the socio-economic impact of the pandemic on women and girls in Egypt. Implementing Partner: UN Women; Life of Project: October 2013 – July2021; Total Estimated Cost: $8 million; Governorates: Nationwide, plus targeted intervention areas in Alexandria, Beni Suef, Cairo, Dakahliya, Fayoum, Giza, Minya, Qalyoubia

PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION AMONG YOUTH IN NORTH SINAI – EL GORA: The El Gora activity is building a culture of youth civic participation and volunteerism. It also helps young people develop their leadership and communications skills and builds trust among the youth and their local community leaders – especially the Government of Egypt officials and tribal decision-makers who have historically excluded young people from positions of authority. Through North Sinai’s first youth volunteer center, young people are able to join together to carry out volunteer opportunities to aid their communities. The activity promotes youth leadership skills and social accountability tools, enabling young people to actively design solutions for community reconstruction, social welfare, and crisis management, thereby giving youth the opportunity to earn community respect and become a key interlocutor between local officials and their communities. Implementing Partner: El Gora Community Development Association; Life of Project:  January 2008 – November 2020; Total Estimated Cost: $1.9 million; Governorates: North Sinai

CREATING AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR GIRLS IN EGYPT: In partnership with the Government of Egypt, USAID is empowering girls and young women in Upper Egypt by equipping them with key social and economic skills to eliminate violence against girls and young women, including Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C) and early marriage. By focusing on services, systems, and community, the activity aims to empower girls and their families to end violence against girls with the support of Egypt’s legal system and protection services. Through community awareness, this activity engages parents and leaders in discussions on the protection and empowerment of girls and it aims to change perceptions of the roles girls play in their families, society, and the economy. Working with governmental partners, the activity is strengthening Egypt’s policy and legal frameworks to provide codified protection and services to survivors and girls at-risk of FGM/C. The activity also partners with civil society and local governments in Assiut, Aswan, Qena, and Sohag to improve and expand child protection services. Additionally, in response to the COVID 19 outbreak the activity is conducting household-level monitoring of the socioeconomic impacts of the outbreak on household livelihoods, access to public health and education services, and protection issues for women and girls. Implementing Partner: UNICEF; Life of Project: December 2017 – December 2021; Total Estimated Cost: $4.4 million; Governorates: Assiut, Aswan, Qena, Sohag

EGYPT ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT: The Egypt Economic Governance for Development Project supports Egyptian reforms to increase the accountability, efficiency, and transparency of public institutions and the civil service, and also improve the Government of Egypt’s ability to provide access to public services -- particularly to women and youth. To achieve these goals, this activity is partnering with both the public and private sectors to develop and institute new and innovative service delivery systems that enhance how the two sectors conduct business together. The service delivery system will also reduce costs, lessen petty corruption, and decrease overall risk exposure. Working in these areas will reduce barriers to economic and social participation, and will help ensure that economic growth is sustainable and that it benefits all Egyptian citizens more equitably. Implementing Partner: International Development Group LLC (IDG); Life of Project: May 2019 – May 2020; Total Estimated Cost: $3.5 million; Governorates: Nationwide