New ENID project in Qena supports MSMEs, Decent Life

14 / 05 / 2023

By Marwa Nassar - -

A new project launched in the Upper Egypt governorate of Qena by the Egyptian Network for Integrated Development (ENID) seeks to enhance integration with national initiatives, particularly the Presidential Initiative “A Decent Life,” and improve knowledge exchange and capacity building processes to replicate successful models of implemented programs and projects.

Additionally, the project aims to expand digital solutions for knowledge exchange and e-learning, as well as marketing and basic services. The promotion of the private sector and entrepreneurship is also a focus, with efforts to strengthen their role in productive and service activities.

ENID will support the development of value chains and productive clusters to increase employment rates in Upper Egypt. These objectives demonstrate the commitment of ENID and its partners to promoting sustainable development, increasing economic opportunities, and improving livelihoods in the region.

Representatives of the Ministry of International Cooperation, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Resident Representative in Egypt, Alessandro Fracassetti, and the Director of the Egypt Network for Integrated Development (ENID) Dr. Heba Handoussa welcomed development partners to Qena for a 2-day field visit to celebrate the signature and commencement of the new project “Egypt Network for Integrated Development (ENID) – Expanded interventions (2023-2027) in support of Hayah Karima(Decent Life)”.

The field visit included tours of some of ENID’s most successful interventions including El Maana Manufacturing Complex which holds the first RMG factory in Qena, El GamaleiaWoodcrafts Factory, the Naqada Sericulture Value Chain Project, Al Mahrousa Pottery Workshop, and several handicraft workshops. The visit also showcased ENID’s work in upgrading basic services through a visit to Nagaa Qoteib Village where the delegation stopped at a preschool for children with disabilities. The delegation also visited the newly launched Business Development Center which aims to promote the scale-up and replication of the successful business models developed under ENID.

Minister of International Cooperation Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat stated “A key example of integrated development, tested and validated through clear on-ground impact, ENID presents a unique sustainable model dedicated to socioeconomically empowering women through various small and medium enterprises built through creative handicraft work, including jewelry and ready-made garments, among many other one-of-a-kind projects.” She added that, “In line with the Government of Egypt’s commitment to job-creating economic development, ENID has led to many positive changes in Qena that have decreased poverty levels through coordinated cooperation and rapport with local communities, thus addressing illiteracy, education, health, and food security. The coming period will witness more progress by replicating and scaling-up projects, employability opportunities and access to improved basic services.”

From his side, UNDP Resident Representative in Egypt Alessandro Fracassetti said, “The new ENID project emphasizes its role as a knowledge hub and a key body for sharing expertise while implementing and scaling up successful models. ENID’s previous interventions proved effective in creating job opportunities, empowering marginalized communities including women and youth, promoting MSMEs and entrepreneurship and upgrading basic services. We look forward to continuing our work with the Ministry of International Cooperation and ENID to scale up its methodology and experience and capitalize on its successful pilots to ensure we leave no one behind”.

Director of the ENID project, Dr. Heba Handoussa said “We are ready to deliver a sustainable path for change to all development actors working in Rural Upper Egypt. Through our mission towards the socio-economic empowerment of women and youth in the South of Egypt, ENID interventions will continue to align with national priorities and support government initiatives including Hayah Karima (Decent Life) and Forsa.”

So far, ENID has operated in more than 115 villages in Upper Egypt in the three governorates of Qena, Luxor and Sohag and has helped 25,828 beneficiaries and created more than 4,000 job opportunities. ENID has also partnered with over 70 local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to promote ownership and community participation among rural communities. To preserve Egypt’s cultural heritage, ENID has revived and safeguarded 26 Egyptian handicrafts which were near extinction.