The Small Grants Program Continues Local Platform Meetings for Phase Seven Dr. Emad Adly: Monitoring Greater Cairo Projects and Overcoming Challenges with Stakeholder Participation Dr. Hala Yousry: Adopting a Participatory Approach from Concept to Evaluation Ensures Effective Implementation
The Small Grants Program (GEF/SGP) will hold the local platform meeting for the Greater Cairo region on May 8, 2025, as part of a series of regional platform meetings in the geographic areas where Phase Seven projects are being implemented. The meeting will be attended by the program’s National Director, Dr. Emad El-Din Adly; Dr. Hala Yousry, Chair of the National Steering Committee; executive leaders; representatives of relevant and partner entities in the targeted governorates; and NGOs implementing projects funded by the program during this phase.
Phase Seven of the Small Grants Program runs from 2022 to 2026 and is being implemented across seven governorates in four geographic regions: Greater Cairo (Cairo and Giza), Western Delta (Alexandria and Beheira), Southern Upper Egypt (Qena and Luxor), and Fayoum. In Greater Cairo alone, nine projects are underway—four in Cairo, four in Giza, and one cross-cutting project on knowledge management and innovation led by the Environment and Development Writers Association.
Phase Seven Projects in Greater Cairo:
Knowledge Management, Communication, and Innovation Promotion – Environment and Development Writers Association
Sustainable Local Youth Communities – Forum for Dialogue and Participation
Solar Power Generation – Nahdet El-Mansouria Development Association
Green Waraq for Climate Change Mitigation – House on the Rock for Development
Solar Energy in Industry – Together to Paradise for Development
Sustainable Plastic Waste Management – Pioneers for Projects and Development
Climate Change Mitigation and Resilience – Youth of Egypt for Development and Environment
Eco-Friendly Youth Centers – Egyptian Leadership Foundation for Development
Green Squares – Plant a Tree Foundation for Social Development
Dr. Emad Adly emphasized that the local platform meetings aim to review the activities already implemented under the program’s funded projects and highlight upcoming plans for the next few months. These plans are aligned with local work strategies in Phase Seven governorates and with the efforts of the Ministry of Environment and other relevant ministries, ensuring that projects contribute to and complement national initiatives.
He explained that to strengthen this participatory approach, local platforms are being launched in each targeted region. These platforms bring together stakeholders involved in every funded project. Their core mission is to ensure that projects are implemented transparently and collaboratively, with coordination among all parties, while facilitating experience exchange and overcoming challenges that may arise.
Dr. Hala Yousry, Chair of the National Steering Committee, stressed the importance of the participatory approach adopted by the program—from the initial project concept, through the development of the national strategy in each operational phase, to project implementation, activity monitoring, and final evaluation. She affirmed that this approach guarantees tangible and sustainable outcomes that reflect the priorities and needs of local communities.