Children Become “Ambassadors for the Environment” in Giza… Exploring the Wonders of Nature at the “Dabbabiya” Reserve in Luxor Since the beginning of Phase VII of the Small Grants Programme (GEF/SGP) of the Global Environment Facility, the programme’s management in Egypt — along with the NGOs implementing its funded projects — has made it a priority to raise environmental awareness among children and encourage their participation in various activities, with the goal of preparing new, environmentally conscious generations. The projects of this phase, which runs from 2022 to 2026, are being implemented in seven governorates across four geographical regions: Cairo and Giza in Greater Cairo, Alexandria and Beheira in the Western Delta, Qena and Luxor in Upper Egypt, and Fayoum. The programme’s work areas include climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, combating land degradation, and reducing the use of persistent organic pollutants. In Giza, as part of the “Waraq Green” project to mitigate the effects of climate change, the “House on the Rock” Association organized an awareness seminar with the participation of a number of primary school students. The event aimed to teach children proper environmental behaviors at an early age, helping them become “environmental ambassadors” within their communities. Activities focused on raising awareness about conserving natural resources, safe waste disposal and recycling, and the importance of tree planting and expanding green spaces, while encouraging children to take part in improving environmental conditions in their local areas. The association also organized a hands-on training session for young volunteers involved in the project, through a discussion circle introducing their role in spreading environmental awareness and promoting a culture of volunteerism. Additionally, the project carried out a field campaign targeting several workshops and garment factories in the Waraq area, encouraging owners to adopt a barter model, which allows them to exchange textile waste for certain goods and services, thus recycling fabric scraps instead of disposing of them in environmentally harmful ways. In Luxor, within the framework of the “Eco-Tourism and Sustainable Management of the Dabbabiya Nature Reserve” project, the “Abu Bakr Community Development Association” continued its “Little Explorer” program. The initiative includes educational field visits for primary and preparatory school students to the reserve, aiming to develop children’s observation and discovery skills and encourage them to interact with nature. During the visits, the students participated in interactive