Children Become “Ambassadors for the Environment” in Giza and Explore the Wonders of Nature at the Dabbabiya Protected Area in Luxor
Since the beginning of the seventh operational phase of the Small Grants Programme (GEF/SGP) in Egypt, the programme management and the implementing civil society organizations have placed a strong emphasis on raising environmental awareness among children and encouraging their active participation in various initiatives — with the ultimate goal of nurturing new generations of environmentally conscious citizens.
The seventh phase, running from 2022 to 2026, is being implemented across seven governorates within four geographic regions — including Cairo and Giza (Greater Cairo), Alexandria and Beheira (West Delta), Qena and Luxor (Upper Egypt South), in addition to Fayoum Governorate.
The programme focuses on key thematic areas: climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, land degradation control, and reduction of persistent organic pollutants.
In Giza: “Green Warraq” Project Inspires Young Environmental Ambassadors
As part of the “Green Warraq” project for climate change mitigation, the House on the Rock for Development Association held an awareness seminar with the participation of primary school students. The event aimed to teach children proper environmental behaviors from an early age — empowering them to become “environmental ambassadors” in their communities.
The sessions focused on preserving natural resources, safe waste disposal and recycling, and the importance of afforestation and expanding green spaces. Children were encouraged to take part in improving environmental conditions within their local communities.
The association also organized practical training for a group of young volunteers involved in the project through an interactive discussion session highlighting their role in spreading environmental awareness and promoting a culture of volunteerism.
A field campaign followed, targeting several workshops and garment factories in the Warraq area, to encourage owners to adopt a barter model that allows them to receive certain goods or services in exchange for fabric waste, which would then be recycled instead of being disposed of in environmentally harmful ways.
In Luxor: “Little Explorer” Programme Brings Children Closer to Nature
In Luxor Governorate, under the project “Eco-Tourism and Sustainable Management of the Dabbabiya Protected Area,” the Abu Bakr Community Development Association in Tod continued implementing the “Little Explorer” programme.
This initiative includes a series of educational visits for primary and preparatory school students to the Dabbabiya Protected Area, designed to enhance their observation and discovery skills and encourage interaction with nature.
During the visits, students participated in a range of interactive activities attended by Dr. Mohamed Abdel Ghany, Director of the Protected Area, focusing on sustainability and environmental protection concepts.
The project also organized an educational workshop at the Luxor Public Library as part of the “Little Explorer” programme, followed by a field visit to the Dabbabiya Protected Area.
Children actively took part in all activities — exploring the site’s unique geological formations, attending lectures on sustainable development, and learning about the importance of conserving natural resources and protecting ecosystems.
These initiatives reflect the Small Grants Programme’s vision to integrate environmental education into community development, empowering Egypt’s youngest generations to grow as custodians of nature and champions of a sustainable future.