Clean-up and Tree-Planting Campaigns, Awareness Sessions, and Training Programs to Promote Sustainability Practices
As part of the preparations for celebrating Egypt’s National Environment Day 2025, several civil society organizations implementing projects funded by the Small Grants Programme (SGP) carried out a wide range of activities and events. These included clean-up and tree-planting campaigns, awareness workshops and sessions, as well as training programs on agricultural waste recycling, and the installation and maintenance of solar panels and energy-saving LED lights.
Egypt celebrates National Environment Day on January 27 each year, marking the issuance of the first Environmental Protection Law (Law No. 4 of 1994). The celebration was initiated by the Arab Office for Youth and Environment, chaired by Dr. Emad El-Din Adly, under the patronage of Minister of Environment Dr. Yasmine Fouad. This year’s celebration is held under the theme:
“The Nexus between Water, Food, Energy, and Ecosystems: Foundations of Sustainability.”
In Qena Governorate, the Community Development Association in Naqada organized an awareness seminar on sustainable solutions for recycling agricultural waste, as part of the project “Optimal Use of Agricultural Waste – ‘All Good Lies in Our Ambassador’”, funded by the Small Grants Programme. The event, which witnessed strong community participation, highlighted the environmental and health risks of burning waste, while presenting innovative methods to transform agricultural residues into economic resources — supporting sustainable agriculture and improving local livelihoods.
Meanwhile, in Fayoum Governorate, the Higher Horizons Association for Development and Community Service held a public seminar within the project “Recycling Palm Waste and Combating the Red Palm Weevil in Itsa Villages.” The event aimed to raise farmers’ awareness of the dangers of burning palm residues and demonstrated how they can be reused to produce livestock feed and organic fertilizers. The discussions also emphasized this year’s National Environment Day theme — the interconnection of energy, food, water, and ecosystems as core pillars of sustainable development.
As part of the “Waraq Green” project in Giza Governorate, the Bayt Ala El Sakhra Association continued its activities to protect trees and expand green spaces. The association organized a discussion session highlighting the importance of trees in combating climate change and preserving biodiversity. Participants stressed the need for more concrete actions to protect ecosystems, noting that each tree cut down represents a loss for future generations.
Also in Giza, the Sawa Ala El Ganna Association for Development and Special Needs Care launched a series of awareness activities and messages throughout January, in celebration of National Environment Day, as part of the Solar Energy in Industry project. These activities, covering the areas of Imbaba, Awsim, Bashtil, and 6th of October Gardens, were implemented in cooperation with local districts and health units to raise awareness about the importance of solar energy and its role in addressing climate change. The association also announced free training sessions for youth on the installation and maintenance of solar power systems and energy-saving LED lighting.