Joint program gives LE 54,95M in funds to small projects

CAIRO – 23 July 2017: Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali said that approximately LE 54,95 million ($3 million) have been made available to finance small projects during the past three years until July 10, according to a released statement on Sunday.

This comes as part of a joint initiative between the ministry, the National Foundation for Family and Community Development (NFFCD) and the Social Development Fund (SFD) with the aim of creating job opportunities.

Wali said that 19,080 projects have been executed ranging from commercial projects, public services, and bakeries, among others that benefited some 22,873 citizens.

Executive Director of the NFFCD, Abdel-Hakim Hamouda, said that the program offers loans to different associations working on community development in order to execute micro projects that will benefit people with low incomes. The foundation has collaborated with 230 small associations across several governorates to provide these funds, he said.

Around 8,586 of the accomplished projects were led by women, representing 42 per cent of total projects.

The Solidarity Ministry and NFFCD are working on leading a new program called 'One Village, one Product,' where certain villages will be assigned to produce one product. The program aims to make sure that the products used are sustainable and eco-friendly.