By Sama Marwan,
Egypt is steadfast in its commitment to fostering youth development and strengthening communities, with numerous initiatives and strategies underway in 2025 and beyond.
National Strategies and International Partnerships: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Egypt, through its Country Strategy 2021-2025, is actively balancing the integration of young people into society, aligning with Egypt Vision 2030 and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). A cornerstone of this is the “Shabab Balad” national platform, Egypt’s version of the UN’s “Generation Unlimited” initiative, aiming to unite the private sector, civil society, and youth to achieve national development goals. Key priorities include quality education, technology as a resilience tool, and promoting healthy lifestyles among youth.
Skills Development and Employment Opportunities: The Ministry of Labour recently announced 600 free training grants for graduates at the Egyptian Drilling Company (EDC) training center. These grants are a direct response to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s directives to equip youth with skills aligned with labor market demands, targeting graduates in engineering, electricity, mechanics, and technical diplomas. This program emphasizes building human capital and adheres to international standards.
“Be Ready” Initiative for One Million Innovators: In a significant partnership with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research launched the second edition of the “Be Ready” initiative in April 2025. The ambitious goal is to qualify one million youths as innovators. This initiative aligns with the presidential “Alliance and Development” initiative and includes a comprehensive digital platform offering diverse pathways for professional and innovative qualification, alongside training and employment opportunities.
Climate Action and Youth Engagement (LCOY Egypt 2025): The Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development (MYF) is organizing the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) Egypt 2025, a UN-endorsed event leading up to COP30. This conference aims to empower young people (aged 18-35) across Egypt, including environmental activists, researchers, entrepreneurs, and religious leaders, to engage with climate change issues. It will feature interactive workshops, discussions on sustainability, climate solutions, and opportunities to network with climate experts and policymakers. The conference will focus on local climate challenges and solutions, connecting participants to broader global climate initiatives.
Community Development and Infrastructure Improvements: The European Union continues to support Egypt’s “Integrated and Sustainable Housing and Community Development Programme,” which has already benefited over 12 million residents in deprived urban areas across seven governorates. A new EU-funded program for community development, valued at €39.5 million, is set to begin implementation soon, focusing on participatory interventions where local communities identify and decide on development priorities.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities is extending investment incentives for real estate and service projects in new urban cities for another year, aiming to boost private sector engagement and accelerate development. Projects like the Mazarin project in New Alamein City are on track for completion by June 2025, providing thousands of new residential units and essential services like mosques, schools, and health centers.
International Cooperation for Local Impact: The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Egypt Office held its “Annual WFK (World Friends Korea) Volunteer Programme Partner Organizations Workshop” in May 2025. KOICA volunteers are being dispatched to work with youth across Egypt, supporting technical education, digitalization of government services, women’s empowerment, and other community development initiatives in various governorates.
These diverse initiatives underscore Egypt’s strategic focus on empowering its youth, enhancing community infrastructure, and fostering sustainable development through national programs and robust international partnerships.
