New Egypt Foundation and Ministry of Environment Collaborate on Environmental Trips to Egypt’s Southern Nature Reserves

Qena, Egypt – June 2025

As part of a broader cooperation protocol with the Ministry of Environment, the New Egypt Foundation for Community Development organized environmental awareness trips to the Wadi El-Gemal and Gebel Elba nature reserves. The initiative, which included 158 participants from various age groups, aimed to raise public awareness about the significance of natural reserves, foster community involvement in environmental protection, and promote ecotourism in Egypt.

These activities coincided with Egypt’s World Environment Day celebrations and were conducted under the directives of Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, who has consistently advocated for increased collaboration between government and civil society organizations to protect the country’s natural heritage.

🌿 Gebel Elba Reserve: Education and Action

The environmental trip to Gebel Elba Reserve offered participants an opportunity to learn about the unique biodiversity, natural landscapes, and the geological significance of the region that led to its designation as a protected area.

A highlight of the trip was a mangrove cleaning campaign, in which 76 young participants aged 12 to 18 took part. The activity emphasized the importance of waste management in ecological areas and served as an entry point for youth to engage in volunteer-based environmental initiatives.

🏞️ Wadi El-Gemal Reserve: Engaging Youth in Sustainability

The second trip, organized at Wadi El-Gemal Reserve, focused on youth engagement and environmental education. A total of 82 boys and girls participated in interactive educational games, eco-workshops, and a beach cleanup campaign at Hankorab Beach, aimed at removing plastic debris and teaching about the threats to marine ecosystems.

These activities not only raised awareness but also encouraged youth to become environmental ambassadors within their communities.

🤝 Strengthening Civil Society's Role in Environmental Protection

These trips are part of a long-term strategic cooperation protocol signed between the Ministry of Environment and the New Egypt Foundation for Community Development, which outlines a comprehensive plan to:

• Implement awareness campaigns, workshops, and field visits

• Launch pilot environmental projects targeting local issues

• Promote eco-friendly practices and responsible consumption

• Incorporate sustainability principles into charitable activities

• Build community capacities, especially among women and youth

• Encourage green entrepreneurship and small environmental projects

The partnership reflects a shared vision to integrate environmental dimensions across social and economic development efforts, helping to create a greener, more resilient Egypt.

🌍 Beyond Awareness: Building for the Future

The cooperation also supports:

• Establishing volunteer networks for environmental action

• Promoting eco-tourism as a sustainable development tool

• Expanding green spaces and urban greenery

• Training environmental educators and community leaders in all governorates

Through this initiative, the New Egypt Foundation is cementing its role as a key civil society actor in supporting Egypt’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and addressing pressing climate and biodiversity challenges.