Minister of Environment: A pivotal role for civil society institutions in implementing innovative projects to protect the environment
The Ministry of Environment, through the National Solid Waste Management Programme, “NSWMP” launched EU GREEN" A series of training workshops for civil society organizations in Qena Governorate, in cooperation with the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ), for 35 associations; Within the framework of raising the efficiency of civil society institutions for community development and environmental service, in the presence of Dr. Khaled Abdel Halim, Governor of Qena, Dr. Hazem Omar, Deputy Governor, representatives of civil society associations and the National Program for Solid Waste Management, representatives of the German International Cooperation Authority (GIZ), waste management units, and the National Program consultant in the governorate. 
This comes within the framework of the directives of Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, to activate community dialogue, stimulate positive participation, and provide funding sources. For community initiatives, which aim to reduce sources of pollution, protect citizens’ health, confront the phenomenon of climate change, and implement the waste system.
Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, confirmed that these trainings come within the ministry’s efforts. The plan of action of the national program to raise the efficiency of civil society institutions and civil society organizations to develop their skills and to transfer the trainees’ skills and acquired knowledge to other trainees; Which helps to support their projects, provide new job opportunities, increase their incomes, and improve their living conditions, in addition to preserving the environment through these projects, thus preserving natural resources and achieving environmental, economic, and social dimensions. Pointing to the importance of the role of civil society institutions and civil society associations in community development and in implementing Innovative projects in the fields of environmental protection, solid waste management, climate change, and circular economy.
Fouad stressed the role of civil society institutions and NGOs. Pivotal in helping the Ministry achieve this goal..
Noting that the project funded by the German government and the European Union will train approximately 170 civil society organizations in the four governorates (Qena / Assiut / Gharbia / Kafr El-Sheikh) and various governorates of the Republic to analyze societal problems, find innovative solutions to them, and formulate them as proposals for integrated projects.
From For his part, Dr. Khaled Abdel Halim, Governor of Qena, during his speech at the workshop, emphasized the role of civil society institutions in supporting local units by collecting and transporting agricultural and municipal waste in villages and hamlets, stressing the importance of organizing the work professionally, taking into account the technical and financial aspects, pointing to strengthening Development work and support for innovative projects of civil society organizations, in coordination with the relevant authorities, within the framework of the partnership between civil society institutions and government service sectors. He added that this partnership enhances the exchange of technical expertise and new ideas, which reflects a commitment Jointly achieving sustainable development, preserving the environment, and addressing environmental challenges.
The training was held over a period of 10 days and included how to prepare and write a project proposal that includes general and subsidiary goals, procedures, and budget. , follow-up and evaluation mechanisms, in addition to the mechanisms for preparing the proposal and what it includes in terms of the project background, institutional objectives, analysis of problems and activities for each objective, in addition to the work plan, risk management, organizational structure and identification of needs. During the workshop, representatives of the Ministry of Environment also conducted The governorate provided detailed presentations on the circular economy, climate change, and waste management, in addition to presenting the efforts of the Ministry of Environment and the governorate in involving civil society organizations in the collection and transportation system at the village level in the governorate and the necessary procedures in this regard. The training also included steps for preparing the budget, costs, and instructions related to submitting local contributions.
It is worth noting that the National Solid Waste Management Program is considered one of the largest projects in Egypt, and is implemented in four governorates: Kafr El-Sheikh, Gharbia, Qena and Assiut. The program combines two components, technical and financial, to create an effective and sustainable solid waste management system, with the aim of preserving the environment and public health. The program also provides technical support to waste management units in the targeted governorates, to raise the efficiency of workers from the technical, financial and contractual aspects, in addition to encouraging… The private sector should participate in the system, contributing to its development and creating promising investment opportunities and new job opportunities.
