Representatives from the European Union (EU) and its Member States, led by the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, visited development projects in Upper Egypt's Aswan region to showcase the success of initiatives funded by the EU and its Member States.
These projects, implemented in collaboration with the Egyptian Government and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), address critical global challenges, including education, climate resilience, refugee support, women's empowerment, and nutrition.
The delegation included members of the EU Council's Working Parties, representatives from EU institutions, and 22 Member States.
They were joined by WFP officials and representatives from UN sister agencies during field visits to vocational training centres, agricultural projects, community schools, and nutrition units.
The visit aligns with the Hungarian Presidency’s focus on strengthening European action on food security, a priority reflected in forthcoming EU Council Conclusions on global food and nutrition security.
Advancing Food Security and Climate Resilience
At the heart of the visit was a focus on sustainable agriculture. Delegates met smallholder farmers who have adopted advanced techniques like solar-powered drip irrigation and land consolidation, supported by WFP and Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation. These innovations have increased productivity by up to 40%, offering scalable solutions to climate change and food insecurity.
Jean-Pierre de Margerie, WFP Egypt Representative and Country Director, emphasized the importance of partnerships in tackling global challenges. “What we see in Aswan reflects the strength of our collaboration with the EU and the Egyptian Government in empowering communities and fostering sustainable growth,” he said.
Empowering Communities Through Education and Skills Training
The delegation visited WFP-supported schools working in partnership with Egypt’s Ministry of Education and Technical Education. These schools benefit from WFP’s school feeding programme, which provides nutritional support and cash incentives to boost attendance and ensure equal learning opportunities. Teachers have also received training and digital tools to enhance education quality.
Vocational training centres established under WFP’s refugee programme were another highlight. Developed in partnership with the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport, EU Member States, and local organizations, these centres offer skills training in carpentry, manufacturing, and digital tools. The initiative promotes self-reliance and economic inclusion for refugees and host community members.
Women's Empowerment and Nutrition
The EU delegation also explored women’s empowerment programmes, developed with Egypt’s Ministry of Social Solidarity. These initiatives provide training and micro-loans, enabling women to launch businesses and increase household incomes by nearly 50%.
In addition, the delegation visited health units under the Ministry of Social Solidarity’s “First 1,000 Days” Programme, supported by WFP. These units provide nutrition assessments for children and support pregnant and breastfeeding women to combat malnutrition and improve maternal and child health.
A Strong Partnership for Inclusive Growth
The visit underscores the long-standing partnership between the EU, its Member States, and WFP in Egypt. Earlier this year, the EU and WFP launched a €2 million programme to empower 6,000 refugees and host community members through vocational training and private sector engagement.
In 2023, the EU and its Member States contributed €2.4 billion globally to WFP, accounting for over 30% of its annual budget. This commitment continues to drive impactful development in Egypt and beyond, addressing urgent challenges and fostering resilience in vulnerable communities.
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