Consolidating Pathways to Inclusion: Launch of "Bridges of Opportunities" in Cairo

This project, led by Samusocial International (Egypt), in partnership with France through AFD, the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, Ora Developers Egypt, the RATP Group Foundation, RATP Dev Mobility Cairo, and ALEXBANK, represents the first joint operation under the new memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed today between the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD).

Under the patronage of the French Ambassador to Egypt, H.E. Mr. Éric Chevallier, this event highlights

1. The renewal of France and SFSD’s shared commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, reinforcing their long-standing partnership for an additional five years; 
2. The launch of “Bridges of Opportunities”.

"Bridges of Opportunities" seeks to empower children and youth in street situations through a holistic approach that combines sports, education, arts, and vocational training. This initiative aims to provide pathways to autonomy and socio-professional reintegration, directly supporting around 450 young people (with a focus on young women) to help them realize their potential and achieve social and professional inclusion. In this context, the project fosters a supportive environment where young people can develop essential life skills and strengthen their resilience. The partners, convinced of the transformative power of these opportunities, are working together to positively shape the lives of these young individuals.

Through coordinated efforts with NGOs, educational institutions, and local government centers, "Bridges of Opportunities" will offer sports activities, life-skills training, psychosocial support, career-focused workshops, and laying the foundation for lasting change. This collaboration is reinforced by a formal agreement among all partners, aiming to catalyze new partnerships and to mobilize a robust network of public and private stakeholders committed to a shared social impact mission – each of which leveraging their unique resources towards that common goal. This project serves as a concrete example of cooperation, demonstrating how collective efforts can pave the way for inclusion by providing genuine opportunities for youth empowerment and social transformation.

The agreements signed, and the project launched, embody a shared vision of social impact, creating pathways for youth empowerment and sustainable change.

Press contacts: 

For AFD: Névine Greiss / greissn@afd.fr

For the Sawiris Foundation: Wessam Ragab / wragab@sawirisfoundation.org 

For Samusocial International: Marie Chuberre / m.chuberre@samu-social-international.com

For RATP Group: Coline Gagneux-Chapron / coline.gagneux-chapron@ratp.fr 

For RATP Dev Mobility Cairo: Mai Yousery / mai.yousery@ratpdev.com

For ALEXBANK: Sandra Fahmy / Sandra.Fahmy2@AlexBank.com

For Ora Developers Egypt:  Dalia Alloub / Dalloub@ora-egypt.com

The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group has established itself as a key player in Franco-Egyptian cooperation, working since 2006 to support the country’s economic, social and environmental transitions.

In response to these challenges, AFD is stepping up its efforts and in 2022 revised its strategic intervention framework to support the country in the transitions underway and respond to Egypt’s specific climate change adaptation needs, gender equality or training and employment.

With a portfolio of €2.3 billion (November 2023), AFD is deploying a diversified range of instruments to support the Egyptian government in its development objectives, mainly in the sustainable infrastructure sectors (energy, transport, water and sanitation), climate finance, support for the private sector and entrepreneurship, and social sectors, including social protection.

Today, 55 projects are underway, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reflecting the priorities shared by Egypt and France. They are intended to support the integration of Egyptian financial, commercial and productive systems at the regional level; to support the development of green, inclusive and efficient infrastructure; and promote equitable and sustainable local territorial development.

Learn more about the AFD Group’s activity in Egypt

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About Sawiris Foundation:

The Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD) is one of the first donor foundations in Egypt. Established in 2001 by the Sawiris family, SFSD philanthropically promotes and supports innovative solutions that target comprehensive and sustainable development in Egypt.

Over the last 23 years, SFSD has addressed the most pressing issues facing marginalized Egyptians, such as poverty, unemployment, social exclusion, and limited access to quality education, by funding the delivery of programs aimed at achieving comprehensive and sustainable development, in partnership with the governmental and private sectors as well as civil society. By creating thousands of job opportunities and providing quality education and access to basic services, we have impacted the lives of approximately 1 million Egyptians. Our funded programs cover 24 Egyptian governorates, focusing on the most remote villages.

With increasing global and national challenges, Sawiris Foundation developed its strategic directions while finding the most cost-effective and impactful ways to support Egypt’s marginalized families and those trying to further positive social change in Egypt. By following the philosophy of effective altruism and evidence-based practices, we have launched our 2023-2028 strategy to maximize our impact in reducing multidimensional poverty and empowering agents of change in Egypt. 

Learn more about Sawiris Foundation for Social Development 

About RATP Group Foundation:

RATP Group Foundation has been committed to serving the public interest in the heart of the territories where the RATP Group is present. In keeping with the RATP Group's raison d'être, the Foundation aspires to a world in which everyone, whatever their situation, can participate fully in the life of the community. To this end, the Foundation supports local public-interest projects in favour of social integration through two programs: facilitating professional integration and ensuring equal access to the city's resources and opportunities for people in economic or social difficulty. In addition to financial support, the Group also contributes many resources in kind through the mobilization of its companies and employees, as is the case for this program with the local RDMC subsidiary.

Learn more about RATP Group Foundation

About RATP Dev RATP Dev Mobility Cairo (RDMC):

RDMC is the Egyptian subsidiary of RATP Group (through RATP Dev). Established in 2020, RDMC currently employs around 3000 people to operate and maintain the Green Line 3 of the Cairo Metro as well as the Capital Train, which connects the historic city of Cairo with the New Administrative Capital. As a key player in the development of Greater Cairo, RDMC pays particular attention to its social impact, with a focus on gender diversity and inclusion. RDMC will mainly provide in-kind contributions to enhance the employability of youth and young adults through workshops, internships, a mentorship programme, etc.

Learn more about RATP Dev Mobility Cairo 

About Samusocial International:

Samusocial International (SSI) is a French NGO founded in 1998. It aims at promoting actions and disseminating knowledge on social exclusion, notably by supporting the creation and development of Samusocial services in urban areas throughout the world. Founded on a community of shared values, ethical principles, and methodologies, the network of Samusocial International partners spans various regions of the world (Africa, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East).

Its office in Egypt, Samusocial International Egypt (SSIEG), has been intervening since 2008 directly with the children and youths in street situations (CYSS) and accompanies them at the social, medical, psychological and legal levels. Samusocial International Egypt focuses first on identifying the most excluded children living on the street, to create a trust relationship for them to accept help. SSIEG teams offer medical, psychosocial and legal support to this extremely vulnerable category, paying special attention to girls, women and young mothers. SSIEG teams follow each beneficiary whether still in the street or in partner shelters with an individual perspective and engages them in different activities that will contribute to their social and economic reintegration.

Learn more about Samusocial International

About Ora Developers Egypt:

Ora Developers Group has a proven track record of creating beautiful environments that balance exceptional thinking with enduringly sensitive design in several markets such as London, Cyprus, Grenada, Pakistan, and Egypt. Ora’s developments are living, breathing lifestyle destinations with a real sense of community spirit – bringing opportunity for all and offering a wide range of enjoyable lifestyle experiences.

Ora Developers Egypt entered the Egyptian market in 2018 to become the first in the country to introduce park-side living with the sole vision of harnessing the natural beauty of Egypt’s extraordinary landscapes and managing the development process from conception to realization. In addition to the various residential development projects : ZED El Sheikh Zayed, ZED East, Pyramids Hills, Solana West by Ora, Solana East by Ora, and Silversands North Coast, ORA Developers Group boasts leading investments in commercial real estate, office spaces, parks, sports, and recreational clubs, as well as hospitality.

Learn more about Ora Developers Egypt

About ALEXBANK:

ALEXBANK is one of Egypt’s leading private sector banks established in 1957 and participated by the Intesa Sanpaolo Group since 2007.  ALEXBANK owns one of the largest private sector branch networks with a total of 173 branches located in every major Egyptian governorate employing over 4,300 individuals who proudly serve more than 1.9 million customers. ALEXBANK actively serves the widest spectrum of segments by providing value added financial products, services and solutions to Retail, Small Business, Medium and Corporate Enterprises. 

ALEXBANK is currently in the midst of a radical digital transformation aimed at providing our customers with the most unique of banking experiences, via our seamless multi-channel experience incorporating Internet & Mobile Banking, Cards, Electronic wallets, and the latest generation of point-of-sale & ATMs, all powered through the power of Big Data and empowered by key players in the Fintech ecosystem.

Learn more about ALEXBANK