Egypt’s Minister of Labor Mohamed Gibran on Thursday participated in the official launch of the “Tamkeen” Initiative in Luxor Governorate, led by Sonaa El Kheir Foundation, a member of the National Alliance for Civil Development Work, as part of a nationwide effort to empower youth and women through training, employment, and financial inclusion.
The initiative is being implemented under the patronage of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and within the strategic financial framework of the Ministry of Social Solidarity, in cooperation with the Ministries of Labor, Youth and Sports, and with Banque Misr serving as the strategic sponsor.
A National Model for State–Civil Society Cooperation
Minister Gibran described the official launch of the Tamkeen Initiative as “a clear national model for integration between state institutions and civil society,” stressing that joint action is essential to achieving sustainable empowerment and improving living standards.
“The initiative represents a qualitative shift in the lives of thousands of Egyptian families and aligns with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directives to place citizens at the heart of development,” Gibran said.
He also praised the strong planning and execution by Sonaa El Kheir Foundation, proposing the inclusion of solar energy projects to expand job opportunities for youth while supporting environmental sustainability.
Strong Government and Local Support
The launch ceremony was attended by Luxor Governor Abdel Motaleb Emara, Ambassador Nabila Makram, Head of the Technical Secretariat of the National Alliance for Civil Development Work, Dr. Mostafa Zamzam, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Sonaa El Kheir Foundation, and Hany Abdel Fattah, Chief Executive Officer of the foundation.
Senior representatives from Banque Misr, the Central Bank of Egypt, and the Ministry of Social Solidarity, along with officials responsible for financial inclusion and rural development, also took part in the event.
Governor Emara emphasized that Luxor places strong priority on initiatives that provide real training opportunities, income-generating projects, and improved livelihoods, particularly in villages most in need, in line with Egypt Vision 2030.
One Million Beneficiaries Within Three Years
Dr. Zamzam stated that the Tamkeen Initiative aims to reach one million citizens over three years, supported by a financial portfolio of up to EGP 500 million, in partnership with public and private sector stakeholders.
The initiative includes:
- Vocational training for youth in trades such as plumbing, electricity, carpentry, and solar energy
- Training women in handicrafts and heritage industries, including embroidery, crochet, decoupage, and gemstone crafts
- Ministry of Labor–accredited certificates for trainees
- Workshops on financial inclusion, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship
- Medical convoys providing examinations, treatment, eyewear, and surgeries for eligible cases
Pilot implementation has already covered 42 villages in several governorates, including Menoufia and Gharbia.
Financial Inclusion and Market Access
Ambassador Nabila Makram highlighted that empowerment is a core pillar of the National Alliance’s mission, noting that Tamkeen provides youth with professional skills while enabling women to market their products nationwide, ensuring sustainable income opportunities.
As the initiative’s strategic partner, Banque Misr is delivering a comprehensive suite of banking services to beneficiaries, including:
- Opening bank accounts
- Issuing Meeza cards
- Activating digital wallets
- Providing micro and small business loans
These services support financial inclusion and enable participants to launch and scale income-generating projects.
Building Sustainable Rural Communities
The Tamkeen Initiative reflects Sonaa El Kheir Foundation’s broader mission to shift from short-term assistance to long-term, productivity-driven development, focusing on “training for empowerment.”
By targeting 100 villages annually, the initiative aims to create lasting social and economic impact across rural Egypt, positioning Tamkeen as a scalable model for inclusive growth, employment creation, and community
