In a move signaling Egypt’s growing emphasis on sustainable development and inclusive economic innovation, Minister of Social Solidarity Dr. Maya Morsy convened with the Board of Trustees of the Delta Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship to discuss enhanced collaboration with the Fund for the Support of Rural and Environmental Industries. The high-level meeting, held at the Ministry’s headquarters, focused on aligning efforts to stimulate grassroots entrepreneurship, especially among women and youth in rural communities.
The Delta Foundation was represented by Dr. Nevine El-Tahri, Chair of the Board of Trustees; Ms. Iffat El-Shawky, Co-Chair; along with board members Ms. Nermeen El-Tahri, and Ms. Mona Galal. Also in attendance were Ms. Mona Mamoun, the Foundation’s Program Director; Ms. Engy El-Yamani, Executive Director of the Rural and Environmental Industries Fund; and Mr. Hesham Mohamed, Chief of Staff to the Minister.
Empowering Rural Economies through Innovation
The meeting served as a platform to examine synergies between the Ministry’s fund—which supports the development of rural industries across Egypt—and Delta’s unique community-oriented model of entrepreneurship. As Egypt faces the rippling effects of global economic shifts, both entities acknowledged the urgency of innovative, locally driven solutions to stabilize and grow rural economies.
Dr. Morsy emphasized the importance of forging dynamic partnerships that can respond to economic volatility with agility and inclusiveness. “In this transformative phase for Egypt’s economy,” she noted, “empowering rural communities through entrepreneurship is not merely a development goal—it is a national imperative.”
Delta Foundation: A Model of Community-Centered Impact
During the discussion, the Delta Foundation outlined its vision for building a “Community Value Chain”, an inclusive ecosystem designed to ensure equitable impact across all local stakeholders. This model seeks to connect businesses operating across various stages of the agricultural and production life cycle, maximizing the benefits of collaborative work and shared capital, while placing particular focus on marginalized groups—especially women and youth.
The Foundation’s programs prioritize scalable impact through social innovation and collective economic empowerment, presenting a model well-aligned with the Fund’s objectives of supporting sustainable livelihoods and fostering rural resilience.
Toward a Joint Action Framework
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to advancing a shared agenda that encompasses:
- Joint initiatives targeting rural entrepreneurship.
- Capacity-building programs tailored to local economic challenges.
- Support for creative industries and environmentally sustainable practices.
- Expanding market access for micro and small enterprises in underserved areas.
The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding to build a strategic action framework in the coming months, underpinned by a shared vision of social innovation, sustainability, and inclusive development.
