The social‑development sector of AICS Cairo operates within a policy framework that has placed individual and social justice among Egypt’s main development objectives to be achieved by 2030 (Egypt Vision 2030). Egypt is focusing on improving healthcare, providing quality education, reducing poverty and offering social support to those it considers a priority, including women, children, young people and persons with disabilities.
Through its development cooperation interventions, Italy contributes to this social vision based on equity and inclusion, so as to “leave no one behind”, in line with the aspirations of the 2030 Agenda, with funding of approximately €15 million through seven ongoing grant-based initiatives.
The initiatives make use of the multi-bilateral channel, in partnership with UNICEF and the ILO, agreements with Italian universities (Article 24 of Italian Law 125/2014), and direct management.
The protection systems supported by AICS Cairo in Egypt are:
- Child protection
Strengthening the alternative care system for children without family care in Egypt (UNICEF, €1.5 million) to improve access to and the quality of child protection services for children at risk and/or who have suffered violence, particularly those without parental care.
Combating the worst forms of child labour in small-scale industries and on the streets, and contributing to the implementation of Egypt’s National Action Plan (ILO, €1.5 million). The project supports the implementation of the National Action Plan to combat the worst forms of child labour and to support families in Egypt, 2018–2025 (NAP).
Strengthening child protection systems to safeguard children and adolescents at risk of irregular migration or human trafficking, and their families (Nagah) (UNICEF, €5 million). The intervention strategy aims to help integrate social protection and child protection systems in order to tackle various aspects of child poverty and deprivation, including the risks associated with irregular migration, human trafficking and smuggling.
Restorative approach to juvenile justice: socio-educational models for social reintegration and alternative measures to detention (UNICEF use of remaining funds amounting to approximately €60,000) to promote the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the national law on children’s rights in the field of juvenile justice.
Different abilities, unlimited possibilities: expanding access to inclusive education for children with disabilities in Egypt (UNICEF, €3 million): The programme aims to improve the implementation of educational policies for the inclusion of children in 200 state primary schools in the Aswan Governorate, as well as through advocacy, data collection, technical support for curriculum reform, teacher training, capacity-building for national and sub-national officials, and the strengthening of non-formal support networks, civil society and parents’ networks.
Promoting the rights and social inclusion of persons with disabilities in Egypt (AICS Cairo, €1.6 million): the project aims to contribute to the full implementation of the United Nations Convention and Egyptian Law No. 10 of 2018 on the rights of persons with disabilities, in order to promote, protect and guarantee the human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities.
- Equitable access to high-quality basic services (health)
Support for the improvement of medical and nursing care in Egypt – Phase III (University of Sassari-UNISS, €3.5 million) to strengthen medical and nursing training, improve the clinical management of patients awaiting bone marrow transplants, and enhance screening and treatment for paediatric congenital heart disease in the Governorates of Cairo, Giza, Alexandria and Port Said.