Cairo: EFG Social Development Foundation, the non-profit, non-governmental organization of EFG Holding, is pleased to announce that it has won first place in the Smart Green Project Competition organized by the Luxor National Smart Green Project Initiative, In the non-profit project category, the award was awarded for its Green Footprint Initiative. The foundation has secured a place among the national-level finalists and the opportunity to attend COP28 in the UAE. The initiative aims to create a sustainable smart green community model and implement it in every village and hamlet in Egypt. The initiative combines economic development with environmental and social benefits, promoting digital transformation and financial inclusion.
The Green Footprint initiative focuses on empowering employed and unemployed women to become agents of change in their homes and provide an additional source of income and promote children’s health and education through planting roofs and balconies, utilizing unused spaces and reducing carbon emissions.
The initiative is built on three main pillars, each contributing to its impact and success. First of all, the environmental goal is to reduce carbon emissions by an average of 137 kilograms per square meter per year. Secondly, the social aspect of the initiative focuses on training and empowering women to improve their living standards and promote behavioral change within families. Finally, the economic aspect focuses on producing sustainable natural products and establishing e-commerce platforms for digital transactions, supporting Egypt’s digital transformation and financial inclusion strategies. By integrating technology, the program ensures efficiency, transparency and accessibility for all.
The project strategically utilizes the rooftops and balconies of residential and nearby buildings as locations for operations, chosen for their cost-effectiveness and convenience, especially for women. Aloe vera is carefully selected as the main crop and thrives in the high temperatures of Luxor Province. This versatile plant is suitable for use in a variety of products, from cosmetics and medical supplies to dietary supplements. Smart irrigation technology and water-saving measures are used to ensure responsible resource management and minimize water consumption during aloe vera cultivation. Additionally, the project promotes sustainability by recycling air conditioning and solar panel cleaning wastewater. To reach a wider audience, utilize multiple marketing channels such as bazaars, hotels and online platforms to effectively promote and sell products while authentically representing the character and culture of Luxor Province.
Mona Zulficar, Non-Executive Chairman of EFG Holding and Chairman of EFG Social Development Foundation commented: “The Green Footprint Initiative is a natural extension of the comprehensive sustainability model promoted by the EFG Foundation, which continuously strives to meet modern challenges and increase climate resilience while embracing digitalization. Through its projects, the EFG Foundation takes a holistic approach to achieve a sustainable future that not only focuses on progress but creates lasting impact.
Hanaa Helmy, Chief Corporate Sustainability and Impact Officer, EFG Holding Group and CEO, EFG Foundation commented: “We are proud to receive recognition from the National Smart Green Projects Initiative for our efforts and achievements through the Green Footprint Initiative, a comprehensive initiative to promote economic development, impact on women Make an environmental and social impact. We believe that women “are catalysts for change.” By cultivating roofs with their potential, we are building a future where sustainability and empowerment go hand in hand. “
To support the initiative, the EFG Foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and the National Institute of Governance and Sustainable Development, launched the “She for Sustainability” training program for 50 women. The training is divided into two phases, two phases each. The first phase consists of a theoretical phase focused on raising awareness of sustainable development, climate change and the circular economy. Then comes the practical phase, which focuses on growing techniques and raw material extraction. The second phase includes a “train the trainer” program that focuses on teaching participants about entrepreneurship and marketing to help them execute their projects. Developing women’s business acumen is not only critical for progress, but also enables them to achieve sustained success in new ventures and create ripple effects in surrounding communities through knowledge transfer.
The impact of the Green Footprint Initiative has been huge. In the first phase, in addition to recycling solid and organic waste and implementing dialogue measures, a reduction of 3 tons of carbon emissions per year has been achieved. It also achieved a 68% return on investment and created 100 new jobs. Bringing additional income of EGP 12,000 to EGP 15,000 per year to the family, contributing to their well-being. The initiative proudly achieves 14 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations and is in line with Egypt’s 2030 strategy.
The initiative is based on the sustainable development model successfully implemented by the EFG Foundation in the Al-Deir community of Esna, where the foundation has been operating since 2017. The Foundation has achieved impressive results through its projects that have had a transformative impact on local communities. These achievements include the establishment of a health unit serving 75,000 people, a water network serving 15,000 people, and the training of more than 300 young men and women in the Montessori method. We also established the Little Scientist Academy Nursery, employing 50 teachers and educating 400 students with unique abilities from the Montessori and Inclusion departments. In addition, the foundation successfully upgraded the sewerage network, built a pumping station for 15,000 people and built 160 housing units in partnership with the “Haya Karima” programme.
About the EFG Foundation
As part of its social responsibility to the communities in which it operates, EFG Holding established the EFG Foundation, a non-profit, non-governmental organization in 2006.
The Foundation aims to make a positive difference in local communities by supporting innovative and sustainable programs that help people and institutions overcome society’s financial, educational and health-related challenges, increase opportunities for those most in need. The EFG Foundation focuses on comprehensive development projects in Egypt, helping to combat widespread diseases and supporting holistic development initiatives in the areas of housing, water, sanitation and income generation.
Since its establishment, the foundation has played an important role in social development by collaborating with well-known institutions and non-governmental organizations to carry out multiple projects, including but not limited to hepatitis C awareness and prevention; hepatitis B vaccination activities for college students; small credit; Beni Sweif’s Ezbet Yacoub poverty alleviation work and recent collaboration with the Egyptian People Support Kuwait Initiative in the village of Al Makhzan, Qena; support for health education projects at Assiut University; support for children with cerebral palsy; partnership with KidZania Collaborate to support educational programs.
EFG Foundation is also committed to empowering youth through sustainable development programs that leverage our financial expertise and talent to create sustainable value for our stakeholders and communities. Contributions include projects in education, environment, youth mentoring and employment.
To learn more about us, please visit www.efghermesfoundation.org
For more information please contact:
May El Gamal
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, EFG Group
melgammal@efg-hermes.com
omar salama
EFG Holdings Communications Manager
osalama@efg-hermes.com
Eingfeng Bank Public Relations Team
PublicRelations@EFG-Hermes.com
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