“Raising Environmentally Friendly Generations”… A Top Priority of Phase Seven of the Small Grants Program Children Become “Environmental Ambassadors” in Giza… and Explore Nature’s Secrets at the “Dabbabiya” Reserve in Luxor
Since the launch of Phase Seven of the Small Grants Program (GEF/SGP), the program’s management in Egypt—alongside the NGOs implementing funded projects—has placed environmental awareness among children at the heart of its goals. The aim is to foster active participation in various activities and prepare new generations to become environmentally conscious citizens.
Phase Seven, running from 2022 to 2026, is being implemented across seven governorates in four geographic regions: Cairo and Giza in Greater Cairo, Alexandria and Beheira in the Western Delta, Qena and Luxor in Southern Upper Egypt, and Fayoum. The program’s focus areas include climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, combating land degradation, and reducing the use of persistent organic pollutants.
In Giza, under the “Waraq Green” project aimed at mitigating climate change impacts, the House on the Rock Association held an awareness seminar with primary school students. The session focused on teaching children proper environmental behaviors from an early age so they can become “environmental ambassadors” in their communities. Topics included conserving natural resources, safe waste disposal and recycling, the importance of tree planting and expanding green spaces, and encouraging children to contribute to improving environmental conditions in their local areas.
The association also organized hands-on training for youth volunteers involved in the project. A discussion session introduced their role in spreading environmental awareness and promoting a culture of volunteerism. Additionally, a field campaign targeted workshops and clothing factories in the Waraq area, encouraging owners to adopt a barter model—exchanging fabric waste for goods and services—rather than disposing of it in environmentally harmful ways.
In Luxor, as part of the “Eco-Tourism and Sustainable Management of the Dabbabiya Reserve” project, the Abu Bakr Community Development Association continued its “Little Explorer” program. This initiative includes educational visits for primary and preparatory school students to the reserve, aimed at enhancing observation and discovery skills and encouraging interaction with nature. The children participated in interactive activities led by Dr. Mohamed Abdelghani, Director of the Reserve, to reinforce concepts of sustainability and environmental protection.
The project also organized an educational workshop at the Luxor Public Library, with participation from children in the “Little Explorer” program. This was followed by a field visit to the Dabbabiya Reserve, where children actively engaged in all activities, including learning about the reserve’s components and its rare geological formations. They also attended lectures on the importance of sustainable development, the need to preserve natural resources, and the protection of ecosystems.