Egypt and Canada Partner on EGP 552m Grants for Women, Food Security, and Refugee Support
New projects target female empowerment, nutrition, and refugee welfare across Egypt’s key regions.
Egypt has signed three grant agreements with Canada worth around EGP 552 million to fund initiatives in women’s empowerment, food security, and refugee support, according to the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation. The agreements were signed by Minister Rania Al-Mashat and Canada’s Ambassador to Egypt, Ulric Shannon.
Prior to these new grants, Canadian cooperation in Egypt totaled approximately CA$40 million (EGP 1.4 billion), supporting sectors such as economic development, health, education, and climate-smart agriculture. The new funding expands this portfolio through three targeted initiatives across various governorates.
The first initiative, “Comprehensive Support for Refugee Women and Girls in Egypt,” aims to improve social inclusion and protection for vulnerable female refugees. Implemented by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), it will operate in Greater Cairo, Alexandria, Damietta, and Aswan, focusing on better living standards and access to essential services.
The second project, “Food for the Future,” addresses nutrition for mothers and girls. Designed to enhance healthcare quality and nutritional outcomes, it complements existing education and training programs. UNICEF, in collaboration with Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population, will implement this initiative in Assiut, Qena, Sohag, Sharkia, Gharbia, Beheira, Cairo, and Giza.
The third program, “Empowering Women and Adolescent Girls in Upper Egypt (Masarat),” targets gender equality and access to reproductive health services. This project will be executed by the Ministry of Health and the National Council for Women in Assiut and Minya, focusing on empowering women and adolescent girls in these regions.
Minister Al-Mashat highlighted that the initiatives cover a wide geographical area, from Upper Egypt to the Nile Delta and major metropolitan areas, aligning with Egypt’s broader sustainable development goals. These projects aim to provide meaningful social support, improve health and nutrition, and strengthen opportunities for women and vulnerable populations across the country.
