Sawiris Foundation for Social Development and CARE Egypt Launch the “First Forum for Egyptian Civil Society” to Strengthen the Role of Civil Society Organizations in Egypt

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the “First Egyptian Civil Society Forum” was launched today in Cairo. Taking place over two days (6–7 April) as part of the “Capacity Building of Egyptian Non-Governmental Organizations Project”, the forum aims to strengthen the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) as key partners in achieving sustainable development and building more resilient and inclusive communities capable of responding to current and future challenges.
The Forum was held in the framework of a strategic partnership between Sawiris Foundation for Social Development and CARE Egypt Foundation, with the prominent participation of the National Alliance for Civil Development Work and the Civil Society Support Fund.
The launch took place in the presence of Her Excellency Ambassador Nabila Makram, Head of the Technical Secretariat of the National Alliance for Civil Development Work; Dr. Ahmed Saada, Executive Director of the Civil Society Support Fund and representative of the Ministry of Social Solidarity; Eng. Hoda Dahroug, Advisor to the Minister for Digital Community Development at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT); Ms. Laila Hosny, Executive Director of Sawiris Foundation for Social Development; and Ms. Vivian Thabet, CEO of CARE Egypt Foundation.
The Forum reflects the growing role of the civil society sector in Egypt, which comprises approximately 50,000 registered organizations serving more than 20 million Egyptians, which highlights the significant potential for advancing partnership-based development, particularly amid challenges related to financing and the sustainability of development programs.
It acts as a platform that brings together CSOs with representatives from government, the private sector, research and academic institutions, and funding entities in a shared space for dialogue on the future of development work in Egypt. Discussions focused on enhancing evidence-based development approaches, localizing development through strengthening community-based institutions and building their institutional and technical capacities.
The first day featured a high-level opening session showcasing the achievements of the Capacity Building of Egyptian Non-Governmental Organizations Project, highlighting the integrated methodology for assessing and developing CSO capacities, as well as presenting inspiring success stories and future directions. The day also included a high-level dialogue with Eng. Hoda Dahroug, on the potential of digital transformation in supporting civil and development work in Egypt.
Sessions also addressed the role of the Civil Society Support Fund in strengthening CSOs and improving the enabling environment for development work. In parallel breakout sessions, experts discussed two key empowerment pillars: evidence-based development to enhance impact through improved resource allocation, and localization of development through empowering locally led initiatives and community participation in program design to ensure effectiveness.
The second day of the Forum focused on knowledge sharing, enhancing the sustainability of development work, and strengthening cross-sector partnerships. The National Alliance presented its vision for collaboration in the development sector and its latest initiatives.
The Forum concluded with extended discussions on digital transformation and artificial intelligence in improving resource management efficiency, alongside sessions on the financial sustainability of organizations through innovative models such as social entrepreneurship, micro-equity, and private sector partnerships.
In this context, Vivian Thabet, CEO of CARE Egypt Foundation, stated: “Through this Forum, we reaffirm CARE Egypt’s continued commitment to building the capacities of our partner non-governmental organizations, as a fundamental entry point to serving the most vulnerable communities. This stems from our strategic vision to eradicate poverty and actively contribute to social justice. We will continue to create shared spaces for dialogue and engagement among all actors in civil development work, as a key enabler to overcoming challenges and adopting the latest tools to respond to evolving realities with flexibility and innovation.”
Laila Hosny, Executive Director of Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, added: “For 25 years, the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development has invested in people and in building the capacities of changemakers, guided by the firm belief that development is not achieved through funding alone, but through empowering individuals and institutions capable of creating sustainable impact within their communities. Throughout this journey, the Foundation has adopted an evidence-based effective altruism philosophy, which has enabled us to better allocate resources to maximize development impact and ensure its sustainability. The current development landscape requires all development partners to rethink how they work together in a more integrated and impactful way, as fragmented interventions are no longer sufficient. Instead, we need a collaborative development ecosystem built on knowledge exchange, joint planning, and institutions capable of learning, evolving, and sustaining impact. We hope this Forum is a step toward building a shared vision for the future of development in Egypt, moving from isolated efforts to integrated action, and from short-term results to long-lasting impact for generations to come.”
The Forum concluded with a closing ceremony honoring the training centers and civil society staff who contributed to the capacity-building program, along with sharing findings that can serve as a roadmap to enhance the sustainability and impact of development work in Egypt, in alignment with Egypt Vision 2030.