Implementing Sustainable Systems To Improve Community Livelihood And Increase Tourism

Challenge

The USAID-funded project sought to engage local Red Sea residents equitably in the economic, social and cultural benefits generated by the tourism sector in their governorate, with a focus on job creation and the protection, management, and sustainable use of the community’s natural and cultural assets. As part of the consortium implementing this project, CID was responsible for designing a new approach to solid waste management that was sustainable, effective, and inclusive.

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Approach

While the specific objective for this project was to introduce a new approach for community-based solid waste management, there was a much larger overall objective which we were working towards: promoting sustainable natural and cultural tourism development in the region which satisfies the influx of tourists and their needs, without disrupting – and, in fact, benefitting – the lives of local residents. Working closely with the project’s partners and the local community we were able to introduce at-source segregation schemes for the first time in the Red Sea. This system was complemented by a series of new initiatives, including waste recovery, transportation and recycling schemes; Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs); clean-up campaigns; controlled dumpsites and cross-cutting environmental education, awareness and communications activities. All of these important strands of work helped us to realize the refreshed, progressive vision and system for the region which we had established.

Results

Through implementing these processes, we were able to enhance the competitiveness of Egypt in the fast-growing international tourism market. As a result of our three-year engagement on the project we also helped ensure the protection, management and sustainable use of the natural assets upon which the Southern Red Sea Region’s community’s livelihoods are based. Most rewardingly of all, we were then able to communicate this to the region’s inhabitants – discussing the economic, social and cultural benefits increased tourism would have, including those new job opportunities which would be created.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Plan International has been working very intensively with a very high qualified and motivated team of professionals from CID, to develop a new communication strategy. In our efforts to raise our profile and be better place to advocate for children’s rights in Egypt, CID has help us identify the level of awareness there is in Egypt and develop specific communication messages and tactics for our target audiences.CID managed to develop an excellent strategy ensuring full staff participation and Plan's ownership of the process, which is something very difficult to get when outsourcing external consultancies.

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E. Mac Abbey
Global Advisors Team Senior Manager, Plan International

This is to express my great gratitude to CID for a long, impactful, and economically successful partnership and cooperation over several decades. GFA has cooperated with CID at multiple fronts and implemented dozens of multi-million Euro projects and studies related to the development of the Egyptian economy in particular to, private sector development, industrial reform, and vocational training.The partnership was strong and grew even stronger in troubled times, resting on the trust built over time and the dedication of both teams to outstanding quality standards in service delivery.

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Klaus Altemeier
Managing Director of GFA (1993 - 2019)