Inclusive and sustainable local economic development in Upper Egypt (SOHAG) – Phase 2 (HAYAT)

Sohag is one of the poorest governorates of Upper Egypt, with a total population of some 4.6 million, of which 1.3 million are poor. 250 of its villages are among the 1,000 poorest in Egypt. Poverty in Sohag is essentially structural and multi-dimensional, deriving from lack of adequate public infrastructure, limited private capital accumulation, low levels of investment in human capital and limited pro-poor programmes.

The Hayat II Project aims at enabling vulnerable individuals and communities to integrate better into local market systems in order to secure more stable flows of income necessary to satisfy basic needs and wants and, in turn, reduce economic insecurity.

The overall goal of the project is to strengthen long-term resilience of communities by improving integration of rural households, farmers, small-scale businesses, youth and women into the local economic systems. The project specifically targets agribusiness and waste management where comparative advantages and potential for economic growth and employment generation are significant, while fostering an entrepreneurial culture among the youth.

The main direct beneficiaries are vulnerable households, farmers, small-scale enterprises, youth and women. Local communities, extension services, education and local development institutions will also benefit from the project’s capacity building activities.

Fase 1 15.11.2012 - 31.12.2021   (Completed)