Economic prospects for young people in rural areas

• Since the political upheaval of February 2011, Egypt has seen a transition process with numerous ups and downs. Currently, the political climate is marked by plarization and new authoritarian tendencies that curtail basic rights and freedoms.
• One of the main triggers of the popular uprisings in Egypt in early 2011 was the absence of socially inslucive economic growth generating sufficient jobs. The post-revolution period saw a sharp economic downturn that hit the vulnerable economies in Upper Egypt hardest and has further fuelled the already significant migration from Upper Egypt towards urban centres of Lower Egypt.
• Aswan with its five districts Edfu, Aswan, Kom Ombo, Nasr El Nuba, and Daraw has 1.2 million inhabitants, 57% of whom live in rural areas. Aswan suffers from high illiteracy and poverty rates and was less fortunate in receiving donor support in the past.
• The local economy in Aswan is undiversified with a very weak industiral sector which generates very few economic opportunities especially for the youth. In 2010, the unemployment rate in Aswan was estimated to be 19%, with higher rates for women and youth. It is expected to have significantly risen since the revolution.
• Government plans to address youth unemployment have been stalled with the political instability; recently launched labor-intensive projects will hardly reach rural and remote governorates like Aswan. 

The overall goal of the proposed interverntion is to increase and sustain income and employment for young women and men in the Aswan governorate. 

• Direct beneficiaries: In terms of individuals, the project will target 6500 young women and men (below 40 years of age) with varying qualifications in Aswan Governorate mainly in the districts of Edfu, Kom Ombo, Nasr El Nouba and Daraw. In terms of institutions, the project will target 20 cooperatives and NGOs  including MFIs.
• Indirect beneficiaries: household members of the target young women and men and the communities and beneficiaries served by the target cooperatives and NGos. 

Outcome 1: Increased production or revenue and profits for farmers, fishermen, traders and processors in the horticulture, livestock, aquaculture and fisheries value chain.

Outcome 2: Improved enabling environment for the development of new and existing horticulture, livestock, aquaculture and fisheries businesses in Aswan. 

Expected results:  

1.1 Value chain stakeholders have improved access to high quality inputs.

1.2 Stakeholders along the selected value chains adopt best practices.

1.3 Stakeholders along the value chains have better access to markets.

1.4 Value adding activities are introduced or improved in the selected value chains.

2.1 The access of stakeholders along the selected value chains to technical and market information is facilitated by the Aswan Service Center (ASC).

2.2 Existing and new businesses have improved access to micro finance.

2.3 Entrepreneurs in the value chains have improved access to entrepreneurship training and support.

2.4 Strong, business-oriented NGOs and cooperatives improve theri services and are better able to advocate for the interest of their constituencies. 

Results from previous phases:  

During the opening credit, the implementation of the project was tendered. During a three-month inception phase a more substantial market analysis was conducted to improve project design and intervention strategy. 

• Possible synergies will be sought with the ILO, FAO, IOM, WFP, other donors, local NGOs and cooperatives.
• SDC and SECO - funded projects including the Improving Emlployment and Income through Development of Egypt's Aquaculture Sector (IEIDEAS) project of World Fish and the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants project of UNIDO.
• The Aswan Governorate, other relevant local authorities and national ministires. 

Phase 1 01.01.2013 - 31.05.2019   (Completed)