Solidarity and dignity... 10 years of supporting sustainable development
Solidarity and dignity...10 years in supporting sustainable development
Amidst a broad national and international presence, and in an event that reflected great official and popular momentum, Egypt celebrated the tenth anniversary of the launch of the “Solidarity and Dignity” conditional cash support program, one of the most important pillars of the social protection system in Egypt, which was launched in 2015 with a national presidential initiative based on a fair development vision.
The official ceremony to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the launch of the “Solidarity and Dignity” program was held on Sunday, May 5, 2024, in the New Administrative Capital, with a high-level presence that included a number of ministers, reflecting the weight of the event on the national and international scene, where the ranks were led by Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, along with a number of prominent government figures, including Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population, and Dr. Rania. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, and Dr. Maya Morsi, Minister of Social Solidarity.
Representatives of the international community participated in the event, including Mr. Stephane Gimpert, Country Director of the World Bank, Ms. Elena Panova, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Egypt, and Mr. Gareth Bailey, Ambassador of the United Kingdom, in addition to other prominent figures from the government, civil society and international organizations. Which reflects the expanding circle of interest in the Egyptian model of social protection and sustainable development.
“Solidarity and Dignity” is a historical social program
This qualitative event came at a pivotal stage in the Egyptian state’s march towards building a more comprehensive and just society, as Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, indicated that the “Solidarity and Dignity” program is not only considered one of the greatest social protection programs in the history of Egypt, but has become a mirror that reflects the state’s firm vision in preserving the dignity of the citizen and supporting the most vulnerable groups.
He explained that the Egyptian state, since the launch of the program in 2015, has been keen to adopt an approach that leaves no one behind, explaining that social protection has transformed from mere emergency initiatives into a pivotal policy that consolidates the concept of social justice in the new republic.
Pillars of sustainable development
In her speech during the celebration, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, highlighted the integrative dimensions achieved by the program, stressing that it has become an effective platform for enhancing investment in human capital, by linking cash support to health and education. She pointed out that “Solidarity and Karama” was not limited to providing financial support, but rather developed to reflect the concepts of sustainability and human dignity, and embodies the state’s approach towards building a flexible and comprehensive social safety network. Al-Mashat explained that the program represents one of the pillars of development. Sustainable social and economic development, especially in light of its targeting of the most vulnerable groups, and the integration of its efforts with national initiatives such as “A Decent Life.”
In this context, the Minister of Planning revealed the allocation of about 327billion pounds for human development investments in the 2025/2026 plan, an annual increase of 22%; This reflects the state's commitment to enhancing human capital as a national priority. The program is also a strategic tool in reducing poverty and enhancing social protection, especially in rural areas and villages most in need, which is consistent with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
International partnerships to enhance sustainability
Cooperation with the World Bank has formed a fundamental pillar in the success of the “Solidarity and Dignity” program, as officials indicated that the concessional development financing obtained by Egypt exceeded $1.4 billion, equivalent to 70 billion pounds, and these funds were employed not only in providing cash support, but also in developing mechanisms for disbursing it, through “Meeza” cards, digitizing distribution procedures, and expanding monitoring and evaluation tools.
Al-Mashat stressed that the Egyptian state has succeeded in formulating flexible agreements with development partners, in accordance with its national priorities, as an additional $25 million has been allocated to enable beneficiary families to obtain financing for micro-projects, and this empowerment aims to transform families deserving of support into productive families capable of securing a sustainable income, which is considered a realistic application of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Forsa Program, the link between support and empowerment
The “Opportunity for Economic Empowerment” program of the Ministry of Social Solidarity is an integrated extension of the “Solidarity and Dignity” program, as it seeks to empower beneficiaries economically through training and qualification for the labor market, with a focus on enhancing women’s participation. Statistics indicate that 75% of support card holders are women; Which highlights the vital role of women in leading the process of social and economic empowerment.
The goal of this program is to build the capabilities of individuals and motivate them to engage in productive activities. This accelerates the local economy and expands the base of community participation, which reflects the state’s vision of transforming social protection from a tool for support into a means of self-empowerment and sustainable development.
Tangible results of the “Solidarity and Dignity” program
The number of families benefiting from the “Solidarity and Dignity” program reached more than 4.6 million families, with a total ofabout 17 million beneficiariesdirect and indirect. Evaluative indicators showed that 63% of the families included adhered to the education conditions, and 51% of them adhered to the health conditions, while 100% of the beneficiaries received support through electronic means; Which reflects the efficiency of the program’s digital transformation.
One of the most prominent fruits of this achievement is motivating marginalized groups to attend education and obtain health care. Which enhances human development opportunities and raises the efficiency of national human capital, which is one of the basic pillars for achieving comprehensive and sustainable growth.
TheProtectors of the Earth believes that after ten years of continuous work, the “Solidarity and Dignity” program has become more than just a cash support mechanism, but has turned into an integrated model for social justice and sustainable development. It also realizes that what has been achieved reflects the state’s ability to manage social protection files efficiently and with broad partnership, and is evidence that investing in people is the best way to achieve sustainable development.
