'Decent Life' named best development initiative in Arab world

CAIRO - 14 August 2021: The Arab Youth Council for Integrated Development has named the national project for the development of the Egyptian countryside (Decent Life Initiative) as the best development initiative in the Arab world.

The move was made during the council’s 12th festival that is co-organized with the Arab League General Secretariat.

The festival was attended by male and female youths from 21 Arab countries, in addition to a number of Arab public figures.

In 2020, Haya Karima or “Decent Life” was announced as a non-profit organization to implement the objectives of the initiative. A cooperation between three main ministries: Local Development, Social Solidarity and Planning, in addition to the participation of 16 civil society institutions.

The initiative has provided financial support to the most needy citizens, as well as services including medical, residential and job opportunities.

A study by the Egyptian Center for Strategic Studies has revealed how the social initiative “Haya Karima” has changed the livelihoods in the Egyptian villages.

The study said that there was 75 percent of the villages in Egypt suffer apparent shortage in some development sectors, services and facilities such as clean water networks, sanitation and gas, electricity, schools and hospitals.

The study has confirmed that “Haya Karima” has worked to improve the standard of living and provide job opportunities in small and medium enterprises for the poor in the most needy areas.

The second phase of the Haya Karima initiative will target 4,670 villages in the coming two years.