As part of the cooperation protocol between the "New Egypt" Community Development Foundation and the Ministry of Environment.

New Egypt Foundation Organizes Environmental Awareness Trip to Wadi El Rayan for Children in Celebration of World Environment Day

Wadi El Rayan, Egypt – June 2024

In celebration of World Environment Day 2024, the New Egypt Foundation for Community Development, in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Environment, organized a special environmental trip to the Wadi El Rayan Nature Reserve in Fayoum. The event welcomed 100 children, including a number of children with special needs, as part of ongoing efforts to foster environmental awareness, inclusion, and community participation in protecting Egypt’s natural heritage.

🌿 Education, Inclusion, and Environmental Protection

This initiative falls under the cooperation protocol between the New Egypt Foundation and the Ministry of Environment, aimed at promoting sustainable development, eco-education, and community-driven conservation.

During the visit, children participated in a cleanup campaign inside the reserve to highlight the importance of waste management, especially in protected areas. The campaign focused on the dangers of plastic pollution, its impact on biodiversity and ecosystems, and the role individuals—especially youth—can play in reducing environmental harm.

🎨 Interactive Learning for Young Environmentalists

In addition to the cleanup initiative, the children engaged in recreational and creative activities, including:

• Pottery making

• Painting sessions

• Environmental-themed competitions

These hands-on experiences allowed participants to connect with nature, express their creativity, and internalize environmental values in an accessible and enjoyable way.

“Raising awareness among children is one of the most effective long-term strategies to ensure the future of our planet,” said Dr. Ghada Ali, MP and Board Member of the New Egypt Foundation, who attended the event alongside:

• Mr. Mohamed Mostafa, Board Member

• Mr. John Fikry, Secretary-General of the Foundation

🤝 Cooperation for Sustainable Community Impact

This visit is one of many initiatives under the foundation’s strategic partnership with the Ministry of Environment, focusing on:

• Launching pilot environmental projects

• Implementing community-based solutions to ecological challenges

• Promoting green livelihoods through small eco-projects

• Engaging women and marginalized groups in environmental efforts

• Training environmental leaders and building capacity across governorates

• Establishing volunteer networks and supporting field visits

• Promoting eco-tourism and expanding green spaces

🌍 Our Planet, Our Future: A Shared Responsibility

This year’s World Environment Day theme, “Our Planet, Our Future… Together We Restore Our Earth,” aligns perfectly with the Foundation’s mission of inclusive environmental education and civic engagement. The event at Wadi El Rayan showcased how inclusive community initiatives can shape a generation of environmentally conscious citizens ready to lead change.