The Executive Director of Egypt's Rural and Environmental Industries Support Fund, Engie El-Yamani, participated in the Impact Forum organized by Sawiris Foundation and J-PAL MENA at the American University in Cairo. The forum brought together leaders from the private sector, banking sector, development institutions, and donor agencies. Discussions focused on directing community investments and resources towards programs and interventions that can achieve tangible and sustainable results.
The forum explored mechanisms for utilizing data, knowledge, and scientific evidence to support decision-making and transform research findings into practical applications. The discussions were moderated by Leila Hosny, Executive Director of Sawiris Foundation, and Dr. Ahmed El-Sayed, Executive Director of J-PAL MENA. The focus was on the importance of moving beyond evaluating initiatives based solely on expenditure or the number of beneficiaries.
Engie El-Yamani highlighted the importance of evidence-based decision-making and utilizing successful international experiences when developing programs. She showcased the "Bab Amal" program, which is part of the strategic financial framework for economic empowerment. The program aims to provide financing options for people with disabilities, enhancing their access to sustainable economic and productive opportunities.
El-Yamani emphasized the significance of studying the mechanisms of social and developmental programs and extracting relevant lessons for the Egyptian context. She cited the experience of Grameen Bank and other social banking models as examples of successful programs that can be adapted to meet local needs. The use of evidence and international experiences can help develop effective financing models that maximize the impact of available resources.
The Executive Director of the Rural and Environmental Industries Support Fund stressed that the success of corporate social responsibility initiatives should not be measured solely by expenditure or the number of beneficiaries. Instead, the focus should be on the extent to which these initiatives achieve real and sustainable change. El-Yamani also highlighted the importance of aligning corporate social responsibility efforts with national priorities and strategies.
Leila Hosny, Executive Director of Sawiris Foundation, emphasized the importance of using evidence and measurement in decision-making to identify programs that achieve tangible results. She noted that partnerships between organizations can facilitate the sharing of expertise and resources, leading to more effective and scalable interventions. The collaboration between Sawiris Foundation and J-PAL MENA aims to promote evidence-based approaches in development work.
Dr. Ahmed El-Sayed, Executive Director of J-PAL MENA, explained that the organization's role is to assist organizations in evaluating the impact of their social programs using scientific evidence. He highlighted the importance of rigorous evaluation methodologies, including randomized controlled trials, to measure the effectiveness of social programs and ensure that they achieve their intended objectives. The forum provided a platform for stakeholders to share experiences and expertise in achieving sustainable development outcomes.
Key points
- Egypt's Rural and Environmental Industries Support Fund participates in the Impact Forum to promote evidence-based approaches in development work.
- The forum aims to direct community investments and resources towards programs and interventions that can achieve tangible and sustainable results.
- The use of evidence and international experiences can help develop effective financing models that maximize the impact of available resources.
