Sawiris Foundation for Social Development

Sawiris Foundation for Social Development
مؤسسة ساويرس للتنمية الإجتماعية
Founded2001
TypeNon-profit
Location
Key people
Mohamed I Shaker (Chairman)
Ismail Serageldin (Vice-Chairman)
WebsiteOfficial website

Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (Arabic: مؤسسة ساويرس للتنمية الإجتماعية) is an Egyptian charity organization linked to the Sawiris Family established in 2001 and a prominent institution of economic and social aid in Egypt. It has been described as "Egypt's first modern family grant-making foundation".[1]

History

The foundation was established with support from Yousreya Loza-Sawiris [ar] with support from Ibrahim Shihata.[1][2]

Initially funded with an endowment of corporate shares, this arrangement was challenged by the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the shares were liquidated, and the foundation now has a cash endowment.[1]

Activities

Its activities include:

  • Creating projects that provide job opportunities for Egyptians, including the 'Yalla neshtaghal' programme for the garment industry[3]
  • Training particularly in economic sectors and professions that are not adequately available in the Egyptian market
  • Placement of qualified Egyptians in the job market[4]
  • Scholarships in various colleges and universities with particular programs for scholarships at Queen Mary at University of London and at ETH Zurich.

Since 2005, the foundation also distributes annual literary prizes under the name Sawiris Foundation Awards for Egyptian Literature (in Arabic جائزة مؤسسة ساويرس للأدب المصري) in novels, story collections, short stories, best scenario on long feature movies, best first-time scenario written for cinema.[5] Among the recent winners is novelist Reem Bassiouney.

The Sawiris Foundation is recognised for evaluating the impact of its interventions, including through randomized controlled trials.[6]

Governance

References

  1. ^ a b c Ibrahim, Barbara; Sherif, Dina H. (2008). From Charity to Social Change: Trends in Arab Philanthropy. American University in Cairo Press. ISBN 978-977-416-207-7.
  2. ^ Mahajan, Vijay (2012-07-13). The Arab World Unbound: Tapping into the Power of 350 Million Consumers. John Wiley & Sons. p. 67. ISBN 978-1-118-23642-0.
  3. ^ Youth and Skills: Putting Education to Work. UNESCO. 2012-01-01. ISBN 978-92-3-104240-9.
  4. ^ Ridge, Natasha Y.; Terway, Arushi (2019). Philanthropy in Education: Diverse Perspectives and Global Trends. Edward Elgar Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78990-412-3.
  5. ^ Masrawi.com: Annual prize winners of the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (in Arabic)
  6. ^ Siddiqui, Shariq A.; Campbell, David A. (2023-06-01). Philanthropy in the Muslim World: Majority and Minority Muslim Communities. Edward Elgar Publishing. ISBN 978-1-0353-0657-2.