Launch of the Civil Society Support Fund - Speech by Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst

Launch of the Civil Society Support Fund - Speech by Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst

Ministers, distinguished guests, dear colleagues,

We are here today with a shared commitment. There's a strong business case and a strong human case for a dynamic, independent, and impactful civil society in Egypt.

Her Excellency Dr. Maya Morsy, Minister of Social Solidarity, and our partners at the Ministry of Social Solidarity, thank you for your leadership and vision in making the Civil Society Support Fund a reality.

The European Union and Egypt are close neighbours and strategic partners with a long history of meaningful friendship. The stability and prosperity of people on both sides of the Mediterranean is a shared interest.

In particular since our two Presidents sealed our partnership, we saw a number of positive developments. Today's launch is a clear example.

It marks a renewal of the partnership between the state, the civil society, and international partners, in support of inclusive development and citizen engagement.

It is a major step forward for Egypt's broader civil society ecosystem. It reflects our shared determination to strengthen civic space and promote inclusive, citizen-driven development.

The challenges faced by communities are complex and evolving, and civil society must be equipped to respond to their needs. The Civil Society Support Fund has the potential to become a true cornerstone of that response.

Civil society organizations play an essential role, contributing to the government efforts towards achievement of the development goals as laid out in Egypt Vision 2030.

We believe that a vibrant, independent, and empowered civil society is fundamental to sustainable development. Civil society is not merely a beneficiary of policy - it is a vital contributor to innovation, accountability, and social resilience.

What counts is the participatory spirit behind it. The inclusive process engaging local CSOs, youth groups, academics, private sector actors, and public institutions has helped shape a national mechanism rooted in the needs and perspectives of the affected groups.

Let me conclude once again by thanking all the partners - the Ministry of Social Solidarity, GIZ, the CSF team, and the dedicated CSOs - on this achievement.