GEBAL Brings the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Program to Egypt
GEBAL is implementing the US Forest Service’s Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Program in Egypt. The Programme, which operates around the world, provides young people with a paid experience to work on environmental conservation projects that generate knowledge and awareness of environmental issues as well as stewardship for the environment. In addition to this, the combination of interactive teaching sessions, practical learning, and hands-on work encourages young people to venture out into green careers.
YCC Program Locations in Egypt: El Heiz and Dandara
In Egypt, the YCC Program operates in two locations: The Western Desert Oasis of El Heiz and the Upper Egyptian community of Dandara. In each location, 15 young women and men are recruited locally to join the paid program. In setting up the program, GEBAL worked closely with its partners in both communities, as well as with the program participants, to design program content based on the interests and career aspirations of young people, as well as on the living and working conditions of each place.
Empowering Young Women in El Heiz
The YCC program kicked off in El Heiz in June 2024 with the women’s cohort. Young women in the Western Desert oasis marry early and engage in the household economy. Besides household work, this includes processing agricultural products, such as pickling, drying, harvesting, and packaging, as well as raising poultry around the extended family home.
Young women in El Heiz expressed interest in learning practical skills that would help them open household businesses, such as handicrafts based on natural materials and nature themes, as well as producing natural cosmetics and care products from local ingredients. Over a course of 9 weeks, the 15 YCC women took courses in cosmetics, sewing, stitching, as well as in business development. The program strengthened the sense of collaboration among local women and created a strong team spirit. Together, the women are now working towards opening a joint business for nature-based handicraft products with a goal of selling in Cairo as well as to Western Desert tourists.
Young Men’s Focus on Sustainable Agriculture and Green Technology
The YCC male cohort started their program in December 2024. A group of 15 young men from El Heiz work together on sustainable agriculture and water management, solar system management, integrated pest management, the natural and cultural history of the Western Desert, as well as environmental architecture.
Sessions are delivered at the El Heiz Water Education Center, while the team also performs hands-on working sessions on local fields as well as active community service sessions. As part of its 9-week program, the group is physically constructing a local youth centre following a sustainable architectural approach that makes use of local materials such as natural rock and rammed earth.
Expanding the YCC Program to Dandara in Upper Egypt
In February 2025, the YCC program for Upper Egypt will kick off in the village of Dandara.
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