The Arab Network for Environment and Development (RAED), in cooperation with the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation and the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, launched yesterday a three-day workshop titled: “Enhancing Synergies for Biodiversity Conservation in Egypt: Strategic Dialogue, Donor–CSO Alignment, and the Launch of PPI OSCAN Phase 4.”

The workshop will continue until Thursday, 21 May 2026, with the participation of representatives of national institutions, civil society organizations, national experts, and a number of international entities and programmes.

Dr. Emad El-Din Adly, General Coordinator of RAED, emphasized that the workshop aims to expand support for local environmental initiatives, strengthen the role of civil society in addressing environmental challenges, support biodiversity conservation efforts, promote the sustainable management of natural resources, and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Adly explained that the fourth phase of the programme, PPI OSCAN 4, which is expected to be launched in the coming period, builds on the successes achieved during the previous phase. The earlier phase contributed to strengthening the capacities of several civil society organizations and highlighted the vital role of community-based initiatives in environmental protection and sustainable land management.

The workshop brings together a number of international partners concerned with supporting biodiversity issues in the Mediterranean region, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), and the Mediterranean Fund (MedFund). Their participation aims to enhance coordination among donors, national institutions, and civil society organizations, while opening new prospects for joint cooperation.

The workshop programme includes dialogue sessions and presentations to discuss international programmes supporting civil society, review the outcomes of PPI OSCAN 3, and present the objectives and opportunities of the fourth phase. It also features successful models and experiences from a number of Egyptian organizations that participated in the programme.

The workshop also addresses the challenges facing civil society organizations working in the field of environmental conservation, as well as mechanisms for developing technical and financial support. In addition, it seeks to identify the geographic and thematic priorities for environmental action in Egypt and outline future cooperation pathways among local organizations, international partners, and donors.

The workshop will conclude with a field visit to Fayoum Governorate, including Wadi El Rayan Protected Area and Wadi El Hitan. The visit aims to explore real-life examples of environmental conservation efforts, highlight the role of civil society in supporting ecotourism and protecting biodiversity, and discuss the environmental, social, and economic challenges facing local communities, while reviewing lessons learned and future opportunities for cooperation in this field.

RAED serves as the national focal point for the programme, which aims to strengthen the role of civil society in North African countries by supporting associations working to address environmental and sustainable development challenges through innovative initiatives, the implementation of field projects, and the organization of institutional and technical capacity-building activities.