ESCWA, in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Solidarity in Egypt and the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, organized a peer- exchange study tour for experts and decision makers from Arab countries to learn about the design and implementation of the "Bab Amal" (Transfer of Productive Assets / BRAC Model) programme, which supports the graduation of social assistance beneficiaries from the poorest groups in Upper Egypt.
Held from 12 to 16 October, the study tour aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of the BRAC model as a key policy option for economic empowerment and as a pathway out of extreme poverty.
The tour was launched by the Minister of Social Solidarity in Egypt Maya Morsi, and brought together delegations from Djibouti, Jordan, and Somalia.
Over the course of five days, participants took part in knowledge-sharing sessions, and field visits to beneficiary families and community committees in several villages in Upper Egypt. Discussions also focused on how to adapt the Bab Amal model to the national contexts in their respective countries.
The study tour concluded with a final workshop, during which participants presented their reflections, as well as the next steps to be undertaken in their countries, including the proposal of similar projects inspired by "Bab Amal" to be implemented under national economic and social empowerment programmes approved.
