EUR 1.8M Agreement With Italy Will Support People With Disabilities

The Egyptian House of Representatives has approved an agreement with Italy to provide a EUR 1.8 million grant aimed at advancing the rights of people with disabilities in Egypt. The agreement, first signed in March 2024, seeks to implement action plans promoting inclusion and reducing societal stigma.

Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat emphasized that the agreement focuses on empowering people with disabilities through practical initiatives and strengthening the Egyptian National Council for Persons with Disabilities.

As part of the agreement, a national media campaign and an international forum will be launched to raise awareness about the negative impacts of stigma while fostering a culture of comprehensive development in disability affairs.

Egypt has made significant strides in this field. In 2021, the country introduced the Differently-Abled Fund to support its 11 million citizens with disabilities. More recently, during the fifth edition of the annual Kaderoun Bekhtelaf (‘Differently-Abled’) event in February 2024, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi allocated EGP 10 billion to the fund to support its efforts.