In a pioneering move to blend social impact with business innovation, the second phase of the “Innovative Incubator for Social Entrepreneurship” has launched in Luxor. The initiative is a strategic partnership between Egypt’s National Council for Women (NCW), the Luxor Governorate, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), aimed at eradicating the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) through empowering a new generation of entrepreneurs.
A New Model for Social Change
The incubator introduces a unique approach to tackling a deeply entrenched social issue by leveraging the power of entrepreneurship. The program’s core objective is to foster a culture of creative thinking and social responsibility among Luxor’s youth. It achieves this by encouraging and supporting startup ideas that embed community awareness campaigns against FGM directly into their business models. By integrating social advocacy with economic viability, the initiative aims to create sustainable, community-led change from the ground up.
Program Structure and Support
The program is structured in distinct phases, beginning with intensive pre-incubation training camps. The first phase, launched in November 2023, selected 20 promising project ideas from an initial pool of 28 participants. These entrepreneurs received technical and financial support, including foundational training in business creation, management, and project planning.
The second phase is currently underway with a training program running from October 16th to October 23rd. Participants are immersed in a curriculum covering business essentials such as feasibility studies, marketing, financial modeling, and securing funding. Crucially, the training also includes specialized sessions on FGM from medical, legal, and media perspectives, equipping entrepreneurs to become effective advocates. At the conclusion of this phase, five standout projects will be awarded seed funding to develop their initial business prototypes.
A Collaborative National Effort
The initiative represents a significant component of Egypt’s national strategy to combat FGM, empower women, and engage youth in developing innovative solutions to societal challenges. Hisham Abu Zeid, Deputy Governor of Luxor, emphasized the program’s role in activating the potential of civil society and social entrepreneurs for sustainable local development. He stated that the governorate is committed to supporting all initiatives that protect women’s rights and that the incubator serves as a “real platform for positive change.” This high-level government backing underscores the collaborative effort to ensure the program’s message is delivered effectively across different communities.
About The Innovative Incubator for Social Entrepreneurship
The Innovative Incubator for Social Entrepreneurship is a joint initiative designed to eliminate female genital mutilation in Luxor, Egypt. It is a partnership between the National Council for Women, the Luxor Governorate, and the UNFPA. The program supports young entrepreneurs by providing them with the training, mentorship, and seed funding needed to launch businesses that incorporate social awareness activities against FGM, fostering both economic growth and lasting social impact.
Source: Al-Masry Al-Youm
