Egypt: Horizon 2020 targets environmental management for SMEs in coastal areas

About fifty people, mainly stakeholders from coastal Egyptian governorates and some from Cairo, have attended a training workshop addressing the issue of pollution-intensive small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in coastal areas, organised in Cairo in the framework of the Horizon 2020 Capacity Building/ Mediterranean Environment Programme (H2020 CB/MEP).

The workshop, said a press release, sought to highlight the sustainability concerns in the management of SMEs in Egypt. It aimed at building the capacity of the participants on how to properly manage the environmental impacts of industries, and on tools and measures for mitigating the impacts on the Mediterranean Sea. The presentations covered European experiences, and participants learned about processes and approaches implemented by some projects and agencies at the national level such as the Egyptian Pollution Abatement Project, EPAP II, and the role and best practices from the National Cleaner Production Centre.

Among the themes discussed was the portfolio of funding and technical assistance mechanisms available from national authorities in coordination with funding partners for SMEs which embark on complying with the Egyptian Environmental Law. The workshop also provided a better understanding of the concepts of green economy and energy efficiency as adequate approaches for mitigating the impacts of polluting industries.

The workshop concluded with a site visit to the Singer Bricks Factories in South Helwan, where participants witnessed a good model of minimising pollution, enhancing energy efficiency, providing a better work environment for employees while at the same time producing better products and achieving higher financial revenues.

The Horizon 2020 Capacity Building/Mediterranean Environment Programme (H2020 CB/MEP) aims to support the implementation of the Horizon 2020 Initiative Road Map and Work Plan through capacity building and awareness raising activities, and to promote integration/mainstreaming of environment issues into other sector policies.

The Horizon 2020 initiative aims to improve the quality of life of more than 420 million citizens living in the 25 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. It is an umbrella programme drawing together all the policies, strategies and action plans for enhancing environmental protection.