Exploring Options for Climate-Resilient Microfinance in Upper Egypt

Upper Egypt is facing vulnerabilities from climate change-induced water scarcity, including food insecurities, which add to the looming economic challenges for the agrarian communities of the region. The aim of this workshop project was to work with the Sawiris Foundation to develop climate-resilient microfinance solutions to improve livelihoods in the agrarian communities, thereby addressing the climate-poverty nexus. 

The SIPA team spent six months working with their client, Sawiris Foundation, to understand the climate change-related challenges that farmers in the Qena governorate experience in regard to their agricultural production and income generation. The goal was to identify multiple microfinance product and policy options for Sawiris Foundation to incorporate in their work. 

Based on their findings, the SIPA team developed six clear, actionable partnership-led microfinance product and policy recommendations for the client and other major stakeholders. The team hopes that the outcomes of this project will assist Sawiris Foundation in continuing to play a key part in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals and climate resilience in the region.