FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES
National Network
Egypt
Address
42 intersection Abdullah Deraz St. & El Thawra St. HeliopolisCountry
City
CairoMobile Phone
+201005285292Telephone
(+202) 24172084Telephone (other)
+20 01223138009E-Mail (2)
prog.sector.escd@gmail.comE-Mail (3)
gmanager.escd@gmail.comE-Mail (4)
techdep.escd@gmail.comWebsite
Click HereYear of Establishment
1978Contact Person1
Heba Mohamed IsmailJob Title 1
Libraries Technical managerContact Person 2
Rasha EssmatJob Title 2
Head of Programs Sector for Libraries and Development CentersOrganisation Type
Non-Governmental OrganizationFields of Activity
OthersGeneral Information
Egypt's Society for Culture & Development began its work in 1977 by developing a public primary school in Bulaq, Cairo, and later expanded to other schools with a strong focus on establishing school libraries. Building on its success, the Society created children’s libraries, public libraries, and community development centers, now operating in 13 sites across four governorates in Egypt.
Officially registered in 1978 as the Integrated Care Society and re-registered in 1984 as the Central
Integrated Care Society, it was renamed Egypt's Society for Culture & Development in 2013. Operating under Law No. 84 of 2002 and supervised by the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the Society provides diverse programs and services that benefit tens of thousands of Egyptians and residents, including children, youth, adults, and persons with disabilities. Its presence in Cairo, Giza, Qalyubia, and Fayoum promotes inclusion, culture, and community development.
Mission and Objectives
Mission:
To contribute actively to development and to raise awareness in cultural, social, health, environmental and economic spheres of all groups of society, including those with special needs, by making optimum use of the Society’s resources capabilities and assets.
Objectives
• Supporting Egyptian education and culture by offering library services to all community members.
• Elevating the educational, social, cultural and economic standards of users by offering:
o Education & training programmes (i.e., human development, vocational training, computer/IT, languages, arts, music, dance, acting, athletics).
o Information-Technology services: providing relevant information resources and services.
o Cultural & recreational programmes: workshops, seminars, artistic exhibitions, film screenings, competitions, youth & athletic activities, etc.
• Improving quality of living standards (economically, socially, environmentally, health-wise) for under-privileged citizens in its locations by offering:
o Social support services; health & medical services; computer courses & IT; language courses; literacy & placement classes; remedial classes for school drop-outs; academic tutoring; vocational training & human development; kindergartens / children’s clubs; skills & abilities development for children; child-protection programmes; awareness seminars; youth & athletic activities; cultural, artistic & entertainment activities.
• Empowering children with special needs to benefit from their right to live within the community by offering:
o Health & medical care: skills & abilities development (early intervention, speech therapy, special education, physiotherapy, occupational therapy).
o Educational services: special-needs school (KG, primary), special-needs programmes; vocational & rehabilitation training; cultural, artistic & athletic activities; orientation, awareness, guidance & training workshops for parents of children with special needs.
Main Projects / Activities
First: Cultural Development
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This field aims to contribute to supporting cultural and educational development by providing opportunities for all members of society to benefit from the services offered by the Society’s libraries and centers, located across Greater Cairo (Cairo, Giza, and Qalyubia) and Fayoum Governorate. These services play an important role in enhancing the educational, cultural, economic, and social levels of beneficiaries through a variety of advanced programs that meet their needs, including:
• Training and educational programs: human development, vocational training, computer and IT services, language courses, drawing and arts, music, sports activities, and programs designed to enhance children’s skills and abilities.
• Information services: providing access to information resources of all types and formats across various subject areas.
• Cultural and recreational programs: workshops, cultural seminars, health awareness sessions, cultural, artistic, and cinematic performances, competitions, art exhibitions, school visits, trips, and youth and sports activities.
Second: Community Development
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This field aims to improve the living conditions of citizens in underprivileged and informal areas where the Society operates economically, socially, culturally, educationally, environmentally, and health-wise by providing a wide range of services and activities, including:
• Social services and assistance programs
• Programs and activities to enhance children’s skills and abilities
• Medical and health services
• Literacy classes and instant examinations
• Classes for school dropouts
• Computer courses and information technology services
• Child protection programs
• Awareness seminars and educational sessions
• Sports and youth activities
• Academic support and tutoring classes
• Vocational training, capacity building, and human development programs
• Language courses
• Kindergartens and children’s clubs
• Cultural and artistic activities
Third: Care for Children with Special Needs
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This field aims to help empower children with special needs to enjoy their right to live within a supportive environment that provides social, health, and cultural care services, in line with the concept of social inclusion. The Society offers a wide range of services for children who have:
• Down Syndrome
• Certain forms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Medical and health care services (various therapeutic specialties)
• Developmental and skill-building programs, including early intervention, speech therapy, special education, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy
It also provides:
• Educational services (schooling for children with special needs: kindergarten, primary, and intellectual education)
• Vocational training, cultural, artistic, and sports activities
• Guidance, awareness, and training programs for parents of children with special needs
How can you contribute to the Network in your country?
ESCD can contribute to the ALF Network in Egypt by leveraging our nationwide community centres and cultural programmes to promote intercultural dialogue, education, and youth engagement. Through our libraries, training programmes, and cultural activities, we can:
• Host local dialogues, workshops, and cultural events that connect Egyptian youth and educators with ALF partners.
• Share good practices in community development, inclusive education, and cultural programming.
• Support joint initiatives that highlight Egypt’s cultural diversity and foster cooperation between civil society organisations.
• Provide platforms for creativity and learning through art, literature, and digital innovation that reflect ALF’s values of respect and understanding.
By integrating ALF’s mission into our ongoing projects, ESCD will help strengthen the Network’s visibility, impact, and intercultural exchange within Egypt.
Why do you want to join the ALF Network?
ESCD — previously known as the Integrated Care Society (ICS) — has a long-standing commitment to cultural development, education, and community empowerment. Our organisation has had the privilege of collaborating with the Anna Lindh Foundation in the past, as a participant in one of its flagship regional initiatives, the “Arab Children’s Literature Regional Programme”. This experience allowed us to engage with creative professionals and educators across the Egypt and the Arab world, promoting intercultural dialogue and enriching children’s access to literature.
In addition, ESCD has actively participated in regional cultural initiatives such as the Farah El Bahr Festival and Voices of Arab Youth, further strengthening our role in fostering youth engagement, creativity, and intercultural exchange.
Building on these experiences, ESCD is eager to continue working within the ALF Network to expand its contribution to intercultural understanding and shared learning across the Euro-Mediterranean region. Joining the Network will allow us to:
• Strengthen our collaboration with ALF and past partner organisations.
• Share our expertise in education, cultural programming, library development, and community initiatives.
• Participate in regional projects connecting Egyptian communities with Mediterranean partners.
• Benefit from ALF’s knowledge-sharing and capacity-building to design innovative programmes promoting diversity and dialogue.
By joining the ALF Network, ESCD aims to continue the legacy of our previous work, and shared commitment with the Anna Lindh Foundation to empower communities, celebrate cultural diversity, and foster mutual understanding across the region.
Additional Information
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