Strengthening socio-ecological resilience in desert regions
Egypt has a history of rich agriculture, but now faces an escalating water–food–energy nexus crisis due to rapid urbanization and resource depletion. In response, this project introduces a replicable model for climate-resilient agriculture, grounded in renewable energy, precision irrigation and regenerative land practices.
The project demonstrates integrated energy–water–agriculture–ecosystem solutions across two pilot sites, Moghra Oasis and Nuweiba.
The approach includes a solar Agri-PV water utility offered as a "Buy Now, Pay Later" service to small and medium farmers and Climate-adaptive agroforestry techniques that reduce vulnerability and enhance biodiversity and resilience.
Supported by systemic modeling and a co-created resilience masterplan, the project also delivers a strategy for national upscaling and is monitored through a dedicated Climate Impact Monitoring program. Its framework offers a transferable blueprint for over 60% of the world’s deserts.
The work was presented at Cairo Water Week 2023 in the session Integration of Climate and Water Policies with National Sustainable Development Visions, through our peer-reviewed paper Holistic Water Resource Management: A Co-creation Strategy for Resilient (Coastal) Arid Areas.
Collaborators:
Habiba Community,3E, ORG, Engazaat, Center of Excellence for Water at the American University in Cairo
Funding Acknowledgement: The Flanders International Climate Action Programme of the Flemish Govt, coordinated by G-STIC and Departement Omgeving, 2.5 Million.
Services:
Roadmapping & Action Planning, Messaging & Language Strategy, Collaboration Strategy, Proposal Development, Position Paper
Deliverables:
Partnership Network, Winning Proposal and Peer-reviewed paper presented at Cairo Water Week
Drawings by Myriam El Khoury commissioned by ORG