Our Experience

Egypt Idku Livelihoods Development Initiative (ILDI)

Project Description

ASI implemented a project to increase incomes and improve livelihood opportunities for fishermen, farmers, youth, and women in Egypt’s Idku region. It was funded by the Egyptian Operating Company for Natural Gas Liquefaction Projects (ELNG).

During the six-month pilot stage, ASI conducted a range of assessments to identify environmental and economic problems in the region. It also devised short- and long-term interventions for overcoming those problems in a sustainable manner. A first step introduced new technologies such as hydroponic fodder units and improved fish netting. Based on results of the pilot phase, these and other technologies and interventions may be scaled up into a larger, two-year program.

Project Approach
The Idku Livelihoods Development Initiative (ILDI) aimed to sustainably increase incomes and improve livelihoods of the most vulnerable groups in the region. These groups include small-scale watermen (and women) who harvest fish and shellfish, farmers, and handicraft producers who typically lack the vision, skills, and capital to diversify their livelihoods, thereby increasing their risk of financial instability and likelihood of continuing the poverty cycle.

For each of these three livelihood opportunities, the ILDI project identified a set of sustainable economic opportunities that demonstrate the value of improved techniques and capital investment. Each intervention used a three-pronged approach: providing technical assistance, improving physical assets and infrastructure, and engaging women and youth.

During the first year, activities focused on improving yields as well as product quality and marketability. ILDI also introduced innovative, appropriate technologies. ILDI also developed a multiyear plan for upgrading production assets and infrastructure and developing entrepreneurship programs for products and services targeted to youth and women.

Impact and Accomplishments
ASI’s multiple in-depth assessments identified infrastructure, environmental, and economic constraints in the agriculture, fisheries, and handicraft value chains and ensure d that the project’s long-term activities were grounded in sector-specific best practices. To complement and support these assessments, ASI undertook pilot activities with over 500 farmers and fishermen. These two components of the pilot phase informed long-term activities and laid the groundwork for sustainably increasing livelihoods in the Idku region.

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