Digital skills training has become an essential avenue to economic independence for marginalized populations across the globe. In Egypt – the country post the highest number of registered refugees and asylum seekers, more than a million – providing both displaced and host communities with digital skills presents an unprecedented potential to achieve inclusive growth, reduce inequalities, and contribute to social cohesion.
This article focuses on the background, goals, best practices and strategic priorities when establishing successful digital skills initiatives in Egypt.
Context: Refugees and Host Communities in Egypt
The country is home to a variety of different refugees, many under the age of 30 and with severe barriers to accessing education, work and social services.
At the same time, youth and adults in urban areas like Greater Cairo, Alexandria, and Damietta are facing high rates of unemployment and have few opportunities for digital training.
To meet these challenges, there is a need for programmes that provide affordable, culturally appropriate and market-relevant digital education to refugees and Egyptians living in underserved areas.
Why Digital Skills Matter
Digital literacy and computer skills
There are many benefits to being digitally literate and having good computer skills:
• Remote and freelance work solutions that circumvent restrictions on movement
• How to build a business for long-term income opportunities online
• Entry to leading knowledge industry and tech services offerings in Egypt — Blockchain Helix.protocol.tech, content vestledger.app / msgp.io.reward.ext China, Perfect-margin Crypto.online agency, Civil-Tech civil protocol.
• Increased digital connectivity/socialization and learning
With the learning of basic tools — computer skills, online navigation and software usage – and specialized capabilities in coding, data analysis or even digital marketing, they will get to have high-paying jobs or start innovative businesses.
Successful Models in Egypt
There are several programs that illuminate what’s possible if we were to coordinate digital training:
EFE-Egypt, IBM and ILO Collaboration
This joint program is delivered through the IBM SkillsBuild platform to prepare 1,000 young people — 30% of whom are refugees — with digital literacy skills, advanced technical training, and assistance in becoming career ready. Graduates receive accredited certificates that increase access to job opportunities in Egypt’s tech community.
Mobile Classrooms and Offline Learning Solutions
So far, mobile classrooms with tablets, projectors, offline curriculums and solar power have been brought to 70 schools serving refugee and host community children.
The model bridges connectivity gaps and offers high-quality digital education even in remote, less-developed regions.
Strategic Priorities for New Proposals
Responding organizations for the current call can maximize impact by addressing:
Localized Curriculum Design
– Create content that is tailored for local languages, cultural contexts, and needs of the specific sector (e.g. E-commerce / IT Services / Online Education).
– Create modular training that can support a progression from basic to advanced capabilities.
Blended Learning Models
– Combine and mix elements of in-person instruction with online formats to add flexibility, and create a more engaging interaction.
– Leverage offline digital solutions in low-connectivity areas for continued learning.
Capacity Building for Local Partners
– Educate teachers on digital pedagogy and provide community centers with the hardware and software they need.
– Enhance management and monitoring capabilities for a sustainable program after the initial funding.
Special Focus on Women and Young People
– Introduce mentorship, flexible scheduling and safe learning environments to promote participation for those who are systemically disadvantaged.
– Monitor data by age and sex to assess equity in access and outcomes.
Robust Monitoring and Impact Measurement
– Define measurable goals for progress of learning, job placement and socio-economic growth.
– Use continuous feedback loops and data dashboards to inform program changes and show the value of your work to stakeholders.
Expected Outcomes and Broader Impact
Digital skills initiatives, which nurture well-designed learning in particular domains, feed back into a series of benefits for the economy and society:
• Prosperity: Graduates are employed, start their own business and no longer have to depend on humanitarian aid.
• Social Cohesion: Digital platforms serve as a space where refugees and host community members can connect and build mutual trust.
• Education Continuous: Adolescents on the move sustain learning through digital media tools both online and offline.
• Community Resilience: Digital skills are tools for people and communities to respond to economic changes and future crises.
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The Role of Stakeholders
It takes a village #ToTheGirls (and youth everywhere) to ensure sustainable development at scale:
• Government Agencies: By way of rider policies, accreditation systems and financial support.
• International Agencies: Provide technical assistance, funding, and connect with international development priorities.
• One by One: Offer technology solutions, mentorships and paths to the labor market.
• Local NGOs and Community Groups: Provide community-specific training and liaise with the various stakeholders.
• Direct Beneficiaries: Engage refugees and host community members in the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs to ensure their relevance and ownership.
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Conclusion
As Egypt’s digital economy grows, focused investment in digital skills for refugees and host communities can change lives, promote social cohesion and energize inclusive growth.
Through context-sensitive solutions — where localized curricula are combined with blended learning, and organizations invest in capacity building and robust impact measurement — the full power of digital education can be realized.
This call for proposals is an opportunity to create a critical bridge between the haves and have-nots online, empowering the possibly more vulnerable among us with access and skills, and enabling Egypt’s future as a society prospering together.
Here are a few official links that align with digital-skills training and refugee/host-community empowerment in Egypt:
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International Labour Organization (ILO) “PROSPECTS Egypt – Technical and Vocational Skills Development for Refugees and Host-Communities in Greater Cairo, Alexandria, and Damietta” call for proposals: https://www.ungm.org/
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United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) page on technical & vocational education and training for refugees: https://www.unhcr.org/
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Plan International & UNHCR “Improving refugees and host community livelihoods in Greater Cairo, Egypt” good-practice overview: https://globalcompactrefugees.org/good-practices/improving-refugees-and-host-community-livelihoods-greater-cairo-egypt
