StrategyOrganizational and people transformationMarketing and CommunicationsSustainability and social impactproject management and implementation

Designing Infrastructure With Community Collaboration

Challenge

We were contracted by the Agha Khan Foundation to support the Al Darb Al Ahmar (ADAA) area in Cairo in the design of a new waste system based on waste segregation to organic and non-organic, providing more opportunities for recycling.

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Approach

We approached the project by conducting a study to analyse the current solid waste management (SWM) system, including a waste composition and characterisation study for Al Darb Al Ahmar. This study also included the technical, institutional, legal, social, environmental, and economic aspects of the SWM system, covering service provision and service recipients. Based on this study, we worked with Aga Khan to design a new system, and engaged with the local municipality to better understand the legal and institutional framework governing the integration of an appropriate serve provider as an officially accepted entity to implement SWM services in the area. We used this understanding to develop an operational implementation plan that included training and developing the community’s young population to participate in the newly designed system. We conducted interviews and focus groups to properly consult and familiarise the community with the new waste system, and successfully built the foundation of the new system design.

Results

In partnership with Aga Khan, we were able to design an appropriate and tailored SWM system for collection, transfer, recovery, recycling and the development of effective cleaning services for the Al Darb Al Ahmar neighbourhood. By doing so in collaboration with the community and the municipality, we ensured a collaborative and inclusive model to take forward with regards to upgrading of services at the municipal level.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

We worked closely with CID on the Community Engagement Plan for our Lazoghly Complex in Downtown Cairo, and it was a very positive experience. From project initiation, the team showed a strong understanding of the local context and the importance of engaging thoughtfully with the surrounding community in such a unique and historic area. The CID team’s communication was clear, efficient, and easy to work with, keeping us fully updated throughout the process. Their reporting was equally strong. CID brought a knowledgeable, committed, and approachable team to the project.

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Seif El Sadek
Reliance Developments Business Development

We worked with the CID team for over 2 years to develop our strategies, and CID has provided two teams; one specialized in social issues and community development and the other in reputation management and corporate communications. The two teams are staffed with experienced professionals who are knowledgeable in their fields and have been working closely and effectively with the ERC team. We believe that CID’s guidance and support in developing and implementing our community engagement and communications strategy has been essential in positioning ERC to meet its corporate social responsibility obligations and its commitments to the stakeholders necessary for ERC to secure its social license to operate.

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Tom Thomason
Former Chief Executive Officer, The Egyptian Refining Company

Plan International has been working very intensively with a very high qualified and motivated team of professionals from CID, to develop a new communication strategy. In our efforts to raise our profile and be better place to advocate for children’s rights in Egypt, CID has help us identify the level of awareness there is in Egypt and develop specific communication messages and tactics for our target audiences.CID managed to develop an excellent strategy ensuring full staff participation and Plan's ownership of the process, which is something very difficult to get when outsourcing external consultancies.

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E. Mac Abbey
Global Advisors Team Senior Manager, Plan International