
The USAID-funded project sought to engage local Red Sea residents equitably in the economic, social and cultural benefits generated by the tourism sector in their governorate, with a focus on job creation and the protection, management, and sustainable use of the community’s natural and cultural assets. As part of the consortium implementing this project, CID was responsible for designing a new approach to solid waste management that was sustainable, effective, and inclusive.

While the specific objective for this project was to introduce a new approach for community-based solid waste management, there was a much larger overall objective which we were working towards: promoting sustainable natural and cultural tourism development in the region which satisfies the influx of tourists and their needs, without disrupting – and, in fact, benefitting – the lives of local residents. Working closely with the project’s partners and the local community we were able to introduce at-source segregation schemes for the first time in the Red Sea. This system was complemented by a series of new initiatives, including waste recovery, transportation and recycling schemes; Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs); clean-up campaigns; controlled dumpsites and cross-cutting environmental education, awareness and communications activities. All of these important strands of work helped us to realize the refreshed, progressive vision and system for the region which we had established.

The USAID-funded project sought to engage local Red Sea residents equitably in the economic, social and cultural benefits generated by the tourism sector in their governorate, with a focus on job creation and the protection, management, and sustainable use of the community’s natural and cultural assets. As part of the consortium implementing this project, CID was responsible for designing a new approach to solid waste management that was sustainable, effective, and inclusive.