What is the project about? 

The Danish-Egyptian Dialogue Initiative (DEDI) is a joint partnership between UNDP Egypt, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and Egypt, and CCCPA, financed by the Danish-Arab Partnership Programme (DAPP) with a budget of DKK 30 million.

The project connects Egyptian and Danish youth, experts, and institutions to co-create innovative, climate responsive solutions, strengthen environmental awareness, and foster youth dialogue on climate, peace, and security. Through design thinking, innovation, and cultural exchange, DEDI acts as an innovation laboratory that transforms shared Danish and Egyptian expertise into concrete youth-led action, green jobs, and platforms for mutual understanding and dialogue.

Situational Background 

Established in 2004, DEDI has long served as a cornerstone for dialogue and cooperation between Denmark and Egypt. 

The new phase (2024–2028) preserves DEDI’s core mandate while embedding it within the UNDP structure, aligning with Egypt Vision 2030, the National Climate Change Strategy 2050, and Denmark’s “The World 2030” strategy. 

Under this renewed framework, DEDI continues its legacy of dialogue and cooperation, expanding into new areas of green innovation, sustainable design, and climate-peace dialogues, implemented in collaboration with CCCPA and a wide network of Egyptian and Danish partners.

How are we doing this?

Under DEDI, UNDP Egypt and partners implement three mutually reinforcing components that integrate innovation, environmental literacy, and youth engagement:

1. Innovation in Sustainable Design: Supporting young entrepreneurs in fashion, textiles, and furniture to transform waste into marketable products through bootcamps, mentorship, and Danish–Egyptian co-creation – including flagship initiatives like the Green Spark Bootcamp).
2. Green Environmental Literacy for Youth: Building environmental awareness and advocacy through, storytelling workshops, youth led documentary projects, and the Sustainable Egypt Youth Summit (SEYS), fostering creative communication and civic engagement for sustainability.
3. Youth Dialogue on Climate, Peace, and Security: Conducted with CCCPA and the Aswan Forum, thid component empowers youth to shape climate-peace policies through regional dialogues,research and policy discussions.

How will Egypt benefit?  

By 2028, DEDI aims to achieve measurable progress in promoting green innovation, youth empowerment, and cross-cultural collaboration through:

• Youth-led green enterprises and innovations: Youth in Egypt and Denmark develop sustainable business models, creating new green jobs and showcasing innovative climate solutions in design and production.
• Enhanced environmental literacy and advocacy: Youth gain skills, digital tools, and media/communication capacity to promote sustainable livelihoods and influence climate -related policy dialogues.
• Youth inclusion in climate-peace governance: Strengthen the linkages between climate resilience and peace-building through national and regional dialogues, amplifying youth voices and participation in governance and decision making.