FICFF Brings Focus to Egypt: Advancing Education, Women’s Empowerment, and Sustainable Development
Cairo, August 2025 — The Fashion in a Conscious Future Foundation (FICFF) has completed a multi-faceted field mission and collaborative visit to Cairo, Egypt. The visit highlighted three central themes — children’s education and aesthetic development, women’s empowerment, and community sustainability — with the FICFF delegation engaging directly with four influential local organizations: Yalla Kafala, Alwan wa Awtar Arts Education Center and its Montessori School, the Zabbaleen recycling community, and the eco-brand Upfuse. The mission combined research, dialogue, and community co-creation activities.
As part of this initiative, FICFF introduced its flagship Stitching Dreams Program to Egypt for the first time, marking its entry into North Africa. The visit also incorporated the Women Forward Program and the Green Thread Program, creating an integrated platform for education, gender empowerment, and sustainability. Together, these efforts reflect FICFF’s commitment to expanding its global presence into Arabic-speaking regions while aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
FICFF Team at Cairo, Egypt
The Cairo mission also underscored FICFF’s fourth pillar, the Legacy in Craft Program, which focuses on preserving and revitalizing traditional craftsmanship by integrating heritage practices with modern design. Though not directly featured during this visit, FICFF emphasized its intention to explore Egypt’s rich artisanal heritage in future collaborations, linking it with local crafts and sustainable fashion initiatives.
FICFF Team at Cairo, Egypt
During the mission, the FICFF delegation’s first stop was Yalla Kafala, a non-profit in Cairo’s Maadi district dedicated to orphan protection and support for foster families. Egypt is one of the few countries that follows the Islamic Kafala system, which differs from formal adoption and often leaves children without full legal identity. Yalla Kafala bridges this gap by providing policy advocacy, legal consultation, educational support, and mental health services. To date, the organization has supported over 800 foster families, trained more than 500 female caregivers, established 30+ counseling mechanisms, and conducted 20 public courses on children’s rights, making it a leading force in modern Kafala reform.
The delegation also visited Alwan wa Awtar Arts Education Center, located at the foot of Mokattam Hill. Since 2005, the center has provided arts-based education to over 6,000 children from underserved communities. In addition to its arts programs, the center operates a Montessori school for preschool-aged children, where child-led, mixed-age learning environments foster independence, problem-solving, and social development. Since its launch, the school has educated more than 800 children, with a 95% parent satisfaction rate, and its graduates have consistently shown stronger adaptability in mainstream education.
FICFF Team at Cairo, Egypt
On the sustainability front, FICFF visited the historic Zabbaleen community, home to an informal but highly effective recycling network. With a population estimated at 60,000–70,000, the community has historically managed between half to two-thirds of Cairo’s waste, recycling up to 80% of what they collect. This grassroots circular economy has attracted international recognition for its efficiency and resilience. Women play a central role in this system, from waste sorting to upcycled product creation, combining livelihood generation with environmental stewardship.
FICFF Team at Cairo, Egypt
At the other end of the recycling chain, the delegation visited Upfuse, an eco-brand founded by two female social entrepreneurs. Upfuse transforms Zabbaleen-sourced materials into backpacks, totes, and accessories, marrying environmental responsibility with contemporary design. Each product carries a QR code that traces its origin and production, offering consumers transparency and education. Today, Upfuse exports to Germany, France, the UAE, and Japan, and has trained and employed over 120 women, demonstrating how sustainable fashion can drive both economic empowerment and global awareness.
The highlight of the mission was the Community Co-Creation Day, co-hosted by Yalla Kafala and Alwan wa Awtar. The event featured women’s handicraft exhibitions, children’s art displays, an eco-market, and interactive workshops, drawing hundreds of local families together.
“In coming here, we are not presenting ready-made answers,” an FICFF representative shared. “We are here as partners to listen, to co-create, and to grow together. What we have seen in Egypt resilient grassroots education, the strength of women, and community-led sustainability practices has deeply inspired us. It reinforces our belief that education and creativity are among the most powerful forces for change.”
FICFF Team at Cairo, Egypt
About FICFF
The Fashion in a Conscious Future Foundation (FICFF) is a New York-based nonprofit organization committed to advancing sustainability, education, women’s empowerment, and innovation across culture and society.
With fashion as a key driver, FICFF focuses on innovation, education, women's empowerment, and environmental sustainability, actively supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The foundation prioritizes SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), harnessing the power of fashion to drive social change and a more sustainable future.
Through a series of global initiatives and collaborations, FICFF is dedicated to transforming the fashion industry into a more responsible and sustainable sector. The foundation’s key programs include:
Stitching Dreams Program – A global aesthetic education initiative that provides children in underdeveloped regions with access to arts and creative education, fostering creativity and social responsibility.
Women Forward Program – A women’s empowerment initiative that supports female entrepreneurs and industry leaders, promoting gender equality and career advancement.
Legacy in Craft Program – A project dedicated to preserving and revitalizing traditional craftsmanship by integrating modern design concepts with heritage crafts, promoting sustainable artisanal work on a global scale.
Green Thread Program – A sustainability-focused initiative that provides resources and support for eco-friendly fashion enterprises and brands, fostering innovation in sustainable materials and production practices.
FICFF’s influence spans the globe, bringing together leaders from fashion, technology, business, and social innovation. Through forums, educational programs, sustainable fashion initiatives, and cross-industry collaborations, the foundation is driving the fashion industry toward a more environmentally responsible, inclusive, and sustainable future.