UPGRADED SUSTAINABILITY, INCLUSIVENESS AND VALUE ADDITION OF THE COTTON VALUE CHAIN. Collaborative innovation between Italy and Egypt about sustainability.

In response to the challenges posed by sustainable development and in line with the 2030 agenda which promotes the multi-stakeholders approach as the only one which can enhance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the project seeks to promote inclusive and sustainable development of the textile industry and enhance the cotton’s contribution to the Egyptian economy, employment and manufacturing value added and export growth by actively engaging the private sector (CSR, investors, partners, mentors, etc.), develop business partnerships, and leverage non-traditional funding. Moreover, as the proposed project puts the promotion of sustainable and inclusive growth at the centre of its action, particular emphasis is placed on addressing economic and social inclusiveness and active involvement of vulnerable groups (poor, women, youth, rural communities). The project contributes improving farming environment (non-toxic and biodiverse), developing sector specific technical and entrepreneurial opportunities and the ability to capture business opportunities in National and international markets, thus contributing to better and more secure livelihoods for target beneficiaries and their households. Final consumers, in national and international markets, are also indirectly benefit from the proposed project as a result of the efforts exerted to preserve the quality and sustainability of the Egyptian cotton and strengthen its competitiveness. Important collaborative innovation between Egypt and Italy for new scenarios and concept design.