Luxor Governorate held a major celebration to graduate the first cohort of the “Seeds for the Future” project, implemented in cooperation between Enroot Development, Luxor University, and Luxor Governorate, within the framework of the EU-funded “Tamkeen” program through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). This comes as part of the “100 Forsa for Digital Empowerment” initiative, aimed at supporting women and integrating them into today’s digital labor market.

The event was attended by Dr. Hisham Abu Zeid, Deputy Governor of Luxor; Prof. Dr. Saleh Abdel-Maati on behalf of Prof. Dr. Sabreen Abdel Jalil, President of Luxor University; Dr. Hany El-Salamony, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Enroot Development; Ms. Maria Martinez, Project Manager at the Spanish Cooperation Agency; along with representatives of the partnering entities and a number of executive and academic leaders, as well as participants and their families.

Deputy Governor of Luxor, Dr. Hisham Abu Zeid, stressed that the project reflects the importance of investing in women and youth as the true force of development. He said that Luxor girls have proven that providing the right opportunity can open wide horizons for success and excellence, and contribute to achieving real economic empowerment for women and strengthening their participation in local development.

In a statement delivered on her behalf, Prof. Dr. Saleh Abdel-Maati confirmed the University’s full support for initiatives that qualify youth and girls to move from education to the labor market with confidence and competence.

He added that Luxor University believes in its vital role in supporting youth and empowering them, and that the partnership with Enroot Development is a successful model of cooperation between academic and development institutions to serve the local community. He explained that one of the most prominent outcomes of this partnership is the establishment of Tamkeen Technological Innovation Hub within the University—an ongoing platform for training, building skills, and providing an appropriate environment for shared learning and working.

He further emphasized that the future no longer waits only for traditional jobs, but is being created by innovators and capable youth who can create opportunities for themselves and for others. He noted that entrepreneurship and freelancing represent a mindset rooted in initiative and creativity—turning ideas into real projects that serve society and achieve aspirations.

For his part, Dr. Hany El-Salamony, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Enroot Development, stated that the project aims to bridge the gap between women and the digital labor market in Luxor through an integrated approach combining awareness-raising, capacity-building, career guidance, and providing an equipped environment for innovation and shared work. This enables participants to build independent and sustainable career pathways, improve their economic conditions, and enhance digital inclusion in Upper Egypt.

El-Salamony added that the project succeeded in reaching hundreds of girls and women through a series of specialized trainings in areas such as freelancing, digital marketing, graphic design, and data analysis. He also highlighted the creation of Tamkeen Technological Innovation Hub, equipped with a training lab, a shared workspace, and meeting rooms to support learning and professional networking.

Meanwhile, Maria Martinez, Project Manager at the Spanish Cooperation Agency, said that real development can only be achieved through strong partnerships closely aligned with citizens’ needs. She praised the partnership with Enroot Development and its ability to translate development vision into tangible, practical interventions.

She explained that the project represents a successful model of human-centered development, providing fair opportunities and linking training to the needs of the labor market—consistent with the Agency’s commitment to sustainable development, gender equality, and strengthening the role of youth in local communities.

The event’s activities lasted two days and included a “From Idea to Opportunity” contest, where participants presented their project ideas to a panel of expert judges in areas such as graphic design, digital marketing, and data analysis. The judging panel provided practical notes that helped participants refine their ideas and better understand market requirements.

The celebration also featured meetings with supporting entities and specialized institutions, giving participants the chance to explore professional partnership opportunities and tools that can help them launch their own projects or start working independently.

At the conclusion of the event, 84 trainees were honored for successfully completing the first cycle of the program. The event also announced and recognized winners for the best 14 projects, featuring innovative ideas that impressed the jury. The winning participants received laptops and licensed digital software programs to support their first steps toward digital freelancing work.

The “Seeds for the Future” project underscores that investing in people—especially girls and women—is the real path to achieving inclusive and sustainable development, and it opens new horizons for the youth of Upper Egypt to build a more prosperous future.