Description of Organizational Structure

Development Sector
In recent years, the Egyptian government has encouraged the work of non-governmental organizations in addressing the critical problems of destitute urban and rural communities. In these communities, access to clean water and sanitation are limited; illiteracy, especially among girls and women, is high; the infant mortality rate is alarming; services for handicapped persons are virtually non-existent; and traditional harmful practices against women (female genital mutilation, deflowering, early marriage) prevail. Clearly, there is a critical need for the comprehensive development work that is the CEOSS hallmark.
 
CEOSS defines development as increasing within communities their potential for self-reliance, thus enabling communities to better address their own needs. It uses a rights-based approach to empower citizens—especially women, children, and special needs individuals—to improve the quality of their lives. CEOSS engages in capacity building of individuals and community-based organizations (CBOs) and encourages connections between the communities and CBOs, government institutions, and service providers. Through its integrated approaches, CEOSS addresses problem areas in health, education, economics, environment, and agriculture.
 
Small and Micro Enterprise Sector
The Small and Micro Enterprise (SME) Sector is a growing micro-finance institute. Thanks to the growing funds portfolio, individual loans are available in an ever increasing number of urban and rural communities to small entrepreneurs who wish to expand existing businesses. Group loans are available to marginally and deeply poor individuals who wish to start micro-enterprises. Non-financial services—for example, training in marketing, bookkeeping, and tax requirements—are offered as well.
 
Since its establishment in 2000, the SME Sector has achieved operational sustainability of 115% and financial sustainability of 80%. Effective marketing and client screening protocols, appropriate interest rate, and high repayment rates are important factors in its success.
 
Cultural Development Division
The Cultural Development Division addresses the cultural and intellectual aspects of development in Egyptian society. This division is comprised of the Forum for Intercultural Dialogue and the Curricula and Educational Resources Department. The Forum opens avenues for the discussion of new ideas, bringing together leaders from different segments of society. Since its establishment in 1992, the Forum has worked from a viewpoint that respectful and pluralistic dialogue will nurture intercultural cooperation and contribute to positive communication and interaction. The Curricula Department fills a gap by creating materials that address development issues. It has produced training manuals and discussion guides on topics ranging from sex education to agricultural development to the importance of gender balance and children's rights.
 
Dar El Thaqafa Communications House
Dar El Thaqafa was established in the 1950s when Rev. Samuel Habib, the founder of CEOSS, began to create educational materials for literacy programs in Egyptian villages. Today it has developed into one of the largest Christian publishing houses in the Middle East. The print publications and audio-visual materials of Dar El Thaqafa are especially geared to support and renew the Christian church.
 
Self Supporting Sector
The Self Supporting Sector contributes to CEOSS' financial sustainability. Through four income-generating projects—furniture manufacturing, plywood manufacturing, a tree and plant nursery, and the Itsa Conference Center—this sector supplies quality products and services, creates employment opportunities, and models successful entrepreneurship, while also providing revenue for CEOSS' development activities.
 
The following is a description of each project:
  • The Itsa furniture factory produces wooden furniture that they sell to individuals, corporations, and the local government. In addition to generating revenue, this project employs over 100 people and offers on-site vocational training.
  • The Itsa plywood factory produces plywood sheets that are sold to the Itsa furniture factory and to domestic and foreign markets.
  • The Itsa Conference Center provides training and leisure facilities for both individuals and organizations. It offers a well-equipped space for conferences, meetings, and training sessions. The gardens and playgrounds accommodate a variety of children’s programs. In addition, a houseboat anchored on the Nile river in Minia City offers a meeting area, a kitchen and dining room, and limited accommodation.   
  • The Itsa tree and plant nursery, covering approximately five acres, grows forest and fruit trees, small plants, and flowers. The nursery produces almost half a million seedlings annually that are used in land reclamation and urban beautification projects.
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