The Central CDA for Community Development and Small Enterprises (El Mobadara)
# 409/30-12-1998
El Mobadara is a central Egyptian community development association located in Mohandiseen, Cairo, with associate member NGOs in the four Governorates of Qena, Sohag, Beni Suef and Giza. The greater portion of El Mobadara’s current funds are accrued from the Canadian International Development Agency’s (CIDA) budget allocated for the Small & Medium Enterprises Development Project in Upper Egypt (SMEDUP) and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) budget allotted for SME Support Project in the district of Bolak El Dakror in Cairo.
El Mobadara is committed to furthering social and economic opportunities
through sustainable small, medium and micro enterprise development. Our approach enables the participation of men and women in economic ventures and income generating activities.
Our mandate is to carry out programs that help improve the socioeconomic status of low-income families. This is done through capacity building of NGOs and other development agencies engaged in small, medium and micro enterprise development programs or related activities such as the empowerment of women, the environment, health and safety, literacy and non-formal education in addition to training and applied research.
History of the Organization
In December 1998, El Mobadara was founded to respond to the needs of the SME sector in Egypt as delineated in the management plan developed by CIDA and the Social Fund for Development (SFD) for the project of SMEDUP in Upper Egypt.
Community leaders convened with potential NGOs and made together a commitment to support SMEs. They also reconfirmed that assistance to the established SME projects must remain the priority of El Mobadara.
Emerging as a result of ten years of experience with the two CIDA-funded projects of SMEDUP and the Women’s Initiative Fund (WIF) implemented by the Foundation for International Training (FIT), El Mobadara helps eliminate some of the most intractable barriers to development in Egypt. Therefore, it contributes to long-term growth by fostering progress in this area through the provision of technical assistance and support that strengthen local NGOs and encourage the participation of individuals and communities. Such contribution is made feasible not only through SME development but also through other related activities that pertain to the empowerment of women, the environment, health and safety, literacy and non-formal education.
El Mobadara is committed to:
- Continuing to build the capacity of sustainable development institutions through organizational development, institutional strengthening and human resource development.
- Fostering the development of small and micro enterprise programs for low-income and poor/marginalized population groups through collaborative efforts with NGOs on the national and international levels.
- Dedicating efforts to assist its branch institutions and associated members in playing a more pivotal role in the development process for the benefit of the low-income and poor/marginalized population groups and communities.
- Encouraging creative, innovative and professional approaches in carrying out its mandate.
- Providing quality services.
- Working with people and communities with a spirit of mutual respect.
- Respecting the diverse perspectives and the modus operandi of partner institutions.
El Mobadara’s Mandate
To carry out programs that help improve the socio-economic status of low-income families through capacity building of NGOs and other development agencies engaged in small and micro enterprise development programs and such pertinent activities related to the empowerment of women, the environment, health and safety, literacy and non-formal education in addition to training and applied research.
El Mobadara carries out its mandate through:
- Implementing field programs in partnership with its branches and associate members throughout Egypt.
- Capacity building including organizational development, institutional strengthening and human resource development for NGOs and other development agencies engaged in small and micro enterprise development and other related activities.
- Designing and delivering customized training programs and materials.
- Conducting studies and applied research on small and micro enterprise as a developmental strategy and approach in collaboration with other agencies and institutions.
- Disseminating information on small and micro enterprise development among affiliated agencies within Egypt and abroad.
- Engaging in advocacy to improve the developmental impact of small and micro enterprise programs in Egypt in co-operation with other practitioners in this sector.
Guiding Principles
- Develop and maintain clear goals and standards to guide performance.
- Ensure that roles, responsibilities and achievements are clearly defined and assigned for all members (general assembly, board and staff).
- Ensure that all members of El Mobadara are treated in a respectful and professional manner.
- Maintain accountability of staff at all levels for the human, physical and financial resources of the organization.
- Ensure that the approach adopted by El Mobadara enhances its reputation as a professional development agency.
- Ensure that all activities are carried out in a transparent and accountable manner.
