Within the framework of the strategic cooperation between the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development, the training arm of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and the Business Incubator of the Faculty of Economics and Political Science - Cairo University, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Gemini Africa and the Egyptian Exporters Association; The Sustainable Innovation Lab project, the first of its kind in the Middle East and Africa, is being launched. The project aims to support and develop innovations targeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The project is within the framework of the ‘Be an Ambassador’ initiative which was launched by the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development to spread the ​​sustainable development concept among Egyptian youth in the age group of 18-35 years. The sustainable innovation laboratory consists of four laboratories: green economy, digital transformation, creative economy and government innovations.

In addition, this project contributes to completing the cycle between the outputs of the ‘Be an Ambassador’ initiative, which prepares youth to understand and adopt the SDGs concept, then convert these ideas into innovative projects aimed at achieving those goals through the various activities presented under the umbrella of each laboratory, including incubation activities business accelerators, and consulting services. As well as providing technical support through providing laboratories for the manufacture of prototypes for these projects and helping them to test and verify these models using manufacturing technology. In addition to integrating the work outputs of these emerging companies from the laboratory into global value chains by raising the export capabilities of these companies.

On Sunday the 28^th of March, the call for applications has been opened for the first activities of the Sustainable Innovation Lab (Hackathon for the Cinema Industry and Technology). The submission will extend for 10 days and the Hackathon events will be launched on April 10 for a period of 3 days.

The Hackathon aims to contribute to raising the efficiency of young entrepreneurs interested in the film industry and technology, thus supporting their projects in order to advance the film industry, which is considered one of the most important creative industries in which Egypt was distinguished This Hackathon achieves 4 goals from the SDGs, which are the fifth, eighth, ninth and tenth on gender equality, decent jobs, economic growth, innovation and infrastructure, and reduced inequalities.

On April 4, applications will be opened for the incubation program for projects interested in assistive technology for persons with disabilities, which takes place under the umbrella of the Digital Transformation Lab.