Professor Dr. Hemdan Rabie Al-Metwally, President of the University, Minister Mohamad Gobran, Minister of Labor, and Professor Dr. Ayman Al-Shehaby, Governor of Damietta, witnessed the conclusion of the activities of the “Damietta Pioneers 2024” competition in its third edition, which was held today, Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the Steigenberger El-Lissan Hotel, In the presence of Eng. Shaima Al-Sedeek, Deputy Governor of Damietta, Mr. Eric Ochlan, Director of the International Labor Organization Office in Cairo, Major General Mohamed Raafat Hammam, Secretary General of the Governorate, Professor Dr. Al-Saeed Abd Al Hady, President of Horus University, and Mr. Mohamed Shendy, CEO and Managing Director of Methanex Egypt, along with a number eminent persons from various entities . The closing event  began with a presentation on the project “Decent Jobs for Egypt’s Youth, Start and Improve Your Project,” which aims to provide decent job opportunities for Damietta’s youth, achieve gender equality, and promote social integration. The project is being implemented in cooperation with several ministries, government bodies, and international organizations. During his address, Professor Dr. Ayman Al-Shehabi, Governor of Damietta, praised the distinguished partnership between the governorate, the International Labor Organization and Methanex Egypt, stressing that the competition had contributed to supporting entrepreneurship and innovation, which had a positive impact on the youth in Damietta, and in support of Egypt’s Vision 2030. The Governor of Damietta thanked the development partners, especially the International Labor Organization and Methanex Company. He also thanked the Universities of Damietta and Horus for their continued keenness to encourage young people to participate in these initiatives. He expressed his sincere wishes to the contestants for success. He also congratulated the winners of the “Women Entrepreneurs Moving Forward” program. Winners of the “Start and Improve Your Project” program. For his part, Minister of Labor Mohamad Gobran stressed that this event represents an honorable model of social responsibility, and that the Ministry seeks to provide job opportunities and improve the skills of young people to meet the needs of the local and international market. Eric Ochlan, Director of the International Labor Organization's office in Cairo, also stressed the importance of partnerships in providing decent job opportunities, and explained that the organization seeks to support individuals' rights and stimulate social justice. At the conclusion of the event, the results of the competition were announced and the winners were honored. Financial prizes amounting to 690 thousand Egyptian pounds were distributed to the best 6 emerging projects and 3 existing projects. The winners of the “Women Small Business Owners Moving Forward” program were also honored and in-kind prizes amounting to 200 thousand Egyptian pounds. The event also included honoring entrepreneurs who were trained in the “Start Your Project” program, where financial prizes worth 100,000 pounds were distributed for the best innovative ideas. Everyone praised the fruitful cooperation between various parties to achieve sustainable development goals and provide job opportunities for Damietta’s youth.