Egypt’s Ministry of Social Solidarity pledges to fund the young founder’s doctoral studies following his association’s recognition at the 2026 Sharjah Government Communication Award.
CAIRO — An Egyptian association founded by a young man who grew up in institutional care has gained international recognition at the 2026 Sharjah Government Communication Award, highlighting the potential of young people with care experience to lead initiatives that address the challenges facing their communities.
Basmat Nour Association, founded by Egyptian media professional Noor Shaaban, won the Best Youth Initiative in Communication award at a ceremony held in the United Arab Emirates on November 2, 2026. The achievement was followed by a commitment from Egypt’s Ministry of Social Solidarity to cover the tuition fees for Shaaban’s doctoral studies.
The award, presented during the 13th edition of the Sharjah Government Communication Award, recognised Basmat Nour’s efforts to empower young people and challenge stereotypes surrounding those raised in care institutions.
Shaaban, who grew up in a care institution, established the association to help children and young adults from similar backgrounds gain greater access to education, personal development and opportunities for social participation.
Rather than treating young people leaving care solely as recipients of assistance, Basmat Nour seeks to involve them directly in identifying challenges, developing programmes and leading community initiatives.
Among its projects is the Jusoor Sports Initiative, which brings young people who have left care institutions together with corporate employees through sporting activities, including football tournaments for men and women. The initiative aims to encourage social interaction, challenge misconceptions and strengthen connections between care leavers and the wider community.
The association also organises awareness activities in schools and universities to change public perceptions of institutional care and promote recognition of the abilities and ambitions of young people raised in such environments.
Speaking to Egyptian media following the award, Shaaban described the achievement as the culmination of three years of work. He emphasised that its significance extended beyond personal recognition to the opportunities it could create for other young people with similar experiences.
His decision to speak openly about growing up in a care institution has become an important part of that message. Rather than distancing himself from his background, he has used his experience to challenge the stigma that can affect the confidence, employment prospects and social integration of young people leaving care.
The international recognition was followed by an official reception hosted by Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity, Maya Morsy, who praised Shaaban’s achievement and the potential of young people raised in care institutions.
During the meeting, Morsy directed the ministry’s Equal Educational Opportunities Programme to cover all tuition fees for Shaaban’s doctoral studies.
The decision provides practical educational support beyond the recognition of his award, enabling him to continue developing his academic qualifications alongside his community work.
According to the ministry, its approach to supporting young people from care institutions extends beyond protection and basic assistance to developing skills, nurturing talent and expanding opportunities for education and meaningful participation in society.
Basmat Nour’s achievement came amid international competition. The Sharjah Government Media Bureau reported that 433 submissions from 31 countries across four continents passed the initial screening stage of the award’s 13th edition.
The judging process placed particular emphasis on measurable outcomes, strategic planning and implementation, reflecting the award’s focus on communication initiatives capable of producing tangible social impact.
For Basmat Nour, the recognition offers an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges facing care leavers and strengthen partnerships with institutions, businesses and community organisations.
However, the long-term effectiveness of such initiatives depends on more than international recognition. Sustainable outcomes require access to education, employment opportunities, continued mentoring and programmes that support young people as they transition into independent adulthood.
Publicly available reporting reviewed for this article does not provide sufficient detailed data to assess the number of beneficiaries reached by Basmat Nour or the measurable long-term outcomes of its programmes.
Shaaban’s journey nevertheless illustrates a significant shift in the role young people with experience of institutional care can play: from receiving support to designing initiatives, building organisations and representing their communities internationally.
With Basmat Nour now recognised at the Sharjah Government Communication Award and its founder receiving support for further education, the wider challenge is whether such individual achievements can help create lasting opportunities for more young people leaving institutional care.
Related News:
- At Just 11, Egypt’s Mayar Othman Wins Arab Reading Crown and AED 500,000
- Egypt Launches “Future Scientists” National Scholarship Initiative
