Within the framework of the SESRIC Project on “Strengthening Egypt’s Cultural Tourism Destination Brand through Sharing Experiences”, which is co-funded under the 13^th Call for Project Proposals of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC) Project Funding, the Centre will organise a Training Course on “Promoting Islamic and Rural Heritage Tourism through Innovative Marketing Techniques and Storytelling” on 4-5 August 2026 through an online video conferencing platform for the benefit of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and relevant national institutions in the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The training course aims to enhance the capacity of local tourism stakeholders to promote Egypt’s rich Islamic heritage through storytelling and digital branding. By showcasing successful case studies from OIC Member Countries, the course will demonstrate how rural heritage destinations can attract visitors, generate income for local communities, and create engaging experiences without major infrastructure investments. The lessons learned will support the development of sustainable and community-driven approaches for rural and Islamic heritage sites around Cairo, combining heritage preservation, environmental responsibility, and modern tourism promotion.

The COMCEC Coordination Office (CCO) introduced the COMCEC Project Funding (CPF) in 2013, a financing mechanism that supports projects submitted by OIC member countries and relevant OIC institutions. Funding is provided in the form of a grant through the Development and Investment Bank of the Republic of Türkiye, a primary body in the CPF scheme. Since the initiation of CPF, SESRIC has implemented 19 projects to date across various cooperation areas and sectoral themes determined by the CCO.

For the 13^th Call for Project Proposals of CPF, the CCO has completed the evaluation process and announced the final list of successful projects. Three SESRIC projects have been identified as eligible for co-funding in the 2026 implementation period. These projects, designed in collaboration with relevant national institutions in member countries, aim to strengthen human resources and institutional capacities in the areas of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), poverty alleviation, and tourism cooperation areas.

For more details about SESRIC projects funded by the COMCEC, please visit: https://www.sesric.org/tcd-activities-projects-funded.php.