Rooted in Sinai Growing for the Future.

Since 1994, Habiba has been more than a project, it’s a movement toward regeneration, dignity, and community-led change.

The Seeds We Planted

Habiba World Foundation was born from a single question:

How can a community thrive in the desert, not despite it, but because of it? Founded by Maged El Said, the visionary behind the original Habiba Community, our journey began with a beach lodge and evolved into a full ecosystem of regenerative initiatives. From food security to women’s empowerment, from education to ecosystem restoration, we’ve grown into a community-based nonprofit in Sinai focused on long-term impact and shared dignity.
Meet the Founder: Maged El Said
Before founding one of Egypt’s most respected NGOs, Maged El Said left Cairo to seek a life of meaning. In the heart of Nuweiba, he built a foundation for change, not through charity, but through community co-creation. For over 25 years, he’s led a model of regenerative development that centers people, place, and partnership.

Our Model: How We Work With Communities

We don’t just build projects. We build trust. Every initiative at Habiba is shaped by relationships — with the land, with Bedouin wisdom, and with each other. Our model is based on long-term presence, shared decision-making, and circular benefit for people and place.
Trustpilot
Trust-Based Presence

We work alongside the community, not above it. Trust is built through years of consistency.

Co-Design & Feedback

Local voices shape every project from start to finish.

Circular Benefit

Every initiative supports multiple outcomes — environment, income, education.

earth_longitude_fill
Long-Term Impact

We think in seasons, not deadlines. Real change takes time — and we stay for it.

H2: Our Journey So Far

Habiba World

Habiba Beach Lodge founded — Established as a family-run eco-lodge in Nuweiba, South Sinai, promoting sustainable tourism and community engagement.

1,994

Habiba World

Habiba Organic Farm initiated — Launched to combat desertification and promote food security through regenerative agriculture practices.

2,007

Habiba World

Habiba Learning Center opened — Provided educational support and after-school programs for local children, emphasizing community development.

2,013

Habiba World

Joined Ecosystem Restoration Communities — Became part of a global network dedicated to restoring degraded ecosystems and promoting sustainable living.

2,019

Habiba World

Planted over 3,500 trees — Marked a significant achievement in reforestation efforts and combating climate change in the Sinai region.

2,021

Habiba World

Strategic SDG alignment launched — Integrated Sustainable Development Goals into all projects, reinforcing commitment to global sustainability standards.

2,024

Our Board

Maged El Said

Maged is the founder of Habiba Community in Nuweiba, South Sinai. Since establishing Habiba in the early 1990s together with his family, he has dedicated his life to transforming a small seaside lodge into a thriving model of regenerative agriculture, eco-tourism, and social innovation. What began as a dream of living in harmony with the Bedouins and the desert has grown into an ecosystem that combines sustainable food production, research partnerships, and education for local Bedouin children and women. Maged’s vision has always centered on community empowerment and over the years he has created opportunities for Bedouin families to secure livelihoods, strengthen cultural identity, and engage in global networks of knowledge exchange. Today, Maged is recognized as a bridge-builder between local traditions and global networks, hosting researchers, students, and changemakers who come to learn from Habiba’s living lab.

Jeffrey Prins

Jeffrey is a strategic advisor with nearly 30 years of experience in politics, impact investing, and philanthropy, dedicated to climate and equity—especially the role of energy in driving both. He previously led the renewable energy portfolio at the IKEA Foundation, focusing on poverty alleviation and climate action through energy access. Before that, he managed investments and partnerships for the DOEN Foundation across climate, circular economy, agriculture, and nature conservation themes. Jeffrey has also worked in Dutch and European politics, including serving on the Amsterdam City Council. He currently advises the Cradle-to-Cradle Products Innovation Institute and serves on the Board of the Climate Group Europe.

Julian Kuntzsch

Julian combines expertise in agroecology, resilient farming and food systems, and sustainability consulting with a strong focus on social dimensions of change. Trained as an Environmental Engineer (BEng) with a double MSc from Wageningen University and ISARA Lyon, he links on-the-ground practice with systemic approaches. Julian has worked with Metabolic, Concular, and the Berlin Institute for Ecological Economy Research on projects ranging from circular construction to biodiversity policy monitoring. Through non-profit work in South Africa, Nepal, Ecuador, and Egypt, he deepened his commitment to shifting the global and local development narrative toward valuing indigenous knowledge alongside academia and strengthening local people's agency to shape their own futures. At Habiba Community in South Sinai, he currently coordinates academic relations, partnerships, and collaborative research.

What We’ve Achieved Together

Trees Planted (2021)
0 +
Kids at Learning Center (since 2013)
0 K+
Families Farming (since 2013)
0 +

Be Part of the Next Chapter

We’re always looking for new partners, friends, and supporters to join our journey. Let’s grow something beautiful — together.