To achieve this aim, HEPCA’s Hayah (meaning ‘life’ in Arabic) project has created a platform for our ambitions within the communities of the Red Sea.

HEPCA is actively spearheading a number of community based initiatives aimed at engaging and empowering the Red Sea’s local community. Every day we are witnessing the transformative capabilities of HEPCA’s philosophy as members within our community take on a more active role in conservation.

Empowering HEPCA’s momentous calling will always be that sense of ownership we invoke out of the community and our members. It’s this community empowerment that has allowed HEPCA to serve as a platform for mobilizing grass-roots community reform.

Our pro-active stance towards social issues is what has ensured the success and long-term sustainability of HEPCA’s projects and campaigns. We regularly meet with community leaders to ensure that our activities fall in-line with the expectations of the inhabitants of our region. Our programs include environmental awareness raising activities targeted at the local community, schools, tourism industry and service providers.

A number of community development projects to encourage sustainability amongst local Bedouins have been some of our most important achievements. HEPCA has been supporting their skills in handcrafts and embroidery and established 2 handicraft centers in Shallateen and Hamata. The centers offer professional training in branding, marketing, and enhancement of their products. HEPCA’s long-term plans include many initiatives that seek to integrate the Bedouins into the tourism industry, while allowing them to continue living with their traditional customs. Our waste management strategy for the Red Sea has also served a great role in creating income and employment for some of the impoverished local community.