Egypt’s centralized model of governance has struggled in the face of mounting population growth and a lack of resources. The aim of this study tour was to showcase decentralization of environmental planning and management. Several case studies from Europe have shown how a small municipality can, entirely through local initiatives, become sustainable. The tour focused on meetings with key European organizations that have supported the localization of environmental planning and management, where the participants explored mechanisms for citizen participation in the planning of community priorities, allocating financial resources, and monitoring implementation of both community and development projects.

The purpose of the Study Tour was to offer those in the Egyptian government charged with planning and implementing environmental policies and programs the opportunity to enhance their understanding of worldwide experience with environmentally compatible governance. The tour was developed to ensure the most efficient use of the participants’ time and to extend their knowledge in areas applicable to Egypt's five-year macroeconomic framework and strategy. Of particular importance was learning from efforts in Spain and France to implement Local Agenda 21 as a key tool for sustainability policies at a local level.

As a result of the Study Tour, the Egyptian participants were exposed to practical examples of how to build several local government units charged with environmental planning and mitigation strategies. Knowledge transfer was critical to strengthening Egypt’s EIA and monitoring capacities, by which projects are assessed according to an integrated system of environmental plans and local management mechanisms. Today this forms an integral part of Egypt’s environmental governance at national and local levels.