DROSOS FOUNDATION has been supporting young people in Egypt since 2009, currently focusing our work on Greater Cairo, Alexandria, Fayoum, Qena, Luxor, and Aswan. Aligned with Egypt Vision 2030, our support equips youth with the skills, tools, and competencies to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy while advancing inclusive opportunities. DROSOS FOUNDATION funds local partners that support young people in realising their potential, and leading positive change in their communities, ensuring a more inclusive, equitable and sustain-able future for all.
DROSOS FOUNDATION’S work in Europe focuses on Switzerland and Eastern Germany, where it has been active since 2005 and 2006 respectively. Inequalities persist in both countries, limiting the participation of youth from disadvantaged backgrounds in society. Many young people lack the necessary skills and confidence to navigate the increasingly complex job market and overcome systemic barriers to social and economic participation. DROSOS FOUNDATION funds partners who support young people in tackling these challenges and change the underlying systems for the better.
Since 2006, DROSOS FOUNDATION has actively engaged local partner organisations in urban and rural areas in Lebanon, Palestine (since 2007) and Jordan (since 2013). The cooperations focus on supporting young people in entering the world of work, further developing critical thinking and 21st century skills, and promoting an active participation in society for all. DROSOS FOUNDATION is dedicated to assist its partners in strengthening their organisational structure and functions, to help ensure a continuation of relevant youth-centred programmes in the long term.
DROSOS FOUNDATION has been active in Morocco since 2007 and in Tunisia since 2013, where various collaborations were established with local partners in order to address the key challenges facing youth in the region. Besides supporting the implementation of impactful pro-jects focused on empowering youth and building their capacities for a better inclusion in the society, our foundation also contributes to reinforcing our partners in their organisational structure and resources.
Young people today navigate an increasingly complex world, shaped by interconnected challenges such as climate change, economic transformation, social fragmentation, political instability, and conflicts. These global disruptions significantly impact young people’s transition into adulthood, influencing their career prospects, well-being, and overall outlook on the future.
Through deep community engagement, insights from over two decades of philanthropic work, and a multi-level systemic change diagnosis, we have identified three interconnected thematic focus areas. These thematic areas guide our work across regions to empower young people to navigate and address today’s global challenges:
Skills Development
By prioritising skills development, particularly future-oriented competencies like digital literacy, critical thinking, adaptability, and creativity, alongside vocational training, we prepare young people to meet the evolving demands of a rapidly changing world and job market. Providing creative spaces for self-discovery and collective action can nurture growth and resilience, enabling youth to adapt to change, innovate in the face of crises, and strive to transform challenges into opportunities.
Entrepreneurship
Strengthening entrepreneurship ecosystems opens essential economic pathways for young people, especially in areas with limited employment prospects. By prioritising socially responsible entrepreneurship and enabling the enablers and spaces supporting social business development, we equip youth with the means to address the problems they see in their communities, fostering a sense of agency and responsibility. Socially responsible entrepreneurs can create sustainable solutions to environmental, social, cultural, and economic challenges.
Social and Economic Inclusion
Promoting social and economic inclusion is crucial to ensuring that young people from all backgrounds have equal opportunities to thrive. Marginalised youth are often disproportionately affected by crises and can feel excluded from mainstream economic and social structures. Social and economic inclusion initiatives and especially those informed or led by individuals with lived experience of vulnerability, can create meaningful pathways for these young people to access quality education, mentorship, and job opportunities, building a sense of belonging and purpose.
A principles-based approach
In our work, we apply systems change practices and principles to guide our engagement with partners and stakeholders, enabling young people to shape their own futures. These principles are intended to be relevant across diverse contexts and situations and will be the foundation of our efforts to monitor, evaluate and learn from our work.
Advance Equitable Opportunities for Young People
We prioritise human-centred, accessible opportunities for young people, particularly those who are disadvantaged, to develop their full potential.
Support Local Leadership & Youth Agency
We cultivate trusting relationships with locally led organisations and initiatives that actively engage young people in the design and delivery of programming, strengthening their agency and leadership.
Build Connections & Capacity
We facilitate connections across local and global initiatives to enhance partner organisations’ capacity and resilience to enable greater impact on youth, communities and ecosystems.
Cultivate Learning & Impact
We create dynamic spaces and processes to share successes and challenges, in order to help build more effective and impactful youth-focused initiatives.
Strive for Sustainability
We consider and foster the long-term viability of initiatives to make a positive and sustainable change in the lives of young people and their communities.
We mainly fund projects having a direct, sustainable impact on young people’s lives and are committed to supporting programmatic activities that strengthen systemic and long-term im-pact in the communities we serve.
Who can apply?
We support organisations and their initiatives that work closely with young people and their communities. We aim to ensure that solutions are locally led, relevant to the context, and sus-tainable.
Our support is focused on, but not limited to, non-profit organisations. When supporting asso-ciations, community-based organisations or social enterprises, the non-profit nature of the activities must be assured. We only support organisations that are ideologically, politically, and religiously independent.
We strongly encourage applications from young and emerging organisations that offer innovative solutions and need both funding and strategic support to grow their impact and strengthen their organisational structure.
What do we fund and how?
We fund projects and initiatives that lead to direct and sustainable improvements in people’s lives, focusing on:
- Young people, particularly those who are disadvantaged due to social, economic or personal barriers and need support to access equal opportunities.
- Communities creating an enabling environment for young people, especially those facing situations of exclusion and vulnerability.
- Young professionals, entrepreneurs and founders at the early stages of their careers.
Our support is focused on projects that align with our vision, resonate with our principles, and connect with at least one of our three focus areas: Skills development, Entrepreneurship, Social and economic inclusion.
We prioritise innovative projects that create positive change for individuals and society by introducing new ideas or scaling proven approaches.
Where do we support?
We support organisations and projects within our geographic focus, encompassing in alphabetical order: Egypt, Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Switzerland, and Tunisia.
What to consider before sending a request?
If your work aligns with our funding priorities as stated under “How we fund”, you can submit your funding request with a brief concept note of 2 pages maximum. This will help us understand the project and assess alignment. Please do NOT send a full project proposal right away.
Before you send a request, please read the section “How we fund” carefully.
We DO NOT support the following:
- Individual requests, such as scholarships, or personal financial support.
- Organisations that are NOT ideologically, politically, or religiously independent.
- Projects outside our thematic and geographic focus.
- Interventions that provide primarily emergency aid/ humanitarian relief.
Please note that we will not respond to requests that do not correspond to our criteria. Thank you for your understanding.
How to submit a request?
If your project idea aligns with our funding priorities, you can submit your funding request through a brief concept note of 2 pages max. We don’t require a specific format for the concept note, but suggest to include information about:
Your organisation
- Kind of organisation incl. legal entity and registration
- Relevant experiences and partnerships
- Useful links, e.g. website, latest annual report, etc.
The project
- Challenge and context
- Target groups
- Activities and approach
- Location
- Duration
- Rough budget estimate
- Expected outcomes
Our partnership
- Link to thematic focus area(s)
- Type of support needed
If your concept aligns with our priorities, we will get in touch with you and ask you to provide further information on the proposed project idea.
Where to send your request?
Please assess the main location of your initiative or organisation and submit your concept note or inquiry to the respective department:
Department Europe:
Contact requests regarding Switzerland and Germany should be sent in German or French to the team Europe: info@drosos.org
Department Levant:
Contact requests regarding Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine should be sent in English to the team Levant: levant@drosos.org
Office Cairo:
Contact requests regarding Egypt should be sent in English to the team in Cairo: cairo@drosos.org
Arabic requests will be accepted if English is not possible.
Office Casablanca:
Contact requests regarding Morocco and Tunisia should be sent in French or English to the team in Casablanca: casablanca@drosos.org
The Foundation was established in late 2003 in Zurich, Switzerland. It has been operational since the beginning of 2005. It is ideologically, politically and religiously independent.
We envision a world where all young people have the opportunity to realise their full potential and collectively contribute to a more equitable, sustainable, peaceful, and just society. By fostering skills development, economic independence, and social inclusion, we seek to create pathways towards positive futures and a life of dignity.
Learn more about our thematic focus and our approach.
A team of dedicated professionals is working at DROSOS FOUNDATION’s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, and its offices in Cairo and Casablanca.
The Foundation Board is the supreme corporate body of the Foundation. It determines the Foundation’s strategic direction and takes all the important decisions. The Foundation Board can call on the help of two advisory committees which comprise members of the Foundation Board. The Finance Committee is responsible for the financial matters of the Foundation, whilst the Nomination and Compensation Committee looks after the personnel-related matters.
Markus E. Kronauer has been practising law in Zurich since 1995; he is also an expert in matters of taxation. He was invited to become the Foundation’s Vice-Chairman on its establishment. He has been appointed as the Foundation’s Chairman, effective as of July 2014. He studied law in St. Gallen.
Edith Kolb has been practising law in Zurich since 2003. She was invited to join the Foundation’s Board on its establishment. She studied law in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Hans-Rudolf Castell was appointed to the Foundation Board in 2019. For 13 years, he headed the HR management Directorate of the Migros Group. Prior to this, he spent several years in the insurance industry, including in the management of two health insurers and as the secretary general of a travel insurance company. Hans-Rudolf Castell is a lawyer and graduated from the University of Bern, Switzerland.
Toni Stadler was appointed to the Foundation Board in 2019. He studied colonial history and biology in Zurich and Paris, and is active as a journalist and author. Stadler has worked for 25 years in the international service of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations and the OECD. Between 2008 and 2012, he headed the ‘Analysis and Politics’ department of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
Barbara Grünewald was appointed to the Foundation Board in 2019. She has been active in the financial sector for over 20 years, including leading positions in the areas of institutional investment management, risk management and wealth management. Barbara Grünewald completed her studies in Mathematics at the Universities of Heidelberg and Freiburg, Germany, and graduated from the University of Mainz, Germany, with a doctorate in Finance.
Stefan Kraft has been practising law in Zurich since 1964. He was a member of the Foundation Board from the Foundation’s inception until 2018, and served as its Chairman until 2014. Stefan Kraft remains non-registered Chairman of Honours of the Foundation Board. He studied law in Zurich, Paris and Cambridge, Massachusetts (USA).
Suba Umathevan is the CEO of DROSOS FOUNDATION. She holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs with a specialisation in International Law from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland, and an Honours degree in International Studies and Modern Languages from the University of Ottawa in Canada.
She began her international career as a research fellow at UNESCO-International Bureau of Education. She has spent nearly a decade in Non-profit management, during which time she has dedicated her work to women’s and children’s rights. She led development programmes in a number of countries in Africa, Asia and South America. Throughout, her thematic expertise is in women’s economic empowerment, education in emergencies, gender-based violence, female genital mutilation/cutting, and early marriage.
She spent several years designing and leading learning programs for people on the ground as well as strategy development for executives across the globe. These help to identify global megatrends and prepare leaders for transformation. Before joining DROSOS FOUNDATION, she was the CEO of Plan International Switzerland, an organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.
Corinna Gröger was appointed Chief Operating Officer by the Foundation in 2018. She has previously occupied leadership roles with international and cross-functional scope in the Financial Services Industry, including as Chief of Staff of large global divisions, Audit manager, and Director of strategic projects and programmes in the areas of organisational, process and system development. Corinna Gröger holds a Master in Business Administration from the University St. Gallen and certificates in Internal Auditing, Project Management and Risk Management Assurance.
Andrea Fernandez joined DROSOS FOUNDATION in October 2023 as HR Manager. Prior to that, she worked in different HR functions for more than 15 years. She has gained broad experience in the Group HR of an international insurance company as well as in several Swiss companies. Andrea holds a degree as Human Resources Specialist and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Employment Life Cycle.
Markus Ineichen joined the DROSOS FOUNDATION in November 2021 as Finance Manager. Previously, he worked for a global child rights organisation in Zurich, where he managed the finances, HR and administration. He completed his postgraduate studies (MAS) in development cooperation at the ETH (NADEL) and worked in this context at the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) on a regional project in Southeast Asia to build sustainable value chains in the rice sector. He also has professional experience in asset management and auditing and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance & Banking and a Master’s degree in Public & Nonprofit Management from the University of Lucerne.
Andrea Bartl joined the DROSOS Foundation in 2021 as Specialist Project System, Payments, Management Support. She studied economics and banking and worked in the financial services sector for over 25 years. Post-graduate education qualifies her in the areas of international finance, project management and legal regulation. She also has programme and project management experience in NGOs/NPOs. She speaks several foreign languages and worked as a project manager at ConPexCo GmbH in the field of organisational development and business development before joining the DROSOS Foundation.
Justina Palmer Bahr has been DROSOS FOUNDATION’s IT assistant since 2016. Previously, she worked for ETH Zurich in the Mechanical and Process Engineering Department and the IT Services Department. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in information technologies at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
Christian Strob is the Chief Programme Officer of the DROSOS FOUNDATION. With more than 10 years of international experience in the philanthropic sector, he combines methodological skills in foundation strategy design and delivery with hands-on work experience in inclusive project development for young people and marginalized groups.
Building on an academic background in Middle Eastern studies, political science, and anthropology, he started his international career as Cultural Manager at the German Consulate General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He developed partnerships and piloted projects focusing on youth engagement, women’s education, and human rights in the framework of Germany’s foreign cultural and educational policy.
Before joining the DROSOS FOUNDATION he took on a wide range of responsibilities in developing organisational grant making strategies, evidence-based impact assessment models, and programme portfolios at the Global Issues department of the Robert Bosch Stiftung. In his capacity as Senior Project Manager at one of the largest corporate foundations in Europe, he also contributed to the most comprehensive strategy review process of its international work since its inception.
Ingo Tegge joined DROSOS FOUNDATION in March 2023 as the Head of Programmes Europe. He started his international career at the German cultural organization Goethe-Institut with assignments in South Africa and Nigeria. Afterwards, he gained experience in the business sector, working for a consultancy focused on innovation management and new work concepts in the greater Stuttgart area, Germany. Before joining DROSOS, Ingo Tegge managed the Goethe-Zentrum Klausenburg in the Transylvanian academic, cultural, and economic hub of Cluj-Napoca, Romania for seven years. As the centre’s director, he shaped its strategic vision and programmes and led numerous projects addressing topics such as migration, violence against women, and media literacy. Ingo Tegge is passionate about bridging cultural differences and knowledge transfer. He holds a Magister degree in Modern German Literature from the Free University of Berlin.
Jennifer Tharr joined the DROSOS FOUNDATION in August 2023. Her academic background in Modern German Literature and Theater Studies led her to several roles in the German theater world as editor, cultural mediator and project manager. Convinced about the power of participative cultural work, she then worked for the German Association for Socioculture in Berlin for more than eight years. There, she lead “START – Create Cultural Change”, a Greek-German capacity building and fellowship programme of the Robert Bosch Stiftung. When the pandemic hit, she took over the lead of “NEUSTART”, an emergency programme for Corona-related investments in cultural institutions, which served as a pilot for the “NEUSTART KULTUR” programme of the Federal Commissioner for Culture and Media. Before joining the DROSOS FOUNDATION, she was the spokesperson for cultural policy at the German Association for Socioculture.
Robert Kusche joined DROSOS FOUNDATION as a Programme Manager Germany in October 2023. In the past ten years, he gained valuable experience at RAA (Regional Offices for Education, Integration and Democracy) Saxony, where he was responsible for the overall management, the implementation of innovative projects and the counselling of victims of right-wing, racist and anti-Semitic violence as Managing Director. As a board member of the Association of Counselling Centres for Victims of Right-wing, Racist and Anti-Semitic Violence (VBRG), he was involved in the founding of the association and campaigned for the rights of victims at the federal level. Robert is always on the lookout for new, progressive social projects, especially in rural areas. He holds a Master’s degree in Eastern European Studies from the Free University of Berlin, a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the TU Dresden and an Executive Master in Public Management from the Hertie School of Governance.
Christoph Meneghetti joined DROSOS FOUNDATION in December 2023. He has gained experience in various fields of the arts and in cultural institutions of different sizes, as a performer, manager, artistic director and board member. Prior to joining DROSOS, Christoph was a project manager in the culture department of Christoph Merian Foundation in Basel, where he managed grants and funding relationships at all levels. During this time, he focused on new funding models for organisational development and frameworks for alternative, artist-run or community-run art spaces. Being an advocate for inclusion, Christoph’s work has increasingly focused on addressing the lack of diversity and participation in many areas of society. He holds a Master’s degree in German literature and linguistics, theatre studies, and English literature. While working in philanthropy, he has completed a Diploma of Advanced Studies in NPO management and law, as well as certificates in social work and systemic coaching.
Angela Serratore joined DROSOS FOUNDATION in July 2024, bringing with her a wealth of international experience and a passion for sustainability and education. With an academic background in International Management, she has studied and worked in Switzerland and abroad. She also conducted research in Sierra Leone on natural resources and conflicts, further broadening her international expertise. Over the past ten years she worked as a project and programme manager, developing innovative and practice-oriented educational programmes and training for children, students and employees. Her business acumen and interest in sustainable development led her to complete an agricultural internship on an organic farm, where she gained additional practical experience. Before founding the Climate School Programme in Switzerland, she worked for a Swiss foundation, where she was responsible to implement sustainable agricultural projects in Côte d’Ivoire. Her extensive experience in nonprofit organizations has equipped her with the expertise to ensure that her projects are effective and sustainably enduring.
Regula Kaufmann joined DROSOS FOUNDATION as a Programme Manager in 2015. In 2023, she took on additional responsibilities and was appointed Head of Programmes Levant. Prior to joining the Foundation, she coordinated and managed projects promoting good governance in the Middle East and North Africa for the Geneva-based organisation DCAF – the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces. Moreover, she has worked for local NGOs in the Middle East and East Asia, where she gained several years of experience in human rights and community-based tourism initiatives. She holds an MA in International Relations from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva and a Diploma of Advanced Studies in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from the University of Basel.
Giulia Pianigiani was appointed Programme Manager by the Foundation in 2021. Prior to joining the Foundation, she was responsible for managing the partnership between the Swiss Development Cooperation and the United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees as well as for overseeing the development and the monitoring of the Swiss Cooperation strategy in Gaza and the West Bank. Moreover, she has worked for the United Nations, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in East Jerusalem, Europe and Morocco. Her expertise includes strategic coordination, programme management and partnership building with UN agencies, governments, and civil society.She holds an MA in Political Sciences from the Luis Guido Carlo University in Rome, a BA in Environment and Development from the London School of Economics and a Certificate in Organizational Development from the Harvard Extension School.
Hermona Abraham Brahmi was appointed Project Manager by the Foundation in 2019. Prior to this, she was Program Officer for the African Innovation Foundation, in which role she provided management and operational support to the Innovation Prize for Africa program. She has experience in numerous NGOs and Public-Private Partnerships, including the Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN), the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in Switzerland. Hermona Brahmi Abraham holds an MA in International Public Management and Policy from the University of Geneva and Erasmus University of Rotterdam and a BA in Political Science from the University of Lausanne.
Moath Isied joined DROSOS in May 2023 as Programme Manager. He is experienced in culture development for social and political change and has managed a variety of projects in Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, and Germany.
Through the Baladk Street and Urban Arts Project in Jordan, Moath supported local emerging artists and youth to further build their capacities by creating a platform and a space to learn, share and collaborate.
After a replacement at DROSOS FOUNDATION in 2021, Sabrina Mayoufi permanently joined DROSOS in March 2024. She brings along a wealth of experience in the fields of both humanitarian work and development cooperation. Most recently, Sabrina was a Programme Manager at Solidar Suisse. Before that, she was responsible at Helvetas to build the risk and disaster preparedness and intervention capacities in Helvetas’ partner countries worldwide. She also contributed to the development and launch of Helvetas’ programmes in Lebanon and Jordan. Sabrina started her career with the Red Cross and NGOs, served then at the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) in Albania, and afterwards joined the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) in Rome.
She holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Université La Sorbonne, Paris I and Nanterre Paris X, as well as a DEEA in European Studies from the College of Europe in Bruges/Belgium. Sabrina is fluent in French, English, German, Italian and Dutch, and speaks basic Arabic and Spanish.
Dominic Jenni joined DROSOS FOUNDATION in December 2024 after living and working in the Middle East for several years. He held the position of Livelihoods and Economic Recovery Technical Coordinator with the Regional Office of the Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (Acted) in Jordan, steering programs on resilience building, food security, and market development. Previously, he assumed roles with various organizations and institutions in the fields of economic recovery, protection, and peace building, as well as education/skills development, including the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). Dominic holds a Master of Advanced Studies in Development and Cooperation from ETH Zurich (NADEL), a Teaching Degree in Higher Education from the Berne University of Teacher Education, and a Master of Arts in History from the University of Berne.
Enas Abu Zeinah has been with DROSOS FOUNDATION since 2018 and was Head of Finance and Administration for Palestine until the end of 2023. Since the beginning of 2024, she is responsible for finances for the entire Levant region. Prior to joining DROSOS FOUNDATION, she worked for 12 years as Finance & Compliance Manager for international organisations in Palestine and later as Financial Management Advisor for the Intrahealth organisation to improve and enhance the system of referrals at the Palestinian Ministry of Health. She worked for three years as a Financial Consultant for several local and international organisations operating in Palestine. She has key experience in financial management, auditing, compliance, budgeting and human resource management. She holds a B.A in Accounting with a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
Devoted to helping unlock the potential of young people, Hanan Dowidar joined DROSOS FOUNDATION in November 2023 as Country Director Egypt. Hanan is a development expert with diverse experience working for international organizations, government agencies, educational institutions and civil society associations.
Commencing her career as an economist at the Egyptian Ministry of International Cooperation, Hanan later transitioned to the World Bank, serving both at its Washington DC headquarters and the Cairo office. Later, in her role as the Deputy Director of the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Programme – funded by the European Commission and managed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research – Hanan initiated numerous initiatives dedicated to public engagement with science, particularly targeting children and youth. Hanan also consulted diverse organizations including the American University in Cairo (AUC) on informal science education.
Before joining DROSOS FOUNDATION, Hanan worked as the Head of Strategic Partnerships at 1001 Inventions, a leading British science and cultural heritage organization. There, she led educational campaigns around the world and developed a global network of strategic partnerships.
Rania Elsabbahy has been responsible for the Finance & Administration Department since 2012. She has previously held various finance roles in the private sector and has also worked for international humanitarian organisations in Egypt. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Auditing at the University of Cairo.
May Abu Seoud joined the Foundation as a Programme Manager in 2017. Previously, she worked for a number of Egyptian and international organisations, such as the Egyptian Radio and Television Union, CARE International and the American University in Cairo. As a consultant, she collaborated with several organisations including the German development organisation GIZ, CARE, Save the Children and the American University in Cairo. She has fifteen years’ experience in development and particular expertise in documenting the processes of community development projects. She holds a Master’s degree in Community Development and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the American University in Cairo.
Mary Ramsis was appointed Programme Manager by the Foundation in 2016. Previously, she worked for several international organisations such as CARE International, World Education, Agriteam Canada and the Coady International Institute. She holds a Master’s degree in Participation, Power and Social Change from the Institute of Development Studies at Sussex University in the UK and an MBA from Cairo University in Egypt. She also has a Bachelor in French Literature from Egypt. Furthermore, she has completed professional development diplomas in Civil Society and Human Rights at Cairo University, in Executive Management at the American University of Cairo and in Community Development Leadership at the Coady International Institute.
Rana Khamis is a sustainable development enthusiast. Over the past 15 years, Rana gathered worldwide experience designing and implementing projects, as well as developing strategies with bilateral and multilateral organisations including the Danish Egyptian Dialogue Initiative, the German Development Cooperation in addition to holding different positions at UNDP in Cairo and Abu Dhabi. Rana obtained her Bachelor from the Arab Academy for Science and Technology, majoring in Tourism Management. She also received her first postgraduate studies in project management from Cardiff Metropolitan University in Wales and completed the second Master’s Degree in Public Policy at the American University in Cairo.
Youmna El Khattam has over 18 years of experience in international and community development, specializing in programme management, grants management, and fundraising. Before joining DROSOS FOUNDATION, she served as the MENA Regional Manager at Girl Up, a leadership initiative for girls and women at the United Nations Foundation, and spent six years at Oxfam North Africa Sub regional Hub as Program Manager for Economic and Gender Justice Programs in Egypt and North Africa Region. Throughout her career, Youmna has worked on initiatives that promote social justice, youth economic and social empowerment, and gender equality. Youmna is currently pursuing her master’s degree in International Development from SOAS, University of London.
Neveen Ezz Al Din has been responsible for the administration of the Office Cairo since 2017. Previously, she worked as a Programme Assistant at UNESCO’s Cairo office for 12 years, where she was involved in various sectors and assisted the director’s office. She was also responsible for media and communications relating to UNESCO’s activities. She holds a B.Sc. in Accounting and Auditing from Cairo University.
Passionate about community work and social impact, Maha Ech-Chefaa joined DROSOS FOUNDATION as a Country Director Morocco & Tunisia in September 2024. Having a background in IT, she changed her career path in 2015: she transitioned from a tech consultancy to a role as global Programme Management Officer at Enactus Morocco, where she stayed and held the position of Country Leader for the last six years before joining DROSOS FOUNDATION. Maha is particularly interested in how technology and entrepreneurship could bring positive social change and is mentoring young entrepreneurs in Morocco and worldwide. She was the president of “Junior Chamber International (JCI) of Rabat”, is alumna of TechWomen, Ashoka ChangemakerXchange and Enpact programs and ambassador of Google WomenTechMakers and Womenwill communities.
Maha holds a Master in Project Management from the Engineering School of CESI in Lyon, France, and a Master in Competitive Intelligence & Innovation Management from Jean Monnet University, France. She began her academic journey with a Bachelor in Information Management from the Information Science School in Rabat, Morocco.
Fouad Lamnaouar has been Head of Finance & Administration since 2012. He gained extensive experience in the management and administration of social development projects during his time at an international NGO in Morocco. He completed his degree in Management at the Institut Supérieur d’Informatique Appliqué et de Management in Agadir.
Ismail Lahlou joined the Foundation as a Programme Manager in 2017. Prior to that, he worked for consulting firms specialising in social, medico-social and health issues, where he carried out numerous consultancy assignments for public, private, and civil society organisations in France and internationally. For the past five years he managed the social assistance programme run by the Alliances Foundation in Morocco. He holds two Master’s degrees from the University of Montpellier in France, one in Intermediation and Social Development and the other in Organisations and Institutions.
Hanane Fzain was appointed Programme Manager by the Foundation in 2015. Previously, she worked for several national and international NGOs, including a Moroccan NGO concerned with the advancement of women’s rights and a Moroccan association that actively promotes the rights of people with disabilities and strives to improve their quality of life. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Mediation and a postgraduate degree in Organisational Communication.
Nabil El Qamçaoui’s background is in international relations and strategic partnerships. Before joining the DROSOS FOUNDATION in March 2024, Nabil served as a Program Officer at the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS), where he supported the activities of two departments: Partnerships and Research Support and Public Policy Lab. In a previous role as a Technical Advisor at GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH), Nabil contributed to the collaboration efforts with institutional partners and to the implementation of the “Sport for Development” project in Morocco and the “Inclusive Entrepreneurship Initiative” which supports and trains entrepreneurs from Morocco, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Mali. Nabil holds a Master’s degree International Relations from the Institut Québécois des Hautes Etudes Internationales of Laval University in Canada. His Master’s thesis explored the cooperation between Morocco and the European Union in the field of renewable energy.
Michèle Jöhr joined the DROSOS FOUNDATION as Communications Manager in December 2021. Prior to that, she was responsible for external communications at Plan International Switzerland, an NGO campaigning for children’s rights and equality for girls. Michèle Jöhr has gained broad experience in communications and marketing in various international companies in Geneva and in German-speaking Switzerland. She holds a degree as a PR specialist as well as a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Brand Journalism & Corporate Storytelling.
Steffi Michelberger joined the DROSOS FOUNDATION in October 2023 and supports the Leadership Team mainly in the project approval and strategy development processes as well as in the day-to-day business. Previously, she worked for 15 years in various positions at a major bank and a consulting firm. She studied business psychology, completed a banking education and holds an investment certificate from the CFA Institute.
Layal Dandache joined DROSOS FOUNDATION in 2014 as a Programme Manager for Egypt and, in 2025, transitioned into the role of Impact and Learning Manager. Previously, Layal worked with international organisations, including the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), focusing on knowledge management in agriculture and rural development across 10 MENA countries. She began her career in monitoring and evaluation at the Environment and Sustainable Development Unit at the American University of Beirut (AUB). Layal holds a BSc and MSc in Agricultural Sciences from AUB, complemented by advanced trainings in Multi-Stakeholder Policy Analysis and Action Planning (MPAP), Knowledge Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Outcome Mapping and Action Research.
DROSOS FOUNDATION is a private foundation constituted under Swiss law and acknowledged as a non-profit organisation. It is subject to supervision by the Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations, Berne.
The Foundation Board is the supreme corporate body of the Foundation. It determines the Foundation’s strategic direction and takes all important decisions. The Foundation is structured into departments/offices that cover different regions. The Foundation’s main office is based in Zurich.
DROSOS FOUNDATION has been entrusted with financial capital from its founder. We are dedicated to use this capital effectively to promote the foundation’s purpose and making a positive change in the world towards the Sustainable Development Goals. We do this not only by implementing the foundation’s core activities but also by investing in sustainable financial instruments. The capital of DROSOS FOUNDATION is managed professionally by external institutions under the supervision of the Foundation’s Finance Committee and Board in accordance with strict guidelines for sustainable investment (DROSOS FOUNDATION Sustainability Strategy). These guidelines take into account the Foundation’s purpose, the UN Sustainable development Goals (SDGs), the UN Global Compact as well as the ESG principles (environmental, social and governance) and related best practices for investments. DROSOS is a member of Ethos Foundation.
The auditing of the Foundation’s accounts is carried out by BDO AG, Zurich, in accordance with the recommendations of SWISS GAAP FER 21 on accounting and reporting for non-profit organisations. No information is disclosed on the amount of the Foundation’s capital.
The Foundation’s name – Drosos – is derived from the Greek word for morning dew. The three dots within the Foundation’s logo represent the three spheres of activity in which the Foundation may be active, based on the deed of foundation: Improving living conditions, promoting health, stimulating creative activities. The Foundation has defined its strategy and thematic priorities for its project work on the basis of the three spheres.
The Foundation keeps the public informed about its activities.
DROSOS FOUNDATION (hereinafter: Foundation) was established in Zurich on 31 October 2003 on behalf of its founder, Christa Gelpke-Engelhorn. It was registered in the Commercial Register on 11 November 2003.
Christa Gelpke-Engelhorn, born in 1932, daughter of Dr. Friedrich Carl – also known as Fritz – Engelhorn (1886 – 1956), set up the Foundation with part of the proceeds from the sale of her stake in the family holding company, Corange Ltd. Her father was a partner at Boehringer Mannheim GmbH, and she received part of his share. Boehringer Mannheim GmbH was later incorporated into the family holding company Corange Ltd., which was sold to Hoffmann-La Roche in 1998. The German/Swiss dual citizen, who died on 1 February 2014 in Küsnacht ZH, remained anonymous at her own request. This proved to be beneficial for the Foundation’s work as its organs, employees and third parties focused exclusively on the Foundation and its activities. In order to provide transparency about the origin of the funds, on 21 January 2020 – six years after the founder passed away – the Board of Trustees decided to publish her name. However, the main aim is to honour respectfully the memory of the founder. The Foundation’s organs and staff remain highly motivated in their realisation of effective projects to help the disadvantaged.
(Version as at 21.01.2020, published on 22.01.2020)
The annual reports of DROSOS FOUNDATION inform about the activities implemented by our partners and the achievements as a global foundation.
Previous editions:
Annual Report Poster 2018 (PDF)
The Foundation informs the public of its activities. The projects supported by the Foundation are at the forefront of its external communication. Partner organisations are encouraged to keep the general public continually informed about the work of their projects and their objectives as well as about the cooperation with DROSOS FOUNDATION, insofar as the circumstances of the project’s work allow.
We do not have any vacancies at the moment.