Vision & Mission | History | Founders | Awards | Friends, Partners & Network | Organizational Structure | Sustainability | International Projects

A Lot Has Happened Since 1977

The SEKEM Initiative was founded to realize the vision of sustainable human development. Its mission is the development of the individual, society and environment through a holistic concept which integrates economic, societal and cultural life. Above all, SEKEM aspires to be an impulse for continuous development in all parts of life, to be not only a model for, but also a contribution to the development of the entire world.

In 1977, Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish started the SEKEM Initiative on an untouched part of the Egyptian desert (70 hectares) 60 km northeast of Cairo. Using Biodynamic agricultural methods, desert land was revitalized and a striving agricultural business developed. Over the years, SEKEM became the umbrella of a multifaceted agro-industrial group of companies and NGOs. Today, SEKEM is regarded as a leading social business worldwide.

SEKEM in Years…

1970s

1977

SEKEM was established by Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish and his wife Gudrun, on 70 hectares of desert land by applying Biodynamic principles

1980s

1981

SEKEM sent the first shipment of medicinal herbs and food ingredients to the USA

1983

SEKEM launched its first product line of herbal remedies on the local pharmaceutical market under the brand name SEKEM Herbs. Foodstuff was introduced to the local market under the brand name ISIS
The German SEKEM Friends Association was founded in Germany by Elfriede and Hans Werner to support SEKEM’s cultural activities.
The Association for Cultural Development in Egypt was founded as a non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) in Germany

1984

The Egyptian Society for Cultural Development (SCD, later renamed to the SEKEM Development Foundation (SDF)) was founded, offering employee training in the field of arts and science

1986

ATOS Pharma was established as an international joint venture company between SEKEM, Deutsche Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG) and Dr. Schaette KG, to develop the Egyptian natural pharmaceutical market

1987

The SEKEM Kindergarten and the Mahad Adult Training Institute were established

1988

LIBRA was founded as a company specialized in packing and exporting fresh fruit and vegetables to Europe

1989

The SEKEM School started with primary and secondary stages

1990s

1990

ATOS Pharma set up regional sales and distribution offices in Alexandria, Assiut and Mansoura.
LIBRA started, in cooperation with EOSTA and Organic Farm Foods, the export of organic fresh fruits and vegetables to Europe
SEKEM encouraged the foundation of the Centre of Organic Agriculture in Egypt (COAE) as an independent certification body, working in accordance with Demeter guidelines and later the European Regulation for Organic Agriculture

1993

Libra for Organic Cultivation was established to coordinate the Organic cultivation of cotton and all other crops organically grown in Egypt

1994

Conytex (now NatureTex) was founded as a manufacturer of Organic Cotton Textiles
The Egyptian Biodynamic Association (EBDA) was founded as an independent non-governmental organization to provide agricultural training and consultancy services in Egypt

1995

ATOS Pharma launched a range of phytopharmaceuticals and started clinical trials in different medical departments at many university hospitals in Egypt

1996

Hator (now part of ISIS) was established as company for Fresh Organic Produce
Nature’s Best Shops were opened in Cairo to sell organically cultivated food products and organic textiles
SEKEM Development Foundation opened the SEKEM Medical Centre.
The International Association of Partnership for Ecology and Trade (IAP) was established between SEKEM and many of its international business partners

1997

SEKEM, ATOS Pharma, Conytex and Hator were ISO 9001 certified
ISIS starts to manufacture organic foodstuff
The SEKEM Vocational Training Center (VTC) and Arts School were established by the SEKEM Development Foundation and a Literacy Program for disadvantaged children was introduced

1998

Libra opened new mills and cleaning lines for cereals, rice and dry legumes

1999

The Centre of Organic Agriculture in Egypt (COAE) attained accreditation according to the international quality management procedures for product certifying bodies (EN45011)

2000ers

2000

SEKEM Academy for Applied Arts and Science (now part of the Heliopolis University) was founded and started research in the fields of medicine, pharmacy, agriculture and arts
The Cooperative of SEKEM Employees (CSE) was founded

2001

The SEKEM Holding was established for supporting, supervising and evaluating the SEKEM Group of Companies
The SEKEM Information and Management System (SIS) was introduced in all companies.
ATOS Pharma installed a new pilot extraction unit for medicinal plants
Libra extended its capacity by building new greenhouses, stables for cows and chicken farms

2002

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), one of the World Bank affiliates, and DEG participated in new investments of the SEKEM Group of Companies
SEKEM Academy for Applied Arts and Science built pharmaceutical and soil fertility laboratories

2003

SEKEM received the Alternative Nobel Prize or Right Livelihood Award
Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish was selected as an “Outstanding Social Entrepreneur” by the Schwab Foundation.
Citrus fruit and potatoes were among the first products sold as fair-trade certified by FLO Germany.

2004

SEKEM and Acumend Fund begun financing a project to encourage the growth of organic cultivation in Egypt
The SEKEM Development Foundation together with the University Witten/Herdecke formed a consortium with Cairo University, Helwan University, Zagazig University, Antwerp University, Marburg University, King’s College London and the University London School of Pharmacy to carry out the EU project DOPSE-TEMPUS to develop a phytopharmacy curriculum

2005

LOTUS was founded as a company processing Organic Biodynamic herbs and spices
Establishment of SEKEM Europe to support the overall goal of SEKEM Holding to process and market healthy and ethical products made from Biodynamic ingredients
SEKEM Museum for natural history and human prehistory opened for visitors
Egyptian Biodynamic Association started projects on new feed technology, improving seeds of medicinal and aromatic plants and use of solar dryers as alternative sustainable drying system for small growers
Start of a three-years “13 villages” project for comprehensive poverty alleviation intervention in rural Sharkeya, Egypt in cooperation with the SEKEM Friends Germany

2006

El Mizan for plant nursery grafting and raising young fruit and vegetable plants, was established

2007

EcoTec Holding was established as a sister organization of the SEKEM Holding, dedicated to renewable energy and other environmental services
Heliopolis Academy opened the Water Research Department working on advanced water and wastewater treatment technologies, advanced water disinfection techniques, doing research on state-of-the-art irrigation techniques as well as analyzing water for all applications
The SEKEM Environmental Science Center was founded to cooperate with the SEKEM School and all schools in the region in the fields of practical environmental science training

2008

Establishment of SEKEM for Land Reclamation (SLR), with the plan to reclaim and plant in total 6.000 feddan (2520 hectares) in North Sinai, the Bahareya Oasis, and in Minia Governorate
First Report on Sustainable Development was published for the year 2007
Development of the Sustainability Flower as reporting, assessment and management tool together with IAP

2009

Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development receives its acknowledgment by the Presidential Decree No. 298
First “Heliopolis Academy Innovation Award”.

From 2010

2010

Foundation of the international joint venture PREDATORS for breeding insects for organic pest control
SEKEM for Land Reclamation (SLR) takes over all agricultural cultivation activities form Libra and concentrates now on cattle management and compost production

2011

Second “Heliopolis Academy Innovation Award”

2012

Inauguration and opening of the Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development
“Business for Peace Award” by Oslo Business for Peace Foundation

2013

One World Family Award, Stuttgart, Germany
Excellence in Positive Change – Global Thinker Forum Award, Athens, Greece

2015

Golden Award of the Technical University Graz
Land for Life Award from United Nation Convention to Combat Desertification
Highest honorary medal by the German governorate of Baden-Wuerttemberg

2017

SEKEM celebrates 40 years of Sustainable Development and the 80th birthday of founder Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish
Ibrahim Abouleish passed away an June 15, at age of 80

2018

SEKEM was awarded the Luxembourg Peace Prize
Helmy Abouleish becomes United Nations NAP-Champion for the Adaptation to Climate Change
Heliopolis University opens the first Faculty of Organic Agriculture in Egypt and the Faculty of Physiotherapy
Helmy Abouleish becomes President of Demeter International
SEKEM publishes its SEKEM Vision for Egypt 2057
SEKEM founded the Verwaltungs GmbH in Germany for its new ownership structure

2019