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Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Food rescue, drone tree planting startups win awards at Sustainable Impact Challenge
A company that rescues imperfect fruits and vegetables and a startup that uses drones to plant trees received top honours at the Sustainable Impact Challenge. Organised by Majra — National CSR Fund, the challenge picked projects with the maximum impact and gave away Dh600,000 to winners to continue their work. The first prize went to Herogo which was awarded Dh300,000. The initiative collects fruits and vegetables that are too big, too small or don't meet the requirements to be sold at supermarkets and delivers them to UAE residents at a discounted rate in an effort to reduce food waste. Buyers can save up to 30 percent of their grocery bills by subscribing to a Herogo box. 'It's a platform that is empowering millions of people to access affordable and healthy meal while fighting food waste,' said Daniel Solomon, founder of the company. 'In 2024 alone, we rescued over 400,000kg of fruits and vegetables from going to the landfill. That's about 1 million CO2 saved from nutritious food.' He added that with the prize, the company will be expanding its reach to reach more homes in the UAE and other Gulf countries. Recognition Majra is a UAE federal government entity dedicated to supporting the private sector in amplifying their impact in the space of CSR, ESG and sustainability. The Sustainable Impact Challenge identifies and celebrates outstanding CSR initiatives led by private sector companies, third-sector organisations, universities, and other institutions. The initiative saw a total of 228 entries, of which 100 were selected by an internal committee. These were then whittled down to the top 20 projects which were on display at the SEE Institute at Dubai Sustainable City. Each of the 20 projects were given a surprise cash award of Dh20,000 each during the announcement ceremony. According to Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra, the projects were selected based on specific factors. 'These 20 projects are more capable at scaling and creating bigger impact if they scale,' she said. 'We want to give visibility to projects that are really impactful, and we give the verified impact stamp to those projects. We're limiting social washing and greenwashing in the nation to really support private sectors' contributions.' Other winners The second place in the competition went to online tutoring firm Thiqa Education's 'One Dirham makes an impact' initiative. The firm donates Dh1 for every tutoring hour that is purchased from them to educational initiatives. 'In May we delivered more than 3,000 tutoring hours so we will donate more than Dh3,000,' said Hamdan Karmustaji, co-founder and CFO of the company. 'With this prize money, we are aiming to expand our impact to reach more people to create our pre-recorded lessons and sessions platform that will reach the targeted audience. Our vision is to make education accessible to everyone and everyone.' The third prize of Dh100,000 was won by Distant Imagery Solutions for their 'Rooted in Innovation' project that has been transforming mangrove planting in the UAE and internationally. With the prize money, the company is going to launch an initiative in Tonga. 'They've had a lot of tsunamis recently, and the areas behind the mangroves suffered the least because the mangroves really broke the surge,' said Cory Rhodes, co-founder of the company. 'We're we're going to work with them to co-develop and design the tech to figure out exactly how we need to tweak it. Then we're going to teach the communities how to build everything and maintain it and operate it and then leave them with all of the tools that they need so that the project is sustainable in the long term.' Ajman University received a special mention and Dh50,000 cash award for their project of getting students to plant mangrove trees. 'We have had over 1200 volunteers planting 3500 trees and 45 percent of our volunteers were below the age of 18,' said Maya Haddad, sustainability manager at the university. 'We get school children with us from schools that are underprivileged. Usually, they don't have access to inclusive, sustainable education that is hands-on, and this is a great opportunity for them.'
Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
Levene Energy to Spotlight Nigeria's Energy Diversification Prospects at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025
Yinka Adelodun, Executive Director of the Gas and Power Division at Levene Energy Holdings, will speak at this year's edition of African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies, highlighting Nigeria's evolving energy landscape and the role of integrated private sector players in advancing energy security and sustainability. Adelodun's participation reflects Levene Energy's pivotal role in driving Nigeria's energy diversification, particularly across the gas and renewables sectors. With over 80 million Nigerians still lacking access to electricity and proven natural gas reserves of 210 trillion cubic feet, the company is helping to harness domestic resources to support industrialization, power generation and inclusive energy access. At AEW: Invest in African Energies, Adelodun will contribute to strategic discussions and project showcases, spotlighting key investment and partnership opportunities within Nigeria's energy value chain. In the gas sector, Levene Energy is expanding midstream infrastructure through its subsidiaries. The company holds franchise licenses from the Nigeria Gas Marketing Company Limited for gas distribution in the Ibeju-Lekki and Badagry-Seme areas. Through its subsidiary Aegon Distribution Limited, Levene is also constructing pipelines for NNPC Gas Marketing, supporting the transportation of low-carbon gas as a substitute for diesel and addressing growing domestic demand. In the oil sector, the company is strengthening sustainability through She-Val Engineering, which provides emission reduction services for upstream projects. Levene Energy also owns two bitumen exploration and production assets in Ogun State, enhancing its vertically integrated model spanning upstream, midstream, and downstream operations. Levene Energy is further contributing to Nigeria's renewable energy ambitions through its partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency, focused on implementing rural generation projects and manufacturing solar PV systems in Ikotun. Coming into AEW 2025, Levene Energy is well-positioned to present its multi-sector investment portfolio and engage with partners to scale up energy solutions across Nigeria and beyond. 'Levene Energy is a strong example of how African companies can drive expertise and service delivery across the entire energy value chain. The company's 10-year footprint in Nigeria demonstrates the transformative impact of integrating oil, gas and renewable resources to achieve sustainable development,' said Oré Onagbesan, Program Director for AEW 2025. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber. About AEW: Invest in African Energies: AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit for more information about this exciting event.
Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
Majra – National CSR Fund honours top 20 CSR projects at inaugural Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025
H.E. Bin Touq: The UAE is deeply committed toward developing national initiatives that promote the values of social responsibility, and the 'Sustainable Impact Challenge' embodies our vision of encouraging responsible business practices The event witnessed several sessions and meetings that discussed a range of topics, including: Barriers that hinder the advancement of social responsibility in the UAE and the need for stronger regulatory frameworks to adopt CSR initiatives across the private sector. The importance of supporting public-private collaborations in developing the impact economy and promoting sustainable and comprehensive development. UAE: MAJRA – National CSR Fund recognised the top three winning projects and honoured 17 other initiatives shortlisted for the inaugural edition of Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025, during a prestigious awards ceremony held at the SEE Institute in The Sustainable City, Dubai. Held under the patronage and in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of Majra's Board of Trustees, alongside prominent figures, such as H.E. Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority, the event celebrated innovative initiatives that created tangible impact in the nation's sustainability landscape. H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said: 'The UAE is deeply committed toward developing national strategies and programs that uphold social responsibility and encourage sustainable practices across all sectors. At Majra, we are pleased to play a key role in this effort by fostering collaboration and building strong partnerships with the private sector. The launch of the first edition of the Sustainable Impact Challenge, which will be held annually, reflects our mission to instil corporate CSR values and nurture a culture of sustainable development. Through this initiative, we aim to support impactful private sector projects that align with the national agenda, contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and promote responsible business practices. This is in line with our broader commitment to shaping a more resilient and sustainable future in accordance with the 'We the UAE 2031' vision.' The Sustainable Impact Challenge is a national platform designed to identify and celebrate outstanding CSR initiatives led by private sector companies, third-sector organisations, universities, and other institutions. It reflects Majra's firm dedication to empowering these vital contributors and directing their efforts toward sustainable development. By recognising impactful initiatives, the Challenge further supports the UAE's broader national drive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promotes the adoption of CSR and sustainability practices across all major sectors. In her speech, H.E. Hessa Buhumaid affirmed the pivotal role played by Majra through the launching of such CSR initiatives and the identification of effective private sector leadership that would enhance social impact. H.E. highlighted the importance of this Challenge as the first initiative showcasing projects with significant environmental, economic, and social impact in conjunction with the prestigious 'Year of Community' program. Her Excellency praised the efforts of the third sector in providing valuable contributions and actively tackling social, environmental, and economic issues. The top three winners included HeroGo, for its project 'Empowering the GCC to access better quality and more affordable groceries while eliminating food waste'; Thiqa Education's '1 Dirham makes an impact' initiative; and Distant Imagery Solutions' 'Rooted in Innovation UAE Engineered Drones Transform Mangrove Restoration' initiative. Together, they were awarded a total cash prize of AED 600,000 in recognition of their exceptional contributions to sustainable development in the UAE. Additionally, the other shortlisted sustainability initiatives were acknowledged for their outstanding efforts and given the opportunity to showcase their project outcomes. Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra, said: 'We are delighted to identify and honour the innovative, impactful projects through the Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025. These initiatives highlight the pivotal role of private sector firms in driving sustainable change. At Majra, we look forward to relentlessly supporting such efforts that contribute to the UAE's vision for a sustainable, inclusive and resilient future.' On the sidelines of the event, several sessions and meetings were held to reinforce Majra's lead role in fostering sustainability in various industries. A key session at the event featured H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Vice Chairman of Majra's Board of Trustees, along with undersecretaries from five ministries to discuss the main challenges that hinder the advancement of social responsibility in the UAE. Key issues highlighted included the lack of opportunities that encourage private sector involvement, ongoing environmental hurdles and ways to find adequate solutions, and the need for stronger regulatory frameworks that require organisations to implement CSR practices. Another key session titled, 'The Role of Public, Private and Third Sector in Developing an Impact Economy,' explored the importance of cross-sector collaboration in building a sustainable economy. The panel featured thought leaders including Dr. Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson and Co-Founder, Emirates Environmental Group, Chandran Nair, Founder and CEO, Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT) and H.E. Maysa Al Nowais, Executive Director – Community Engagement and Volunteering, Social Contributions Authority – Ma'an. The session was moderated by Mohammed Hanif Al Qassim. The event also hosted the inaugural meeting of the Fashion Sustainability Taskforce, held in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri. The meeting laid the groundwork for future collaboration and set the direction for a unified roadmap to promote sustainability within the fashion industry. The Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025 stands as a testament to Majra's unwavering commitment towards establishing a thriving ecosystem that encourages and supports CSR initiatives in line with the UAE's strategic development goals.
