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Mid East Info
2 days ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
Majra – National CSR Fund honours top 20 CSR projects at inaugural Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025 - Middle East Business News and Information
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, June, 2025: 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.
Zawya
04-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Majra – National CSR Fund holds Sustainable Impact Committees meeting to review key projects
United Arab Emirates: MAJRA – National CSR Fund held a meeting of the UAE Sustainable Impact Committees in the presence of His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Board of Trustees to review and discuss its key projects. The meeting explored diverse project aspects, with a focus on supporting national sustainable development efforts, while driving long-term positive impact across various sectors. H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri remarked that sustainable impact is an indispensable facet of the nation's economic and social development strategies, further noting that the meeting reflects Majra's steadfast commitment to transforming national vision into impactful projects that positively influence individuals and communities. His Excellency also stated that such initiatives aid in the creation of a sustainable model, which can serve as a global and regional benchmark, further consolidating the UAE's position as a pioneer in driving holistic development. Furthermore, the meeting featured detailed presentations by the chairs and members of the UAE Sustainable Impact Committees, highlighting important initiatives and executive action plans to foster integration between government entities and the private sector. It also reviewed the most significant projects developed within the national committees' framework, spotlighting major achievements and six-month implementation plans aimed at creating tangible impact across the nation. These initiatives are led by an ambitious vision to leverage all available resources to catalyse sustainable development, in line with the core principle of 'sustainable impact at all levels'. As a leading federal entity, Majra remains steadfast in its efforts to support sustainable projects that promote environmental conservation and social well-being. Moreover, by nurturing strategic alliances between the public, private and non-profit sectors, the organisation aims to create long-term value and generate meaningful impact, aligning with the UAE's national priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). -Ends-
Web Release
30-04-2025
- Business
- Web Release
MAJRA – National CSR Fund reviews key community initiatives and approves new frameworks to enhance corporate social responsibility in UAE
By Editor_wr Last updated Apr 30, 2025 MAJRA – National CSR Fund held its second Policies and Strategies Committee meeting for 2025 to explore ways to advance the UAE's sustainable development goals through enhanced cross-sector collaboration and the rollout of new tools and frameworks to drive national impact. The meeting was Chaired by H.E Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, and Head of the Policies and Strategies Committee, and attended by H.E. Hanan Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, and the Deputy of the Policies and Strategies Committee; Bedour Saeed Al Raqbani, Board Member of American University of Sharjah; H.E. Abdulaziz Al Jaziri, Deputy CEO of Dubai Future Foundation and Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra – National CSR Fund. The meeting reviewed key ongoing initiatives and approved several tools designed to streamline sustainable project qualification and verification processes. It also placed a major emphasis on increasing private sector engagement in the fund's initiatives, validating project assessment mechanisms, and introducing new initiatives such as the Impact Index. It also addressed the 'Transformational Projects Framework', which is being developed by the Emirati committees for social responsibility and sustainability, chaired by the chambers of commerce and industry in each emirate. The strategy formulated as a part of the Impact Retreat held in November 2024 was also reviewed, and strategic initiatives aligning with the UAE's vision to enhance social sustainability, were launched. H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi said, 'Inspired by the insightful vision of the UAE's wise leadership and in accordance with their forward-looking directives, we are creating a roadmap to build a more sustainable and prosperous future by strengthening the private sector's corporate social responsibility framework. We also hope to enhance sustainable impact and expand the participation of private sector institutions in light of global changes and best international practices, further building upon the achievements of Majra's key initiatives like 'Impact Seal', 'MAJRA Council', and 'Impact Index'. Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra, said: 'Majra is responsible for providing the necessary frameworks and enablers to enhance the contribution of the private sector in shaping the UAE's sustainable future, while embedding social responsibility and sustainable impact as cornerstones of the institutional work system. Furthermore, we remain steadfast in our efforts to establish a robust foundation for collaborations, and sustainable impact, by supporting the approved projects and activating the reference frameworks specified under the impact index.' The committee further reviewed updates to the Sustainable Impact Challenge, including the integration of the Majra Entity Portal and the launch of new award categories within the challenge. These updates aim at expanding outreach and encouraging broader participation from businesses and organisations across the UAE in this challenge, which was launched during the fourth edition of Investopia 2025. The meeting also reviewed the roadmap of the Impact Index, a national benchmarking tool designed to measure CSR, ESG, and sustainability performance in the private sector. It also facilitates data collection, in line with national and international frameworks, such as the SDGs, Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and MSCI. Currently, Majra is preparing the first report, set to be released in early 2026, in collaboration with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, as well as other international organisations. At the end of the meeting, committee members reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Majra's strategic vision by endorsing mechanisms that promote transparency, inclusivity, and long-term impact across all initiatives and programmes. Comments are closed.
Mid East Info
30-04-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Majra – National CSR Fund reviews key community initiatives and approves new frameworks to enhance corporate social responsibility in UAE
H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi: 'We seek to lay the groundwork for a more connected and impactful future through co-creation, verification, and recognition frameworks that align with national priorities and Sustainable Development Goals' Meeting emphasised private sector engagement and the launch of new evaluation tools, including the Impact Index. MAJRA – National CSR Fund held its second Policies and Strategies Committee meeting for 2025 to explore ways to advance the UAE's sustainable development goals through enhanced cross-sector collaboration and the rollout of new tools and frameworks to drive national impact. The meeting was Chaired by H.E Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, and Head of the Policies and Strategies Committee, and attended by H.E. Hanan Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, and the Deputy of the Policies and Strategies Committee; Bedour Saeed Al Raqbani, Board Member of American University of Sharjah; H.E. Abdulaziz Al Jaziri, Deputy CEO of Dubai Future Foundation and Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra – National CSR Fund. The meeting reviewed key ongoing initiatives and approved several tools designed to streamline sustainable project qualification and verification processes. It also placed a major emphasis on increasing private sector engagement in the fund's initiatives, validating project assessment mechanisms, and introducing new initiatives such as the Impact Index. It also addressed the 'Transformational Projects Framework', which is being developed by the Emirati committees for social responsibility and sustainability, chaired by the chambers of commerce and industry in each emirate. The strategy formulated as a part of the Impact Retreat held in November 2024 was also reviewed, and strategic initiatives aligning with the UAE's vision to enhance social sustainability, were launched. H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi said, 'Inspired by the insightful vision of the UAE's wise leadership and in accordance with their forward-looking directives, we are creating a roadmap to build a more sustainable and prosperous future by strengthening the private sector's corporate social responsibility framework. We also hope to enhance sustainable impact and expand the participation of private sector institutions in light of global changes and best international practices, further building upon the achievements of Majra's key initiatives like 'Impact Seal', 'MAJRA Council', and 'Impact Index'. Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra, said: 'Majra is responsible for providing the necessary frameworks and enablers to enhance the contribution of the private sector in shaping the UAE's sustainable future, while embedding social responsibility and sustainable impact as cornerstones of the institutional work system. Furthermore, we remain steadfast in our efforts to establish a robust foundation for collaborations, and sustainable impact, by supporting the approved projects and activating the reference frameworks specified under the impact index.' The committee further reviewed updates to the Sustainable Impact Challenge, including the integration of the Majra Entity Portal and the launch of new award categories within the challenge. These updates aim at expanding outreach and encouraging broader participation from businesses and organisations across the UAE in this challenge, which was launched during the fourth edition of Investopia 2025. The meeting also reviewed the roadmap of the Impact Index, a national benchmarking tool designed to measure CSR, ESG, and sustainability performance in the private sector. It also facilitates data collection, in line with national and international frameworks, such as the SDGs, Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and MSCI. Currently, Majra is preparing the first report, set to be released in early 2026, in collaboration with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, as well as other international organisations. At the end of the meeting, committee members reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Majra's strategic vision by endorsing mechanisms that promote transparency, inclusivity, and long-term impact across all initiatives and programmes.
Zawya
29-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Majra - National CSR Fund reviews key community initiatives and approves new frameworks to enhance corporate social responsibility in UAE
H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi: 'We seek to lay the groundwork for a more connected and impactful future through co-creation, verification, and recognition frameworks that align with national priorities and Sustainable Development Goals' Meeting emphasised private sector engagement and the launch of new evaluation tools, including the Impact Index. Dubai, MAJRA – National CSR Fund held its second Policies and Strategies Committee meeting for 2025 to explore ways to advance the UAE's sustainable development goals through enhanced cross-sector collaboration and the rollout of new tools and frameworks to drive national impact. The meeting was Chaired by H.E Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, and Head of the Policies and Strategies Committee, and attended by H.E. Hanan Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, and the Deputy of the Policies and Strategies Committee; Bedour Saeed Al Raqbani, Board Member of American University of Sharjah; H.E. Abdulaziz Al Jaziri, Deputy CEO of Dubai Future Foundation and Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra – National CSR Fund. The meeting reviewed key ongoing initiatives and approved several tools designed to streamline sustainable project qualification and verification processes. It also placed a major emphasis on increasing private sector engagement in the fund's initiatives, validating project assessment mechanisms, and introducing new initiatives such as the Impact Index. It also addressed the 'Transformational Projects Framework', which is being developed by the Emirati committees for social responsibility and sustainability, chaired by the chambers of commerce and industry in each emirate. The strategy formulated as a part of the Impact Retreat held in November 2024 was also reviewed, and strategic initiatives aligning with the UAE's vision to enhance social sustainability, were launched. H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi said, 'Inspired by the insightful vision of the UAE's wise leadership and in accordance with their forward-looking directives, we are creating a roadmap to build a more sustainable and prosperous future by strengthening the private sector's corporate social responsibility framework. We also hope to enhance sustainable impact and expand the participation of private sector institutions in light of global changes and best international practices, further building upon the achievements of Majra's key initiatives like 'Impact Seal', 'MAJRA Council', and 'Impact Index'. Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra, said: 'Majra is responsible for providing the necessary frameworks and enablers to enhance the contribution of the private sector in shaping the UAE's sustainable future, while embedding social responsibility and sustainable impact as cornerstones of the institutional work system. Furthermore, we remain steadfast in our efforts to establish a robust foundation for collaborations, and sustainable impact, by supporting the approved projects and activating the reference frameworks specified under the impact index.' The committee further reviewed updates to the Sustainable Impact Challenge, including the integration of the Majra Entity Portal and the launch of new award categories within the challenge. These updates aim at expanding outreach and encouraging broader participation from businesses and organisations across the UAE in this challenge, which was launched during the fourth edition of Investopia 2025. The meeting also reviewed the roadmap of the Impact Index, a national benchmarking tool designed to measure CSR, ESG, and sustainability performance in the private sector. It also facilitates data collection, in line with national and international frameworks, such as the SDGs, Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and MSCI. Currently, Majra is preparing the first report, set to be released in early 2026, in collaboration with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, as well as other international organisations. At the end of the meeting, committee members reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Majra's strategic vision by endorsing mechanisms that promote transparency, inclusivity, and long-term impact across all initiatives and programmes.
