Latest news with #socialgood
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Free office space, workshops in Abu Dhabi for startups
Abu Dhabi is now home to a year-round hub for startups and organisations delivering social good, following the launch of Athar+, a permanent platform by the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an. Unveiled at M39 this week, a vibrant co-working space in the capital, Athar+ represents a major expansion of Ma'an's earlier social incubator model, which was limited to just two cohorts annually. This new initiative is designed to be more inclusive and continuous, offering free office space, access to workshops, networking opportunities, and both financial and logistical support to startups, NGOs, and social enterprises making an impact in the emirate. 'Today, we are no longer only covering the traditional model of business incubation,' said Salem Al Shamsi, Executive Director of Social Incubation and Contracting at Ma'an. 'We're covering ideation, social venture acceleration, and providing a social incubator that runs permanently throughout the year. Not every enterprise is at the same level of growth, Athar+ is designed to meet these different stages with tailored support.' Al Shamsi added that what makes Athar+ unique is its focus on outcomes: 'We always start with impact. Since launching Ma'an in 2019, we've built everything with that word in mind. Athar+ is the next step — the 'plus' is the continuous improvement and future focus.' The platform now accepts applications on a rolling basis, without limiting participation to a specific number or sector. 'Any enterprise addressing Abu Dhabi's social priorities and offering measurable social value can apply,' he said. New chapter for MS Group For Ahmad Al Shawa, General Coordinator of MS Group in Al Ain, the launch of Athar+ marks a much needed turning point. His organisation, which raises awareness and provides support to people with Multiple Sclerosis, was selected after a series of interviews with Ma'an. 'Just by being here, it's already an opportunity,' said Al Shawa at the launch. 'This is more than just office space. You're surrounded by incubators, startups, NGOs, and investors — it's a platform that brings the whole third sector together.' MS Group, which was first launched in 2009, has faced ups and downs over the years. With Athar+, Al Shawa hopes to rebuild the organisation's legacy and expand its reach through new partnerships and exposure. 'It fills a lot of gaps — especially in making connections, sharing experiences, and possibly finding sponsors or investors.' The group's recent inclusion in the Arab Union for MS was a key milestone. 'That partnership has helped us exchange experiences with MS groups across the Arab world,' he explained. 'Personally, as someone living with MS, I see the differences in treatment, awareness, and systems across countries. Learning from others makes a big difference.' AI to detect speech delay Hamdan Al Ali, a PhD student in natural language processing at MBZUAI, is another entrepreneur set to benefit from Athar+. His startup, Chatty Check, is an AI-powered game that helps diagnose speech delay in children — a condition affecting an estimated 14% of children worldwide. 'Instead of having a therapist sit with a child for 60 minutes, the child plays a game that incorporates the same diagnostic methods — like reading a story or talking, while the AI analyses the interaction,' said Al Ali. The tool is still in its pilot phase, currently being tested in nurseries in the UAE and Portugal, in both English and Emirati Arabic versions. Al Ali first joined Ma'an's original incubator, where he received guidance on scaling his idea. Now, with Athar+, he has access to the tools he needs to grow. 'I can pitch to investors, use the facilities, host presentations, and work out of a professional space — all of which are essential to taking the product to the next level.'
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Social Entrepreneurship Ideas to Fuel Your Civic Passion
Young colleagues in greenhouse with solar panel. getty The term 'social entrepreneurship' has grown in popularity recently, but what exactly does it mean? What are the key values of social entrepreneurship? And how can you turn your civic passion into a social entrepreneurship career? Let's break it down. Social entrepreneurship occurs when a person (or 'social entrepreneur') uses entrepreneurial principles to create a business that impacts a key societal or environmental challenge. These people are driven by a passion to do social good and make a difference in their community. Social entrepreneurship isn't limited to charities and not-for-profits, though. These organizations typically exist to make a profit and positively impact their chosen issue simultaneously. For example, the issue could relate to climate change, pollution, human rights, education, activism, accessibility for marginalized groups, physical or mental health, citizenship, or governance. Whatever the mission, social entrepreneurs have a dual purpose: to create a viable business and reinvest profits back into the business while influencing social change. If you're exploring the idea of a social entrepreneurship career, it's essential to understand some core values you'd need to adhere to. See if they line up with your own values. Out-of-the-box, creative thinking is essential to running a successful social entrepreneurship business. You have to find unique and different ways of solving problems that traditional companies have been unable to solve. Where others have failed, you innovate and progress boldly. A few risks are involved in becoming a social entrepreneur; you must accept them and become resilient if they arise. Risks may be financial, with the potential to lose your initial investment and your business not becoming financially viable. Risks may be economic - how susceptible is your business to economic fluctuations in your chosen market? Risks may be reputational - social entrepreneurs are held to a higher standard than traditional entrepreneurs. At the heart of every social entrepreneur is a driving purpose and passion for their chosen cause. If you have a strong passion and desire to improve the lives of others, you're well on your way to becoming a successful social entrepreneur. founded by Ned Tozun, provides affordable and accessible solar-powered lighting products to low-income and/or off-grid people all around the world, with a goal to transform 1 billion lives. By focusing on improving people's lives and utilizing clean energy, they're a great example of people, planet, and profit. While Lush is a for-profit global beauty retailer, it's focused on the ethical and Fair Trade sourcing of ingredients, sustainable packaging, zero-waste initiatives, and cruelty-free practices with no animal testing at any point of the production line. Lush shows that you can create a profitable social entrepreneurship business without compromising on product quality, leaving the world 'lusher than we found it'. While there are certainly challenges to starting and running a profitable social entrepreneurship business, there are many successful ones all around the world. In fact, research found that there are around 10 million social enterprises globally, generating $2 trillion in annual revenue and creating 200 million jobs. Here's what you need to start a career in this field: If you're an aspiring social entrepreneur, here are a few ideas to get you thinking: While there are many factors to consider before starting a social entrepreneurship career, making a difference in a community can be highly fulfilling and rewarding. If you have a civic passion that you can't stop thinking about, why not explore the possibility of creating a business? Surround yourself with doers, changemakers, and those with entrepreneurial mindsets, and you, too, can turn your passion into a successful and profitable social enterprise.
CTV News
22-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
One-third of Canadian non-profit employees are burned out, food insecure: study
New data shows one-third of non-profit sector employees are burned out and food insecure, a higher proportion than the general workforce. The inaugural Changemaker Wellbeing Index, released by Future of Good, highlights pressures impacting non-profit workers. The index is the first to highlight wellness in Canada's non-profit sector, said a news release. It offers insights for employers to help their teams while turnover continues to be a challenge for non-profits. 'The numbers are concerning, and by tracking them, we can amplify solutions and find new strategies so non-profits can focus their efforts on social good,' said Anouk Bertner, executive director of Future of Good. Environics Research collaborated with GreenShield, ATB Financial, Ontario Trillium Foundation, WES Mariam Assefa Fund, Definity Insurance Foundation and United Way Centraide Canada to survey 1,100 Canadian non-profit workers. Their survey found: 36 per cent of non-profit workers say they 'often or always' feel burned out or exhausted. 31 per cent of non-profit workers report experiencing food insecurity; for frontline staff, that rises to 48 per cent. one-in-three non-profit workers are ready to quit community non-profits report lower overall wellbeing (39 per cent) compared to government non-profits (32 per cent). It's worse in arts and cultural groups. low wages, worker ages are driving factors. (Half of entry-level workers say they're struggling.) Bertner said the index draws overdue attention to the health and wellbeing of those working the sector, especially those on the front lines. Future of Good is a media, learning and research organization. More to come…
Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Finance is becoming a battleground in geopolitics
It is supposed to be a conference dedicated to deploying finance for social good, traditionally centring on the environment or the global redistribution of wealth. But this year, the Impact2 conference in Paris, where I delivered the keynote speech, had politics and finance centre stage. And it's no surprise. Much ink has been spilt about Trump's tariffs, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and global financial market turmoil of late. Finance has long since been a silent driver of geopolitical change. But never before has the interplay between the two been so deafening. As the Kremlin continues to grapple with the crippling consequences of financial isolation, one thing is clear: from Rue de Rivoli to Red Square, finance is no longer just an engine of economic growth. It is a vital tool of statecraft. Much of the focus in the Russia-Ukraine war has been on the Russian sanctions. The promise of releasing $300 billion of their frozen assets would be much-needed relief to Putin's wartime economy – a strong incentive for peace. Ukraine's reconstruction, too, will be in large part politics driven by finance. For example, the minerals deal agreed between the US and Ukraine is an investment fund. And much aid that has been donated has been in the form of complex loan structures. But the financial shifting of political tectonic plates doesn't stop there. For example, the potential thawing of a tariff war between China and America, or threats of potential sanctions on the Iranian regime. In a world where direct military confrontation between great powers carries immense risk, capital markets are becoming a flash point. Finance is the new battleground in the global tussle for power and influence. Historically, Britain has been able to punch above its weight because of our world-beating financial institutions. From Lloyd's of London to the City to Canary Wharf, we are a proud nation fuelled by finance. But we no longer have a monopoly. National power is now, more than ever, intertwined with access to and control over these financial systems. Tanks and aircraft no longer tell the full story Direct military confrontation is no longer the only option to deter and disrupt malign behaviour. Targeted financial sanctions or restrictions on private lending and investment can serve as an equally strong disincentive. Material capabilities, which include the number of tanks or aircraft a country commands, no longer tell the full story of global dominance. Finance has become a critical lever of influence, capable of explaining – and even dictating – the shifting balance of power among nations. Britain and its allies cannot rest on our laurels as others seek to unravel the Western-led financial order on which global prosperity relies. We need to think more thoughtfully, consciously, and strategically about the use of finance, and how we can best use it to confront this century's greatest challenges. Our country has immensely strong financial credentials, and so we are uniquely well-positioned to make more of finance as a tool of statecraft. More dollars are traded in London than they are in the United States. The City of London's GDP is £110 billion – more than Morocco. And London's insurance market is the largest of its kind in the world. These endowments and many others, carefully cultivated over centuries of financial prudence, legal certainty and regulatory innovation, are among our nation's greatest strategic assets. They are Britain's unsung heroes and have positioned our tiny island at the heart of decision-making in world politics. London must continue to be a world-class global financial centre, so we need a global financial strategy that is measured and thoughtful – something that is so far lacking from our current Government. They must beware – these powerful tools may only be effective so long as they are used sparingly. Free markets, enterprise and innovation are drivers of global wealth. Labour must look past Britain's borders when taxing and regulating our world-beating financial services. So, as much as Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, may wish to command investment with her pension fund decrees or hike capital gains tax, she should be mindful of the international importance of this sector. There is far more at stake than meeting new fiscal rules. There are difficult balances to be struck in these times, but they must be struck nonetheless. As Britain confronts global challenges head-on, finance must be seen more as the effective tool in driving geopolitics we can all see that it is. In an era of seismic global change, this is more important than ever.
New York Times
17-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Rutger Bregman Wants to Save Elites From Their Wasted Lives
The world is full of highly intelligent, impressively accomplished and status-aware people whose greatest ambitions seem to start and stop with themselves. For Rutger Bregman, those people represent an irresistible opportunity. Bregman, 37, is a Dutch historian who has written best-selling books arguing that the world is better (mostly meaning wealthier, healthier and more humane) than we're typically led to believe, and also that further improving it is easily within our reach. Sounds a little off in these days of global strife and domineering plutocracy, doesn't it? Even Bregman, who is something of a professional optimist, is willing to admit that the arguments in his first two books — 'Utopia for Realists: How We Can Build the Ideal World' (2017) and 'Humankind: A Hopeful History' (2020) — land less persuasively now than when they were published. But his new book, 'Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference,' is his attempt to meet the current moment by redirecting self-interest into social good. He is trying to entice the people I mentioned earlier — society's brightest and most privileged — to turn away from what he sees as meaningless and hollow (albeit lucrative) white-collar jobs in favor of far more exciting and even self-aggrandizing work that aims to solve society's toughest problems. That's also the driving idea behind a nonprofit of which he is a founder, the School for Moral Ambition — a kind of incubator for positive social impact. A key question, though, is how exactly he plans on persuading people to rethink their own goals and values — which is to say, their own lives. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | iHeart | NYT Audio App Your new book is an argument for why talented, high-achieving people should direct their energies toward more morally ambitious behavior. Do you see your writing as morally ambitious? Well, look, the reason I wrote this book was that I became frustrated with myself. I had a bit of an early midlife crisis. I was mainly spending time in this quote-unquote awareness business: You write books to convince people of certain opinions and then you hope that some other people do the actual work of making the world better. And I was working on a new book about the great moral pioneers of the past — the abolitionists, the suffragettes — but as I was studying their biographies, I experienced this emotion that I describe as moral envy: You're standing on the sidelines and wishing, gosh, wouldn't it be awesome to be in the arena? To actually have skin in the game? Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
