Environment

Under the patronage and in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of Majra’s Board of Trustees, and H.E. Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority, Majra – the National CSR Fund celebrated the winners of the inaugural Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025 during a high-profile awards ceremony held at the SEE Institute in The Sustainable City, Dubai.

The event recognised the top three winning CSR projects and honoured 17 additional shortlisted initiatives that demonstrated innovation, sustainability, and tangible social impact.

A Platform for Responsible Innovation

The Sustainable Impact Challenge is a first-of-its-kind national platform established by Majra to spotlight transformative CSR initiatives led by private companies, non-profits, academic institutions, and other contributors. The initiative aligns with the UAE’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its broader ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision for a sustainable and inclusive future.

In his keynote address, H.E. Bin Touq stated:

“The UAE is deeply committed to fostering national initiatives that promote social responsibility and sustainable business practices. The launch of the Sustainable Impact Challenge embodies our mission to instil CSR values across the private sector while supporting impactful projects aligned with the national agenda. This initiative is not just a competition—it is a movement towards shaping a resilient and sustainable economy.”

Award-Winning Projects

The top three winners received a collective prize of AED 600,000 in recognition of their contributions to sustainable development:

• HeroGo – Empowering the GCC to access better-quality and more affordable groceries while eliminating food waste

• Thiqa Education – 1 Dirham Makes an Impact initiative

• Distant Imagery Solutions – Rooted in Innovation: UAE Engineered Drones Transform Mangrove Restoration

The remaining shortlisted initiatives were also acknowledged for their exemplary efforts and given a platform to present their outcomes.

Key Discussions and Thought Leadership

The event featured several sessions aimed at addressing challenges and opportunities in the UAE’s CSR and sustainability landscape:

• Barriers to CSR Adoption – Led by H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Vice Chairman of Majra, the session brought together undersecretaries from five ministries to explore regulatory gaps, environmental constraints, and the need to incentivize private sector engagement.

• The Role of Public, Private and Third Sector in Developing an Impact Economy – A panel discussion featuring:

  • Dr. Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson, Emirates Environmental Group

  • Chandran Nair, Founder & CEO, Global Institute for Tomorrow (GIFT)

  • H.E. Maysa Al Nowais, Executive Director, Social Contributions Authority – Ma’an

  • Moderated by Mohammed Hanif Al Qassim

The discussions emphasised the importance of cross-sector collaboration in fostering a sustainable impact economy.

Fashion Sustainability Taskforce

In a significant development, the event also hosted the first meeting of the Fashion Sustainability Taskforce, held in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq. The session laid the foundation for a collaborative roadmap to promote sustainability in the fashion industry, a key focus area under the UAE’s sustainable development agenda.

Statements from Leadership

H.E. Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid lauded Majra’s role in identifying and scaling impactful CSR efforts:

“This Challenge showcases pioneering initiatives that have made a real difference across environmental, economic, and social dimensions. It also highlights the third sector’s vital role in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable society.”

Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra, emphasized the platform’s future vision:

“We are proud to honour projects that reflect the power of the private sector in driving lasting change. The Sustainable Impact Challenge is more than an award—it's a commitment to enabling transformation that resonates with the UAE’s long-term goals.”

• Tags
• #Business
• #Magazine
• #Lifestyle