Stakeholder Engagement
Social Investing Program
The aim of this program is to invest time and capital into unleashing the vast potential of the region by creating and supporting entrepreneurship and sustainable projects that can change the social and economic landscape. This is what Abraaj calls Social Investing. The program finds its resources within the 5+5+5 model, where Abraaj contributes 5% of its top-line fee income revenue to the program and employees are encouraged to donate 5% of their annual bonuses and a minumum of 5 days of their time each year.
We execute our approach to Social Investing through two distinct channels: externally, by partnering with and developing the Abraaj Community Partner Organizations (ACPO) network and internally, through our Community Impact Program (CIP).
Abraaj Community Partner Organizations (ACPO)
The Abraaj Community Partner Organizations (ACPO) are trusted organizations with a proven track record for efficient engagement and high levels of accountability. We have evaluated countless regional and global organizations and chosen to award the “ACPO” title to five organizations at this stage, with more to follow in the years to come. These organizations best epitomize our value system and are in our opinion, the best structured NGOs to assist and amplify our efforts.
Our ACPO structure currently includes Dubai Cares, Endeavor, Injaz al-Arab, Ruwwad and the Welfare Association, organizations selected for their level of transformative impact across the region, their high standards and transparency of operations.
Abraaj Capital Mustaqbali Foundation in association with the Welfare Association
One of our biggest initiatives to date has been the decision to create a new Charitable Foundation dedicated to the needs of 1,804 Palestinian children who were orphaned or lost their primary income-earning parent during the Gaza conflict with Israel in December 2008 and January 2009. The initiative was announced at the Middle East Economic Summit of the WEF in the presence of His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, Her Majesty Queen Rania, Secretary General of the Arab League Amre Moussa and Klaus Schwab, WEF Founder and President.
Injaz Al-Arab
Injaz is an organization that engages with corporate volunteers and Ministries of Education to provide experiential education and training to high school children in public schools of our region. Injaz supports school curricula by encouraging young people to become entrepreneurs of the future - using business and principles of economics to improve their quality of life.
Abraaj has been working closely with Injaz Al-Arab and serves on its Board. This partnership has offered Abraaj employees extraordinary experiences in local classrooms since 2008 and shown first-hand how the firm can spark entrepreneurship in our communities and share our passion for building successful businesses. Abraaj continues to provide corporate volunteers to Injaz in the UAE and other countries in the region in addition to the financial contribution which allows schools across the region to benefit from volunteer programs. More than 5,300 students have been touched in this way by Abraaj’s corporate support.
Abraaj has been working closely with Injaz Al-Arab and serves on its Board. This partnership has offered Abraaj employees extraordinary experiences in local classrooms since 2008 and shown first-hand how the firm can spark entrepreneurship in our communities and share our passion for building successful businesses. Abraaj continues to provide corporate volunteers to Injaz in the UAE and other countries in the region in addition to the financial contribution which allows schools across the region to benefit from volunteer programs. More than 5,300 students have been touched in this way by Abraaj’s corporate support.
Ruwwad
Started in 2006 by Abraaj Board member Fadi Ghandour, Ruwwad aims to provide community members in marginalized communities with the guidance and means to define and implement projects that can change neighborhoods over a short period of time. Ruwwad's mission is to create a movement of activism amongst the private sector to take responsibility on the ground by empowering communities. Ruwwad focuses on education, child development, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and infrastructure enhancement.
Our strategy has been to support Ruwwad with funds and the time and skills of our team members. Abraaj has launched several programs and workshops aimed at helping young graduates enter the job market by providing them with skills and expertise. Abraaj is also working very closely with Ruwwad to rollout their model in Egypt.
Our strategy has been to support Ruwwad with funds and the time and skills of our team members. Abraaj has launched several programs and workshops aimed at helping young graduates enter the job market by providing them with skills and expertise. Abraaj is also working very closely with Ruwwad to rollout their model in Egypt.
Endeavor
Endeavor is our most recent partnership aimed at identifying and supporting High Impact Entrepreneurs. Established in 1997, Endeavor is the global non-profit that pioneered the concept of High Impact Entrepreneurship in emerging markets. Guided by Endeavor, entrepreneurs can generate sustainable economic growth and jobs, become self-made role models, and help nurture a culture of entrepreneurship.
Our strategic alliance with Endeavor will see this NGO start operations in the GCC and North Africa as well as serve to strengthen and consolidate its existing operations in Jordan, Egypt and Turkey.
Our strategic alliance with Endeavor will see this NGO start operations in the GCC and North Africa as well as serve to strengthen and consolidate its existing operations in Jordan, Egypt and Turkey.
Community Impact Program (CIP)
The Community Impact Program (CIP) is designed to increase the impact of our philanthropic engagements. The CIP focuses our contributions towards those initiatives that remain most focused on the core sectors of our philanthropic interests. By concentrating resources and talent on key initiatives through the CIP, Abraaj is aiming to develop, adjust and refine a model of philanthropy, hoping to export it to Partner Companies in the future.
The primary goal of the CIP is to support the educational, medical and social needs of children in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Turkey and potentially in the future regions where Abraaj expands its operations. CIP provides institutional grants under this program and refrains from sponsorships and provision of support to individual causes. Additionally, CIP is keen to identify opportunities whereby the employees of Abraaj can contribute their time, skills and expertise to help community organizations achieve their goals.
The CIP has supported more than 60 organizations since 2005. Each of these engagements created an impact, changing the lives of individuals and communities, but also defined the very culture of our company and the values through which it operates.
Click here to download Abraaj Capital's Social Investing Program document
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