Young philanthropists compete for financial backing from Abu Dhabi organisation

ABU DHABI // The next generation of entrepreneurs is getting a boost for their social enterprises after being selected to receive the Emirates Award for the Arabian Gulf Youth.

Fifteen “social ventures” created by Gulf Youth were chosen by the Emirates Foundation, an Abu Dhabi youth organisation, for mentorship and start-up funding. The shortlist includes projects on female empowerment, the environment, education, health and youth development. It was assembled from 200 submissions from across the GCC.

The award, under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Foreign Minister and chairman of the Emirates Foundation, aimed to encourage entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 35.

“The youth perspective on social issue and their insights into the problems has been outstanding,” said Maytha Al Habsi, chief programmes officer at the Emirates Foundation.

The 15 projects on the shortlist were selected by a panel of members from the public and private sector.

On November 17, that panel will select three to appear at the Emirates Award for the Arabian Gulf Youth Recognition event in Abu Dhabi the following day, where they will vie for the top prize, a Dh100,000 grant.

Second and third place winners will receive Dh70,000 and Dh50,000 respectively.

Of the 15 projects, four are led by or include UAE residents. They include Laila Al Shehhi, 33, who developed The Green Gold, a project that looks at alternatives to fossil fuels. Emiratis Roudha Al Awadhi, 26, along with Jordanians Ahmed Abu Farhah, 24, and Yasmin Abu Amear, 26, are behind a pure water extraction project.

Faisal Al Hammadi, 30, and Hamad Al Hammadi, 31, have a programme that partners with schools to promote healthier habits. And, Alia Galadari, 25, created the Shefaa Healthcare Network for patients and medical students.

Ms Al Habsi said: “GCC youth have shown they are innovative. But having an idea is only the start,” she said. “Crystallising that idea and making it feasible is where many budding entrepreneurs get stuck.”

esamoglou@thenational.ae