MAJRA – National CSR Fund reviews most prominent achievements and results in Q1 of 2025
These discussions took place during the second Board of Trustees meeting in 2025 chaired by H.E. Abdulla bin Touq
>> H.E. Bin Touq: 'The UAE has adopted national visions and initiatives to promote social responsibility and embed its principles. We are committed to continuing advancing our efforts to achieve sustainable impact in the country.'
The Fund's achievements included launching the 'Sustainable Impact Challenge' and the 'Community Impact Medal' and establishing six national priority projects in collaboration with relevant ministries.
UAE, May, 2025: The Board of Trustees of MAJRA – The National CSR Fund conducted its second meeting of 2025, chaired by His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. The meeting reviewed recent progress across the Fund's projects and initiatives, assessed key performance indicators, and discussed future strategies aimed at strengthening corporate social responsibility within the private sector to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The meeting also reviewed the Fund's key achievements and outcomes during the first quarter of 2025. This includes the launch of the Sustainable Impact Challenge (SIC), and the 'Community Impact Medal' for SMEs, and initiation of six national priority projects in collaboration with relevant ministries. MAJRA also organised a Vision and Mission workshop with over 50 participants from public and private sectors and confirmed eight 'Year of Community' initiatives, including SIC and Ramadan Souq in UAQ. Several transformational projects were also rolled out across emirates, notably the expansion of the Dubai Can Initiative in Dubai, the launch of a Youth Entrepreneurship Funding Program in collaboration with the Saud bin Saqr Foundation in RAK, and the implementation of the Green Residential Parks Initiative in UAQ.
His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said, 'Under the guidance of our wise leadership, the UAE has launched national strategies and initiatives to strengthen social responsibility and support private sector engagement in projects that embed its core principles. At Majra, we are committed to continuing our national efforts to instil these values and promote sustainable impact in the UAE. Our goal is to support the UAE's ambition of becoming one of the world's most prosperous societies within the next decade, in alignment with the pillars of the 'We the UAE 2031' vision.'
H.E. added, 'This meeting represents a significant milestone in reviewing the progress and achievements of the Fund during the previous phase and strengthening national collaboration to launch more initiatives and projects that will contribute to advancing the UAE's economic and social development.' H.E. reaffirmed Majra's commitment to supporting and empowering national professionals and directing social investments towards projects that achieve tangible and sustainable developmental impact.
The meeting highlighted all initiatives and decisions associated with Majra's key projects, including the Sustainable Impact Challenge, efforts aligned with the 'Year of Community', and the Impact Index. During the meeting, participants reviewed recommendations, highlighted achievements and explored mechanisms to further stimulate social responsibility practices and improve societal impact among UAE-based companies, relying on a unified benchmark for evaluating quality and progress.
Furthermore, they explored Fund projects linked to the fields of arts, culture, heritage, education, environment, health, and technology and their progress, with a key focus on the MAJRA Project Accelerator for Impact Economy, which will improve the capacity and financial support to launch such innovative programmes. MAJRA Project Accelerator for Impact Economy prioritises private sector engagement, encouraging collaboration with third sector institutions to develop and implement sustainable solutions in priority areas identified by federal agencies, such as education, health, environment, technology, art, culture, and heritage. This aligns with MAJRA's efforts to contribute to the development of a sustainable impact economic system by unifying the efforts of all parties concerned with aspects of social responsibility and sustainability in the country.
Attendees further discussed mechanisms for establishing partnerships with relevant entities and fostering collaboration between sustainability leaders from various sectors to facilitate the exchange of ideas and expertise and drive the impact economy. Furthermore, the meeting explored strategies implemented and proposed to reinforce the role of MAJRA as a federal platform for boosting and directing private sector contributions in the field of social responsibility. This can be attained through initiatives for enhancing sustainable impact, nurturing a generation equipped with future skills and encouraging community engagement among youth and all segments of society. During the meeting, participants also evaluated the developments in the Impact Index, its key objectives and scope of work and the outcomes of the Impact Lab and strategic performance indicators for the first quarter of 2025. They further explored ways to develop and promote the Social Impact Seal among targeted companies and SMEs.
Sarah Shaw, CEO of MAJRA, said: 'This meeting marks a vital opportunity for us to review the achievements and progress made by the Fund since the beginning of 2025 and take necessary measures to improve performance and ensure that these initiatives align with the country's directions. At MAJRA, we are dedicated to developing integrated societal and national priority programs that represent the country's vision to create a sustainable economy, and a society based on cooperation, innovation and technology. This commitment comes in line with the framework of our tireless efforts to improve private sector participation and offer a stimulating environment for socially impactful projects. We look forward to continuing our support for the Board of Trustees and strengthening the private sector's role as a strategic partner in attaining the vision and goals of MAJRA.'
During the meeting's conclusion, the Board of Trustees reaffirmed their commitment to MAJRA's vision, mission and strategic objectives. They further highlighted the significance of boosting the private sector's societal role and guiding its contributions toward projects that align with the aspirations of the wise leadership and contribute to supporting the nation's comprehensive development process.
The meeting was attended by members of the Board of Trustees of Majra – The National CSR Fund, including H.E. Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority H.E. Abdulla Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees; H.E. Aisha Ahmed Yousuf, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Community Development; H.E. Hanan Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre; H.E. Abdulaziz Khalid Al Jaziri, Deputy CEO of Dubai Future Foundation; Maryam Al Qassab, Manager of the Chairman Office at Sharjah Book Authority; Ms. Bedour Al Raqbani, Board Member of the American University of Sharjah; Dr. Mariam Al Suwaidi; and Sarah Shaw, CEO of the National CSR Fund 'Majra'.
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