Collaborative efforts steered towards enhancing the role and impact of the civil society sector in Kuwait

Kuwait – 20 December 2018:   Burgan Bank recently participated in a high-impact workshop named 'Planning for Impact - Frameworks for CSR Initiatives”. Dedicated to fostering social development and civic engagement in the Middle East, the event brought together regional and international CSR experts who shared innovative CSR strategies to create positive multidimensional impact. The workshop was delivered by En.v and Pearl Initiative, a non-profit organization focused on enhancing corporate governance, accountability and transparency in the private sector. 

The 2-day workshop aimed to upgrade the capabilities of CSR managers across Kuwait. Drawing particular attention to impact measurement, experts emphasized the importance of designing a results-based program that frequently monitors and evaluates success. 

The workshop provided unique insights by utilizing a large set of data on governance practices in the philanthropic and CSR sector from leading organizations in the GCC. Collected through a series of interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys by Pearl initiative, the data revealed the need for every organization to be results-driven and introduce defined systems or standards to better monitor the outcomes of their initiatives and measure their impact.

The workshop was led by Lisa Philp, Senior Advisor at the Foundation Center and Siham Nuseibeh, External Relations Office at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The Foundation Center is the leading source of information about philanthropy worldwide that connects donors with data, research, and technology to encourage more strategic and collaborative giving. UNFPA’s work focuses on issues pertaining to human rights, sexual reproductive health and rights, gender-based violence and harmful practices. 

This event builds on the three-day festival titled ‘AWAKEN’, held recently to bolster civil society organizations as catalysts for societal progress. These initiatives are part of Burgan Bank’s strategic long–term partnership with En.v, which will run till March 2020 as part of its commitment to strengthen social networks and raise the standards of social responsibility in Kuwait.

Falling in line with its community program, ‘ENGAGE’ – Together to be the change, Burgan Bank sheds light on important aspects affecting every segment of the society by promoting social welfare through educational, cultural, social and health initiatives.  Burgan Bank’s approach to 'ENGAGE' begins with a vital principle that as a Kuwaiti financial institution, its conduct and policies should be aligned with the needs and interests of the Kuwaiti society.