Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, ADFD, today formalised a financial endowment to Emirates Foundation, an independent philanthropic organisation established by the Government of Abu Dhabi, to facilitate public-private funded initiatives to further drive youth welfare efforts across the UAE.

Within the framework of the fund’s 2017 corporate social responsibility, CSR, agenda, the monetary contribution has been allocated to two Emirates Foundation programmes: Kafa’at and Think Science.

Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director-General of ADFD, and Maitha Al Habsi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Foundation, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, outlining the terms of the collaboration between both parties. Khalifa Al Qubaisi, Deputy Director-General of ADFD, and senior management from both entities attended the ceremony at the ADFD headquarters.

Within the Kafa’at programme, the endowment will support young Emirati nationals in honing their skills and talent towards shaping their careers in the public and private sectors. Leveraging ADFD’s financial contribution, the Think Science programme will encourage and inspire Emirati youth between the ages of 15 and 24 to pursue science as their area of expertise academically with a view to taking up scientific careers.

Al Suwaidi said, "Our wise leadership has stressed the significance of youth empowerment in achieving the long-term strategic vision of the UAE. ADFD is proud to support the translation of the UAE’s national goals into reality.

"Today, we are happy to extend this contribution to Emirates Foundation, well realising the lasting positive effects it will have on generations to come. At ADFD, we firmly believe in the noble mission of the UAE leadership to empower the country’s young people with the skills needed to shape a better tomorrow. As part of this priority, a large percentage of our extensive portfolio is aimed at youth empowerment, career, education, and capacity-building initiatives and programmes."

Al Qubaisi, said, "The fund’s 2017 CSR agenda fosters a multidimensional strategy that focuses on partnerships with the public sectors in order to boost community development efforts. The agenda has identified youth empowerment and development as the cornerstone for sustainable and socio-economic growth. Today’s collaboration with Emirates Foundation is reflective of this important vision."

Maitha Al Habsi commended the financial support from ADFD and the lasting benefits the gesture will have on the UAE’s youth.