SBWC And AUS Collaborate To Enhance Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem In Sharjah

The Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC) and the American University of Sharjah (AUS) recently hosted their third roundtable, focusing on social entrepreneurship in Sharjah and the UAE. The event gathered policymakers, academics, and entrepreneurs to discuss challenges and opportunities for social enterprises. This initiative aims to empower female entrepreneurs by fostering a supportive ecosystem for social ventures.

Dr. Narjess Boubakri, Dean of the School of Business at AUS, highlighted the evolving nature of social entrepreneurship. She pointed out that while many social enterprises exist globally, the UAE has a chance to define its unique approach. "With the nation’s strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and impact, we are well-positioned to nurture a new generation of entrepreneurs who align business success with social value," she said.

Mariam Bin Al Shaikh from SBWC emphasised their role in bridging cultural and financial gaps. She stated, "Entrepreneurs must first invest in their vision to inspire others. Sharjah’s ecosystem offers mentorship, investor readiness programmes, and strategic partnerships to turn ideas into impact." Her comments reflect SBWC's mission to break down barriers through education and collaboration.

Sheikha Dr. Alia Al Qassimi advocated for integrating social entrepreneurship into education systems early on. She believes nurturing this mindset from high school can create pathways for young innovators. This aligns with global trends that equip educators and entrepreneurs with frameworks for impact-driven ventures.

Dr. Jamal Maalouf addressed misconceptions about social entrepreneurship, stating it is not charity but rather addresses market gaps with a triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit. She called for standardised KPIs to measure societal impact, resonating with discussions on certification frameworks that validate genuine social enterprises.

Alya Saif Al Shamsi from Sheraa noted that impact is integral to every startup they support. She described initiatives like the ‘Sharjah Access Challenge,’ which uses challenge statements to drive focused innovation and industry-specific solutions.

Collaborative Efforts and Future Directions

Mourad Ben Ayed revealed efforts to establish the UAE’s first social enterprise database as a step toward policy advocacy and visibility. Meanwhile, Sonali and Pulpit Chopra of ‘Happiness Redefined’ highlighted legal ambiguities affecting innovation due to licensing and banking barriers.

Gergana Abdulrahman shared her experience with systemic hurdles in funding for impactful projects. She stressed the need for accessible tools for smaller businesses to measure sustainability and articulate their value effectively.

The roundtable concluded with discussions on strategies to enhance the UAE's social entrepreneurship ecosystem. Key recommendations included creating a unified certification framework to distinguish genuine social enterprises from conventional businesses. This would address concerns around "social washing" while fostering credibility and investor trust.

Participants also emphasised integrating social entrepreneurship into national procurement processes. This would allow these ventures to scale through government and corporate contracts, aligning with UAE Vision 2031 and global SDG commitments.

With inputs from WAM