Sharjah: Purpose-driven investment and education-led philanthropy will define the next phase of sustainable growth across the region, said Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, during a talk titled 'Philanthropy and Impact Investing as the New Model for Sustainable Growth in the Region,' at the 9th Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF 2026). Speaking at the session, Sheikha Lubna noted that charitable engagement in the UAE has evolved from traditional short-term charity into a comprehensive societal effort supported by government, corporates, families, and communities.
According to Emirates News Agency, Sheikha Lubna emphasised the important role played by government-led initiatives in sustaining charitable work, highlighting programmes such as the Zayed Sustainability Prize, which supports young innovators and entrepreneurs developing solutions in energy, health, food, and sustainability to serve underserved communities worldwide. She commended the efforts under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of Sharjah Family and Community Council, particularly initiatives such as the Pink Caravan campaign for early breast cancer detection, which deploys mobile screening clinics across the UAE.
Addressing entrepreneurs attending the festival, Sheikha Lubna urged founders to integrate social responsibility into their ventures from inception rather than viewing philanthropy as something to pursue only after achieving financial success. She stressed that social impact should be built into a business from day one, because companies succeed when communities thrive alongside them. Education, she added, remains one of the most sustainable forms of philanthropy, highlighting how universities across the UAE are increasingly supported by corporate partners and alumni contributions that fund scholarships and research opportunities for talented students lacking financial resources.
Complementing the discussion, H.H. Sayyida Dr. Basma Al Said, Omani mental health expert and founder of Whispers of Serenity Clinic, led a session titled 'Designing a World that Works for Everyone'. She emphasised that founders often design products and services around an imagined 'average user,' overlooking the diversity of cultures, needs, and lived experiences within real communities. Dr. Basma explained that inclusive thinking must function as a mindset rather than a checklist, encouraging entrepreneurs to rely on diverse teams, research, and feedback to create solutions that serve broader communities fairly and effectively.
Dr. Basma also highlighted the importance of separating charitable outreach from commercial sustainability, sharing lessons from building her clinic and later launching community mental health awareness campaigns that allowed both initiatives to grow sustainably while expanding access to care. She reminded entrepreneurs that success should not come at the expense of mental health, advocating for seeking support and listening to feedback as signs of strength.
Under the theme, 'Where We Belong,' SEF 2026 continues through February 1 at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK), hosting more than 250 sessions and activations across 10 curated zones designed for founders, investors, and innovators shaping the region's entrepreneurial landscape.