Cairo - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF), convened partners in Cairo as part of the regional Thought Leadership Series for Arab States. The workshop titled “Unlocking Innovative Financing for Resilience: Youth, Skills, and Inclusion”, explored how innovative financing and impact investing can expand access to jobs, strengthen skills development, and support more inclusive economic participation across the region, particularly for youth and vulnerable groups. 

The workshop brought together representatives from philanthropic organizations, development institutions, the private sector, and investment actors to examine how blended finance and catalytic funding models can help address widening development financing gaps and unlock more sustainable, long-term impact. 

The Cairo convening builds on previous iterations hosted in Jordan and reflects growing momentum across the region to reposition strategic philanthropic as a catalyst for resilience, economic inclusion, and scalable development solutions. Through the Thought Leadership Series, UNDP and AGF are creating a regional platform for philanthropy, development, and financial actors to explore how capital can be better aligned with regional priorities, including skills development, inclusive economic growth, and resilience. 

Discussions reflected the broader development context in Egypt, including an estimated SDG financing gap approaching 70 percent of GDP by 2030, alongside ongoing challenges related to youth employment, low women labor force participation, and the pressures associated with hosting large numbers of refugees and asylum seekers. 

“As development financing gaps widen, we must rethink how we mobilize and deploy capital.” said the UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States (RBAS) Hub Manager a.i., Susanne Dam-Hansen , “Through this regional partnership with the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, and building on the discussions in Cairo, we are already seeing promising examples of how strategic philanthropy and innovative financing can deliver tangible impact on the ground, with great potential and need for scale. UNDP values our partnership with AGF, which addresses a critical gap by bringing strategic philanthropy, public and private actors together to unlock capital and advance more resilient and inclusive development across the region.”  

“We need stronger partnerships and more innovative ways to mobilize capital for resilience and inclusion,” said Ghimar Deeb, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Egypt. “There is strong potential to scale innovative finance solutions that support youth, skills development, and inclusive growth in Egypt. Through this convening with the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, we are bringing together philanthropy, development partners, and the private sector to help unlock that potential and drive long-term impact.”

Sessions focused on the shift beyond traditional grant-based models towards more sustainable financing approaches. These included impact investing, risk sharing mechanisms, and results-based financing, all of which can help mobilize private capital and direct it towards development priorities with long term social and economic impact. 

“Across the Arab region, millions of young people are entering adulthood at a time of deep economic pressure, displacement, and uncertainty,” said Danah Dajani, Senior Vice President of External and Institutional Engagement. “If the region is serious about resilience and long-term stability, investment in youth cannot remain fragmented or short term. This partnership with UNDP is helping bring philanthropy, finance, and development actors into the same conversation to rethink how opportunity is funded, scaled, and sustained across the Arab States.” 

The workshop tackled the evolving impact investing landscape in the Arab States region, highlighting the role of philanthropy in supporting blended finance structures. It concluded with an interactive segment focused on knowledge exchange and identifying opportunities for future collaboration. 

As part of the UNDP–Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation Thought Leadership Series, the Cairo convening contributes to ongoing regional efforts to reposition philanthropy as a strategic partner within broader development finance ecosystems in support of resilience outcomes. Through knowledge exchange and partnership, the Series aims to better align financing flows with national priorities, including support for the implementation of Egypt Vision 2030. 

----- 

Media Contacts: 

UNDP | Ahmed Bazzoum | Communications Analyst | ahmed.bazzoum@undp.org  

UNDP Egypt | Fatma Yassin | Communications Lead | fatma.yassin@undp.org

AGF | Public Relations Team Contact  | pr@alghurairfoundation.org  

About AGF 

Established in 2015, the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF) has redefined education philanthropy in the Arab region, empowering Emirati and Arab youth to access quality learning, meaningful employment, and opportunities for leadership. Together with the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund, AGF has reached more than 433,000 youth, building pathways that turn learning into opportunity and opportunity into lasting impact. 

About UNDP  

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.  

Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.  

About the AGF–UNDP Thought Leadership Series Launched in 2024, the regional AGF–UNDP Thought Leadership Series creates a space for multi-stakeholder dialogue, idea exchange, and collaborative agenda-setting, grounded in regional realities and aimed at long-term impact.  

To explore more:  

Visit UNDP and AGF digital platforms/Follow UNDP and AGF on social media for the event and series recap video, speaker insights, post-event editorial, and the full outcome report.