Two decades of community projects

Hessa Al Hammadi, Director of the Community Cohesion Department at SSSD, said the department began launching community projects roughly two decades ago. Today it runs seven permanent social projects, alongside others that operate on a non-permanent basis. These projects aim to boost community wellbeing and improve the quality of life for the groups they target, while also helping participating companies build a positive reputation and strengthen their ties with the community.

Al Hammadi said companies that get involved play a genuine role in advancing sustainable development goals and supporting social stability — contributions that feed into a community built on wellbeing, security, family stability and social inclusion.

Defining corporate social responsibility

Al Hammadi described corporate social responsibility as a voluntary commitment through which companies support the community and contribute to sustainable development, whether through cash contributions or in-kind support such as goods and services, channelled into development projects spanning the economy, education, the environment and healthcare.

She said SSSD's humanitarian projects and initiatives leave a positive mark on the community broadly, and on vulnerable groups in particular – reaching seniors, children without social care, low-income families and children denied access to education. The goal, she said, is to activate the role of community responsibility among partners in a way that leaves a lasting mark on society and its members.

The seven projects

Sanad provides direct financial support to low-income individuals and families in need who qualify for social assistance, helping them manage their living circumstances.

Noon covers education and study costs for a number of students under its "sponsor a scholar" category, including children without social care from shelter homes and children of parents who are imprisoned or struggling with addiction — offered either as a one-year scholarship sponsorship or ongoing educational support for struggling students.

"Our Heaven is with You" supports and socially integrates elderly parents in recognition of their enduring contributions to their children and communities, including participation in International Day of Older Persons events on October 1, recreational competitions and gift-giving.

Basma, SSSD's home improvement project, upgrades housing for low-income families registered with the department, providing maintenance and quality improvements such as furniture, paint, lighting, plumbing fixtures, carpets, furnishings and electronics.

Farhat Eid, one of SSSD's oldest community responsibility projects, distributes "Eid joy" boxes through participating institutions and entities to bring happiness to children on Eid Al Fitr. It gives organisations a channel to support children among the department's beneficiaries and those in care homes with gifts and Eid essentials, encouraging individuals and institutions to come together around values of compassion and solidarity.

Barakat Al Dar funds ongoing charitable giving through the construction of endowment buildings, with proceeds supporting residents of SSSD's elderly care and social care homes.

Aman supports people affected by crises and disasters with cash assistance, food, clothing, furnishings and household appliances, alongside cleaning, repair and home maintenance services, building materials, tools and necessary health services.