2026: Humanitarian Action as a Global Force for Change

We focus on practical initiatives that respond to real community needs, strengthen stability, and create sustainable opportunities. In Saudi Arabia, the Housing and Cars Project, implemented with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing and Sakan foundation, provides 10,000 homes and 10,000 vehicles for the most vulnerable families, benefiting more than 70,000 people. Building on this model, we expanded the program to Egypt with Misr El Kheir Foundation supporting 10,000 families and reaching more than 36,000 people, confirming the ability of effective local models to achieve impact in different communities.

In health, our collaboration with UNICEF has supported vaccination programs against measles and rubella for more than 54 million children worldwide, improving community health and protecting future generations, reflecting our commitment to sustainable global health solutions.

Empowerment lies at the heart of every pillar of our work. Sustainable change begins with collaboration, and every initiative starts with a clear commitment: working with local organizations who understand their communities and connecting with global partners who bring expertise and perspective. This ensures that our programs are relevant, effective, and create lasting impact.

We take pride in the Saudi Women Artisans Empowerment Program, which trained over 3,500 artisans, connected them with markets, and enhanced the quality of their products while preserving national heritage. The initiative goes beyond income generation by strengthening cultural identity and linking local crafts to global markets. Building on this successful model, we expanded the approach in partnership with Turquoise Mountain, empowering more than 10,000 artisans in Palestine, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Saudi Arabia. This growth shows that true empowerment is rooted in the realities of the communities we serve.

Our partnership with Ashoka Arab World strengthens social entrepreneurship among youth in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Morocco, reaching over 30,000 beneficiaries directly and indirectly, reflecting our commitment to women and youth as a central driver of sustainable impact.

Lasting change transcends borders. At Alwaleed Philanthropies, we believe that meaningful impact is built on relationships that connect local insights with global reach. The Alwaleed Cultural Network exemplifies this principle, bringing together academic centers at leading universities and thinkers from around the world. By highlighting shared values, the network fosters understanding and collaboration toward a more unified global community. Today, it comprises 13 distinguished members, including Harvard, Georgetown, Cambridge, Edinburgh, American University of Beirut, American University in Cairo, Turquoise Mountain, Oxford University Museums, the Museum of Islamic Art in Berlin, NYU Abu Dhabi, and the World Scout Organization, attracting over 400,000 visitors to its website.

Our partnerships with world-class museums play a vital role in cultural exchange and inclusion. At the Museum of Islamic Art in Pergamon Museum in Berlin, we support restoration, expansion, educational programming, and training for refugees and newcomers as cultural guides. In Oxford, the Multaka Project leverages museum collections to bring communities together, particularly refugees and newly settled families, fostering learning and social cohesion. In Paris, the Louvre’s Islamic Art Department has undergone transformative change through new educational spaces, interactive exhibits like the “Key Cabinet,” and innovative storytelling tools that bring the richness of Islamic heritage to millions of international visitors.

Together, we work to foster cleaner, healthier environments through innovative projects that engage local communities and global partners. We prioritize solutions that create measurable, tangible impact for both people and the planet.

Through our collaboration with the Gates foundation in the Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV), we support innovative clean-energy startups tackling climate challenges. Since 2016, BEV has backed more than 61 startups in key sectors such as sustainable agriculture and clean transportation, contributing to a greener future.

In India, our textile recycling program with ENVIU and CAIF has provided training and employment for women in the circular economy, reducing waste and promoting environmental and social sustainability for over 600 beneficiaries. In Tunisia, our partnership with UN-Habitat supports sustainable waste management, empowering women to lead collection and recycling efforts, generating income opportunities, and benefiting more than 60,000 people.

True resilience is tested in times of crisis, and our commitment remains steadfast. Effective disaster response requires immediate action alongside long-term capacity building. Local partners lead interventions with acute awareness of urgent needs, supported by international partners providing resources and expertise to ensure sustainable impact.

Following the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey, we supported primary health care, mental health, social services, rehabilitation for people with disabilities, medical supply distribution, and water infrastructure repair. Health workers received training to deliver integrated care, strengthening both emergency response and long-term system resilience. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we partnered with ISESCO to deploy five relief convoys across Morocco, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, and Burkina Faso, delivering critical medical supplies, supporting local production of protective equipment, building sustainable capacity, and strengthening early monitoring and response while supporting local economies affected by the crisis.

At Alwaleed Philanthropies, we see humanitarian work as empowerment in action. Success is measured not only by aid delivered, but by the opportunities created, the people and communities empowered, and the partnerships that amplify collective impact.

Our approach integrates local knowledge with global expertise to design solutions that are meaningful, scalable, and enduring. From empowering women and youth, to strengthening community resilience, promoting sustainability, and responding to crises, our work touches over 1.5 billion beneficiaries across 190+ countries.

Looking ahead, we reaffirm our commitment to humanity, to act alongside communities, to innovate thoughtfully, and to create opportunities that unlock potential and foster resilience. Our vision is a future where everyone, everywhere, can contribute to a more compassionate, inclusive, and hopeful world, where humanitarian action is not just a response to need, but a catalyst for global change.