Fifth Edition of Future of Non-Profit Sector Forum highlights sector role in urban development and enhancing quality of life

Riyadh hosted the Fifth Edition of Future of Non-Profit Sector Forum on Nov. 2 under the theme “The Role of the Non-Profit Sector in the Urban Landscape.” The event brought together a group of leaders, experts and specialists through four panel discussions and six training workshops, exploring the sector’s role in urban development and sustaining its social impact.

The forum also honored the winners of the “Towards Impact” Challenge. HRH Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr Al Saud, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of ROSHN Foundation, and Dr. Badr bin Hamoud Al Badr, CEO of Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk), presented the winning entities with financial grants totaling SAR 3 million across three tracks.

The first session, titled “The Non-Profit Contractor: Innovating for Developmental Housing,” discussed the development of housing solutions and development partnerships. The second session, “Placemaking: Social Inclusion in Cities and Public Spaces,” explored the importance of designing facilities to serve all segments of society, promoting universal accessibility, developing parks and public spaces, and preserving urban and heritage identity.

The third session, “Investing in Infrastructure with Social Returns,” showcased innovative models for financing and sustaining development projects. The fourth session, “Urban Development for People,” focused on building sustainable cities and enhancing community participation in their development.

The forum was attended by HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Special Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Heritage Commission, along with a number of other royal, senior government and dignitary attendees. More than 1,000 people participated, including attendees, speakers, panelists and workshop participants.

The accompanying exhibition featured architectural models showcasing notable projects by the non-profit sector, including facilities of the King Salman Center for Disability Research, Sultan bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City, and ROSHN Group projects. It also displayed 3D-printed models from the Heritage Commission, exhibits by non-profit entities such as the “Homeland Model Initiative” of the Al Fozan Program for Community Service, models of street vendor kiosks by Forsa Association, publications by the Heritage Commission, an architectural model of King Khalid Grand Mosque in Riyadh, and an engineering model of housing solutions by National Developmental Housing Foundation (SAKAN).  

The forum was jointly organized by 21 national non-profit entities, including foundations, charitable organizations and development initiatives, as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration and partnerships supporting the growth of the non-profit sector and expand its development impact.

The organizing entities were: King Khalid Foundation; King Abdullah Humanitarian Foundation; Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk); Princess Seetah bint Abdulaziz Award for Excellence in Social Work; Sultan bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City; Mutib bin Abdulaziz Foundation; Alwaleed Philanthropies; Salem bin Mahfouz Foundation; Al Rajhi Humanitarian Foundation; Subaie Charity Foundation; Sakan Foundation; Al Fozan Program for Community Service; Hayat Foundation; Saleh Abdullah Kamel Humanitarian Foundation; Noura Al-Mallahi Foundation; Abdulkader AlMuhaidib Foundation for Community Service; Al-Sulaiman Foundation; Sulaiman Abanumay Foundation; Council on Foundations; Morooj Foundation; and Shaml Foundation, one of the Ministry of Justice’s initiatives under the National Transformation Program.