More than 50 orphans learned essential innovation skills during a transformative initiative aimed at providing mentorship, training and career readiness for underserved youth across the Mena region.
The Starbucks EmpowerME programme was made possible through a partnership with The Starbucks Foundation and Alshaya Group, aiming to empower the young participants while amplifying their creative and innovative ideas.
“We are thrilled to lead the EmpowerME programme, which reflects our commitment to nurturing the potential of youth in our communities,” Starbucks MENA senior vice-president Samar Jabbour noted.
“Events like this not only cultivate innovation but also foster a sense of belonging among participants.
“We are dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of young people throughout the region.”
Attendees at the session included children of Bahraini martyrs.
Facilitated through the Interior Ministry in partnership with Injaz Al Arab, the programme focused on mentorship and skill development, underscoring the importance of engaging underprivileged communities.
“Strong partnerships create stronger opportunities for young people,” Injaz Al Arab and Junior Achievement (JA) MENA president and chief executive officer Akef Aqrabawi added.
“Together with The Starbucks Foundation and Alshaya Group, we are empowering youth with the skills and confidence they need to succeed and drive positive change across our region.”
Starbucks employees became mentors during the session, guiding participants in developing solutions to real-world problems.
Students were given a limited time frame to ideate and pitch their proposals to a panel of judges, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Winning ideas were recognised with trophies and awards, celebrating their creativity and dedication.
The EmpowerME programme aims to reach more than 120,000 youth by providing crucial resources for mentorship, training and career readiness initiatives.
In its second year, the programme has already engaged more than 80,000 young people through tailored initiatives, ensuring that youth from all backgrounds, including young women and displaced individuals, can access essential skills and opportunities.
Alshaya Group and The Starbucks Foundation have a long history of supporting young people and communities in the Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye.
Programmes, including the launch of Shared Planet Youth Action Grants in 2008, Opportunity Cafés in 2016 and the Starbucks Foundation’s Global Community Impact Grants programme since 2022, have taught young people skills for economic success.
They have also extended disaster response grants, offered humanitarian food aid in Gaza, provided relief for those affected by the Beirut port explosion, and supported recovery efforts following the earthquakes in Türkiye, Syria and Morocco.
Operating in 13 countries across Mena, Injaz Al Arab is the only non-profit organisation in the region that harnesses the mentorship of business leaders to help inspire a culture of entrepreneurship and business innovation among Arab youth.
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