The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF), convened a regional workshop in Cairo under the Thought Leadership Series for Arab States. Titled “Unlocking Innovative Financing for Resilience: Youth, Skills, and Inclusion,” the event explored how innovative financing and impact investing can expand access to jobs, strengthen skills development, and promote inclusive economic participation, particularly for youth and vulnerable groups.
The workshop gathered philanthropic organizations, development institutions, private sector representatives, and investment actors to examine blended finance and catalytic funding models as tools to address widening development financing gaps. It built on earlier sessions in Jordan and reflected growing momentum to position strategic philanthropy as a driver of resilience and scalable development solutions across the region.
Discussions highlighted Egypt’s broader development context, including an SDG financing gap estimated at nearly 70 percent of GDP by 2030, alongside challenges such as youth unemployment, low female labor force participation, and the pressures of hosting refugees. UNDP representatives emphasized the need to rethink capital mobilization, noting that partnerships with AGF are already producing promising examples of strategic philanthropy and innovative financing delivering tangible impact.
Speakers stressed the importance of moving beyond traditional grant-based models toward sustainable financing approaches such as impact investing, risk-sharing mechanisms, and results-based financing. These tools can mobilize private capital and direct it toward long-term social and economic priorities. AGF representatives underscored that investment in youth must be scaled and sustained to support resilience and stability in the Arab region.
The workshop also examined the evolving impact investing landscape, highlighting philanthropy’s role in blended finance structures. It concluded with interactive knowledge exchange sessions to identify opportunities for future collaboration.
As part of the UNDP–AGF Thought Leadership Series, the Cairo convening contributes to regional efforts to reposition philanthropy as a strategic partner in development finance ecosystems. By aligning financing flows with national priorities, including Egypt Vision 2030, the initiative aims to strengthen resilience outcomes and foster inclusive growth across the Arab States.
