26/12/2024
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26/12/2024
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KUWAIT CITY, Dec 26: In 2024, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) reaffirmed its dedication to sustainability by actively initiating and supporting social programs spanning health, social development, environmental protection, youth advancement, education, and women's empowerment. These efforts highlighted NBK's pivotal role in championing social responsibility in Kuwait, reinforcing its position as a leader in driving sustainable development in alignment with the National Development Plan's objectives.
Over the course of the year, NBK reached notable milestones in its sustainability journey through a range of services, contributions, and initiatives. These efforts spanned key areas such as environmental stewardship, healthcare advancements, social empowerment, education, and sports development, highlighting the bank’s dedication to embedding sustainability into its operations and fostering community support.
Commenting on NBK's Sustainability Report 2024, Manal Al-Mattar, Deputy General Manager and Head of the Corporate Communications Group at NBK, stated, “NBK remains committed to steadily amplifying the positive impact of our community investments by diversifying support and driving meaningful social change, all in alignment with the Group's ESG strategy, which we view as a fundamental responsibility.”
NBK Initiatives & Programs
Bankee Program: Promoting Financial Literacy in Schools
This year saw the continued success of the Bankee program, Kuwait's first initiative of its kind, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha). The program aims to enhance financial awareness among school students by offering practical and interactive lessons on financial literacy.
“Our goal is to cultivate a financially informed community that can contribute to sustainable economic growth in Kuwait by integrating financial literacy into the curriculum and promoting public-private partnerships through the implementation of the classroom economy model in schools,” Mattar stated.
Bankee is the first program of its kind, developed by NBK, to introduce financial literacy to the community, with a focus on students in schools. Its aim is to enhance financial inclusion and ensure sustainable improvement in financial literacy within the community for the future.
In its first academic year (2023-2024), the program included 30 schools, 3,400 teachers, and approximately 16,000 students. For the second year (2024-2025), the program aims to reach 60 schools, 6,000 teachers, and 30,000 students.
The program seeks to introduce students to fundamental economic concepts and practices, including earning, spending, saving, and managing financial obligations. This is achieved through a classroom system that simulates the real economic environment, using practical methods and an interactive approach.
The program has been implemented in several primary schools in Kuwait since 2022. In recognition of its innovative approach, the Bank was awarded the Bronze Award for the Bankee program at the Qorus Awards in the Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) category, honoring organizations that integrate sustainability and ESG standards into their operations.
Training Programs for Fresh Graduates
NBK offered internship opportunities through a training program that it sponsored, supported, or organized, including the following initiatives:
-tSponsorship of LOYAC training program "KON". Now in its seventh consecutive year, this program is organized in collaboration with Babson College for Entrepreneurship Education and aims to inspire students to lead and innovate with projects that contribute to societal progress. This year, 53 trainees participated in the program. Additionally, the Bank supported another LOYAC initiative, Kilma, designed to enhance public speaking and persuasion skills. This three-week program saw the participation of 18 young individuals aged 13 to 17.
-tSponsored the TAMAKAN Program, organized by Creative Confidence for the fifth consecutive year, offering 34 trainees specialized courses aimed at enhancing their skills and preparing them to become effective and valuable contributors to the workforce.
-tOrganized the Aspire Program for high school students in 2024, training 120 students aged 14 to 18 on banking skills and conducting workshops in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, Nazaha, Kuwait Dive Team, Omniya Recycling, and Creative Confidence. The program concluded with interactive field tours of some of Kuwait's most successful landmarks in business, culture, and finance, including Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, Kuwait Danish Dairy Company (KDD), Grand Hyatt Hotel, and Kuwait Times newspaper.
Ramadan Initiatives
Al-Mattar emphasized that one of NBK's most notable annual initiatives is its program dedicated to the month of Ramadan. This year, the program involved the distribution of 5,000 meals, including Iftar meals for fasting individuals, through field tours across various areas in Kuwait throughout the holy month. NBK's meal trucks visited residential neighborhoods, popular markets, public transport hubs, and numerous key facilities to distribute Iftar meals, marking a significant milestone in the program’s development. The initiative not only provided financial support but also invested in businesses and social programs, ensuring the ongoing impact of this charitable effort for families and individuals in need.
Environmental Protection
NBK has further strengthened its commitment to community development by providing continuous support for LOYAC’s impactful programs, particularly those centered around sustainability. A notable example is the Permaculture Training Program in Portugal, which underscores the strategic partnership between the Bank and LOYAC in empowering youth and enhancing their understanding of environmental sustainability. Spanning seven days, this initiative exemplifies NBK's dedication to fostering a generation of socially responsible individuals who are equipped to drive positive change in the environment.
NBK also supported the "EcoQuest" competition, which LOYAC has established as a regular initiative to promote environmental awareness and foster knowledge and culture among high school students aged 15 to 17. This competition aligns with LOYAC's strategy for green spaces and its goal of raising environmental awareness among youth, preparing an empowered generation committed to advancing sustainable agriculture and expanding green spaces in Kuwait. This year, 35 students participated in the competition.
NBK also took part in the trips organized by the LOYAC Environmental Volunteer Foundation, as well as the Green Volunteering and Green Darb programs, which support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 15, which focuses on life on land. This aligns with NBK's strategy to invest in and support society. The volunteer trips included visits to the Sulaibiya and Wafra farms, with a total of 130 volunteers participating in the environmental training programs.
As part of its sponsorship of Kuwait Dive Team's project to protect and rehabilitate the marine environment, islands, and coral reefs, NBK supported the team in an operation focused on removing harmful waste and neglected fishing nets. The Kuwait Dive Team successfully removed plastic waste and abandoned fishing nets from various areas of Kuwaiti coasts, contributing to the preservation of the marine ecosystem.
NBK also supported Omniya Recycling's "Your School’s Wish " project, the largest educational competition across all government educational levels, aimed at collecting plastic for recycling.
NBK also extended its support to the Blank Camp for children aged 3 to 13, aiming to foster their creativity. As part of this initiative, the children created five advertisements centered around the concept of sustainability, in collaboration with a company specializing in animation production.
Diverse social support
Speaking about social initiatives, Al-Mattar highlighted the total social welfare efforts provided by NBK this year, led by organizations such as LOYAC, Bait Abdullah, and Kuwait Association for the Care of Children in Hospital (KACCH). The Bank also supported various events, including Center 21 and the Kuwaiti Association for Learning Differences (KALD), along with projects in collaboration with the Red Crescent Society and the annual Ramadan “Doing Good Deeds” program. Furthermore, NBK contributed to significant cultural projects with the Jaber Cultural Center and Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah, reflecting the Bank's commitment to being a leading supporter of events that hold cultural and artistic value, fostering purposeful development and strengthening the cultural depth of society.
Furthermore, NBK organized an open day for low-income children and their families, offering them a chance to enjoy a day filled with fun and sports activities, especially for those unable to access summer programs. This initiative reflects NBK's commitment to sustainable development and aligns with the United Nations SDGs, aiming to enhance the quality of life for underprivileged children and contribute to building a more equitable society. The event, held in collaboration with the Touristic Enterprises Company, hosted 55 children aged 6 to 12 who participated in swimming, sports lessons, competitions, and other recreational activities. Each child received gifts and prizes, making the day truly special.
NBK Run
NBK organized its annual NBK Run, reaffirming its dedication to community development through initiatives that foster social engagement. This year, the Bank partnered with EQUATE Petrochemical Company to enhance the event, including a special needs category for participants. EQUATE sponsored this category across three groups: wheelchair users, visually impaired individuals, and those with prosthetics. The 30th edition of the race attracted over 7,000 participants and a large audience, underscoring NBK's success in hosting events that consistently garner widespread participation and community trust.
NBK Children's Hospital Activities and the “I Dream To Be” Initiative
NBK continued its weekly activities at the NBK Specialized Hospital for Hematology, Cancer, and Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation, aiming to provide exceptional psychological care for patients and their families. Over the year, the Bank organized 16 activities, attended by approximately 300 children, creating moments of joy and support during their treatment journey.
As part of its "I Dream to Be" initiative, NBK brought joy to six children with cancer by fulfilling their dreams, highlighting the Bank's dedication to making a meaningful difference in their lives.
This year, NBK continued its support for Bayt Abdullah (BACH) and KACCH, reinforcing its commitment to health-focused initiatives aimed at supporting children with cancer.
Prioritizing Employee Well-Being for a Healthier and More Productive Work Environment
Through its Employee Wellbeing Program, NBK provides a range of medical, health, and awareness campaigns dedicated to enhancing the well-being of its employees.
As part of its health awareness campaigns, NBK collaborates with Wara Hospital, with specialists and doctors stationed at the NBK Clinic located at the Bank's headquarters. The clinic, now managed by Wara, provides employees with consultations and conducts necessary medical tests to support their health and well-being.
As part of this year's awareness initiatives, NBK launched several awareness campaigns aligned with international and national events. The most prominent of these campaigns focused on employee health, addressing mental health, nutritional health, physical well-being, exercise, as well as chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and incurable diseases like breast cancer, among others.
NBK also organized numerous recreational activities and trips for its employees. This year, the Bank inaugurated a library corner for relaxation and leisure, while continuing to offer access to the health club at its headquarters for all employees.
Women Empowerment
As part of its commitment to women's safety and security, NBK illuminated its headquarters in orange, marking one of Kuwait's landmarks for 16 days in support of the UN's "The World is Orange" campaign. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about the severity of gender-based violence. Notably, NBK was among the first organizations in Kuwait to sign the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPS) on the United Nations website.
