KUWAIT CITY, Dec 29: stc has consistently demonstrated its commitment to supporting the community through its comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, which was further strengthened this year with its Sustainability Program. As a pioneer in Kuwait’s telecom and digital industries, stc has been a catalyst for positive change by implementing or participating in initiatives within the key areas of education, environmental sustainability, sports, youth empowerment, and entrepreneurship. Through these activities and initiatives, stc aimed to create lasting contributions for the community, while also aligning with the Company’s strategic focus on enabling digital transformation.

Danah AlJasem, General Manager of Corporate Communications at stc, said, “Over the years, stc broadened its CSR framework to include various sub-programs that have played a role in shaping the Company’s commitment to its key pillars. Initiatives such as ‘Weyak’, the educational ‘upgrade’ initiative, and ‘Because We Care’ have now taken on a more prominent role under the framework, with annual reoccurring initiatives launched under their respective umbrellas.”

In 2024, stc signed several strategic partnerships with various local institutions to create a wider and more positive impact within the community. These partnerships came in addition to the different initiatives launched by stc annually, as we all the Company’s CSR agenda for the year. Under each partnership, stc contributed in different ways to the core pillars defined under its CSR framework. This enabled the Company to support the youth, as well as segments in the community in unique ways alongside trusted partners.”

Aside from its partnerships and collaborations, stc launched its own unique initiatives focused on addressing and highlighting key topics that impact the community. The initiatives, in alignment with the Company’s CSR pillars, aimed to either engage with the community or the Company’s employees in different positive ways. One key subject that stc strongly stands by is empowering the youth and supporting the younger generation. In launching its own initiatives under this category, stc held its annual programs for students, while introducing various educational platforms. These efforts, as well as other activities implemented by stc, have significantly contributed to strengthening the social fabric and fostering unity across diverse segments of Kuwait’s society.

Sustainability Program - Small Move, Big Impact

With a newfound outlook on sustainable practices, stc announced its Sustainability Program, an annual initiative that reinforces the Company’s commitment to sustainability across the ESG pillars. Under this program, stc implemented a series of strategic initiatives to enhance its carbon footprint and promote eco-friendly practices through community-driven projects focused on education, youth empowerment, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, stc worked closely with government bodies and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with the highest governance standards, further embedding transparency, accountability, and ethical business practices into its operations. Through this comprehensive approach, the Sustainability Program reflects stc’s long-term vision of integrating sustainability into every aspect of its business, creating a positive and lasting impact on society and the environment.

A highlight of the ‘Sustainability Program was the launch of the first standalone Sustainability Report in line with our commitment to transparency and progress. This milestone reflects our dedication to integrating sustainable practices across all aspects of our business while creating long-term value for our stakeholders.

As part of the campaign, stc collaborated with the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy (MEW), through an awareness-based social media campaign highlighting the importance of conserving water and electricity.

Another initiative was the Partnership with Tadwire to launch E-waste recycling initiative. Supported by the Kuwait National SME Fund, Tadwire complemented stc’s sustainability initiative for the year 2024, focusing on ways to reduce the waste footprint in its offices, operations, and the community.

stc partnered with SEEDs by sponsoring Bloom Market, the first market dedicated to promoting sustainable lifestyle and entertainment in Kuwait, in addition to launching the Plastic Free July initiative, which included 17 sustainable Kuwaiti projects. All vendors in the market were committed to not using plastic, and participants ranged from recycled furniture stores to eco-friendly daily consumer goods and fashion clothing.

As part of a series of initiatives, stc announced its strategic sponsorship of the sustainability forum organized by the Kuwait Transparency Society. The forum, bearing the slogan, “Governance and environmental sustainability: Effective methods and practices”, was held at the National Library Theater under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Amthal Al-Huwaila, Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs. Through this program, the Company aimed to raise awareness on various issues, while adopting long-term sustainable practices that leave a positive impact on the community and future generations.

stc also collaborated with the Ministry of Municipality to launch a significant cleaning campaign in the Al Mutlaa desert area. With the spirit of environmental consciousness and community service in mind, employees were invited to participate in the clean-up, where they were presented with an opportunity to actively contribute to the preservation of the environment.

Celebrating Kuwait in a national TVC

In celebration of Kuwait’s National and Liberation Days, stc launched its TVC concept, titled “الكويتي مازال”, which blended modernity and tradition through a focus on the importance of progression and sustainability in the community. The production featured several influential figures that have played a role in empowering the community, especially the younger generation. Following its long-standing commitment to sustainability, coupled with its extensive corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, the TVC aimed to reflect the values that stc stands by along with the importance of these activities in nurturing and empowering entrepreneurs, innovators, and the younger generation.

The concept and execution of the production was done by Together Production, with Sine Agency as the production house. The production featured the well-known singer Bader Al-Shaeebi, lyrist and composer Ali Bougheith, under the direction of Shamlan Al-Nassar and the director of photography Amin Shamsuddin.

Youssef Al-Omran, also known as "Bu Jarrah”, a well-known advocate for sustainability, as well as other influencers and supporters featured in the production alongside the Kuwaiti award-winning inventor Jenan Al Shehab, along with media influencers Alia Ahmad, Jenan Al Zaid and Ali Najm were featured in the TVC considering their roles as influencers who encourage the importance of knowledge, achievements, and other aspects that drive progression and innovation.

‘With good, we go further’

During the Holy Month of Ramadan, stc launched its “With good, we go further” campaign, which consisted of different activities and programs designed to emphasize the importance of performing good deeds for the greater good of the community. The approach behind the “With good, we go further” campaign was to show participants and the public the trickle effect of doing good in the community, and how the impact can grow towards a positive sustainable future. stc, with the support of its various partners, launched initiatives that aimed to spread goodness in the community in ways that positively impact members of the community. These initiatives came in the form of distributing meals, supporting worshippers during Ramadan, spreading awareness on various issues, and engaging with the community.

The initiatives launched during the campaign included partnering with the Zajel Volunteer Team to organize various activities including the largest Futoor with over 3,000 meals distributed in Mubarakiya in collaboration with Kuwait Municipality, Gastronomica, and Jahez Kuwait. This came in addition to distributing Eid gifts at the Zajel Expo to families in need. stc also collaborated with Flare Fitness to host the “Your Calories = internet” event, as well as collaborating with the Aspire Kids Club to distribute iftar meals and hold workshops to assist children in memorizing the Holy Quran.

On the community front, stc participated in various initiatives such as the Al Qabas 2024 Padel Tournament where the Company was a sponsor for the 3rd year in a row. stc also hosted a Quran memorization contest in collaboration with the Imam of Grand Mosque Sheikh Omar Al Damkhi. During the Qiyam prayers in the last ten days of Ramadan, a special service for worshippers was organized by stc during the last 10 days of Ramadan at different mosques in Kuwait. Additionally, stc hosted several Girgean celebrations within the different events it participated in as part of its Ramadan celebrations for the youth.

These initiatives, as well as other implemented under the “With good, we go further” theme aimed to diversify stc’s range of activities, programs, and sponsorships, positively aligning with the core objectives behind the Company’s CSR and sustainability frameworks.

“Weyak” - Empowering Kuwaiti youth while nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem within the community

AlJasem added, “The ‘Weyak’ initiative remained to be an integral part of stc’s CSR efforts in 2024, with innovative approaches to inspiring and empowering Kuwaiti youth while nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem within the community. Designed to support the aspirations of young innovators, startups, and SMEs, ‘Weyak’ provided tools and resources needed to either bring ambitious ideas to life or support existing concepts in thriving. With a special focus on blending creativity with business skills, the various programs under the initiative helped individuals achieve their set out objectives while contributing to the progression of Kuwait’s economy.”

With its objectives set on supporting SMEs in Kuwait, stc’s ‘Weyak’ initiative engaged with aspiring entrepreneurs throughout various activities and programs. The Company organized several gatherings for entrepreneurs and SMEs as part of its strategic focus on empowering the private sector to drive economic growth and societal advancement. The interactive experience enabled like minded individuals to share their experiences and unique journeys in starting their own businesses, while discussing the entrepreneurial landscape in Kuwait.

Aside from that, stc strengthened its strategic partnership with Flare Fitness by sponsoring the ‘Flare Festival’ for the 5th consecutive year. Flare Festival is considered one of the largest events of its kind in Kuwait and this year welcomed over 3,500 registered competitors across all tournament events, with a total of over 8,000 attendees over the course of three days.

stc also organized its first gathering for Kuwaiti female photographers coinciding with ‘World Photography Day’, with a workshop conducted by Kuwaiti photographer, Haya Buqammaz. The event brought together 45 talented female photographers to discuss various styles of capturing photographs

stc organized several workshops that covered important entrepreneurial topics to support entrepreneurs and start-ups in Kuwait. Through ‘weyak’ program and workshops, stc seeks to support and equip motivated business leaders with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed and thrive.

The ‘Weyak’ initiative reflects stc’s deep commitment to building a thriving economy for young entrepreneurs and innovators. The initiative is rooted in the belief that Kuwait’s future prosperity depends on empowering its youth and supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem in line with Kuwait Vision 2035. Over the years, stc made this a priority within its CSR strategy, ensuring that its initiatives resonate with this vision. In 2024, the Company continued to push boundaries by introducing innovative ideas and platforms, assisting individuals and businesses navigate and benefit from the rapidly evolving digital world.

‘upgrade’ - focusing on supporting educational programs and platforms that aim to spread knowledge to members of the community

Commenting on the educational ‘upgrade’ initiative, AlJasem said, “Education remains one of the key pillars of stc’s CSR framework, especially in 2024. Since the launch of its educational ‘upgrade’ initiative, stc focused on supporting educational programs and platforms that aim to uplift the education sector while spreading knowledge to members of the community. Several initiatives were launched throughout the year under the umbrella of the educational ‘upgrade’ initiative, each serving a different purpose. This focus mirrors stc's understanding of the nature of academic excellence in building a sustainable future.”

Throughout the year, stc formed strategic partnerships with various institutions such as the National Union of Kuwaiti Students (NUKS) – Kuwait University Branch, Kuwait College for Science and Technology (KCST), Kuwait Technical College (KTECH), and the Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity (SACGC). The strategic partnerships focused on launching and sponsoring different programs that aimed to enhance the accessibility to educational platforms that can assist students and individuals in learning more about different subjects. Some of the programs stc participated in following the partnerships included the TechNext program launched by KTECH which was designed to channel their creativity and innovation within the field of technology. Another program was KTECH’s coding competition that witnessed the participation of over 30 public high schools where students had to put their problem solving and python programming skills to use. stc also sponsored the Journey in Kuwait” robotics competition under its strategic partnership with SACGC. The “Journey in Kuwait” competition focused on the exciting world of robotics, programming, and artificial intelligence (AI), and was for children between the ages of 7 and 10 years old.

Other than the programs stc participated in as part of the Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) that it formed with various institutions, the Company also participated in several honoring ceremonies for academic excellence. stc honored top performing high school students at stc’s headquarters in Olympia Tower which was attended by Maryam Al-Enezi, Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Development & Activities Sector at the Ministry of Education, and stc executives including Eng. Muataz Aldharrab, CEO of stc. The Company also honored 130 exceptional students with physical disabilities for the 3rd consecutive year in the presence of Mansour Al-Dhafiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Special and Specific Education, Mahmoud Abdel-Rida, acting Director of Special Education Schools Administration and the presence of several GCC ambassadors in Kuwait. 60 Kuwait University students who displayed academic excellence in the College of Arts were also celebrated by stc during 2024.

Through a range of impactful programs and activities in 2024, the educational ‘upgrade’ initiative reinforced stc’s dedication to cultivating a society rooted in knowledge and awareness. The activities carried out under the initiative align with the Company’s broader vision of social responsibility, addressing immediate community needs while creating a positive long-term impact on the younger generation.

‘Because we care’ – to reinforce our commitment towards the community

As for stc’s commitment to the environment and the community, AlJasem stated, “Environmental preservation, sustainable practices, and personal wellness are all key themes under stc’s ‘Because we care’ initiative. Throughout 2024, stc launched and participated in numerous campaigns that aimed to spread awareness on various health issues and environmental causes that impact the community.”

Under the ‘Because we care’ initiative, stc carried out its annual health initiatives related to Blood Donation, Breast Cancer and Prostate Cancer. The Company collaborated with various entities to promote and raise awareness on these health issues and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

stc welcomed arriving Hejaj at Kuwait International Airport’s Terminal 4 from Mecca for the 3rd year in a row, in collaboration with the Kuwait International Airport and the Directorate General for Civil Aviation and Incheon Korea for Airports Services- T4.

In celebration of Eid Al Adha, stc organized a visit to Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Hospital in the presence of Gergasha Characters and stc Sofara’a Team from all departments to distribute gifts and bring joy to the children who are seeking medical needs.

As part of stc’s ongoing commitment to foster health and wellbeing across the community and in collaboration with the Kuwait Oncology Association and other strategic partners, the Company launched its annual breast cancer awareness campaign called, “Your Awareness protects you” in line with Breast Cancer Awareness Month to promote early detection and prevention

The activities launched under stc’s ‘Because we care’ initiative were designed to promote community wellbeing while raising awareness about environmental, health and societal issues. To create a lasting positive impact, stc strongly believes in the power of engaging with the community by providing them with platforms to come together and do good for the community. The activities organized under the initiative also align closely with the stc’s broader strategy to enhance the quality of life and lifestyle choices for its customers.

11th intake of ‘inspireU’ entrepreneur accelerator

In collaboration with inspireU from stc group, this year witnessed the launch of the 2nd take of the inspireU Program in Kuwait, an entrepreneurial state-of-the-art incubator and accelerator designed to support startups and SMEs in Kuwait which focused on several areas including fintech, cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), IoT, and online gaming. The program aims to equip entrepreneurs with the tools and guidance needed to turn their ideas into successful projects, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship to create new job opportunities and enhance sustainable growth, in line with stc's vision for enabling digital transformation

And by the end of 2024, stc celebrated the graduates of the “inspireU” program in a graduation ceremony held by stc Group in its HQ in Riyadh that recognized 44 businesses and startups that completed the inspireU program, including 5 startups from Kuwait. This marked the successful conclusion of the program’s 10th and 11th intakes, as well as the first season of the advanced inspireU program.

A lasting positive impact

As stc looks ahead, the Company remains deeply committed to creating a positive and lasting impact on the community through its comprehensive CSR and sustainability programs. These initiatives, rooted in stc’s core values, aim to empower individuals, drive social and economic progress, and foster environmental stewardship. By addressing immediate community needs while laying the groundwork for long-term benefits, stc continues to build a legacy of positive change that resonates across Kuwait.

AlJasem concluded, “The progress we have made through our CSR and sustainability programs, as well as our collaborations with various institutions in Kuwait, align with our overall mission to drive positive and lasting change in the community. We are grateful for the opportunities we have had to contribute meaningfully to the lives of individuals and society as a whole. Moving forward, we aim to build on these achievements by strengthening our partnerships and exploring new ways to address the evolving needs of our community, ensuring a brighter and more sustainable future for generations to come.”

Looking ahead, stc envisions deepening its role as a responsible corporate citizen by further integrating sustainability into its core business strategy and operation. Having set its long-term strategic goals, stc will continue to build strategic partnerships with local and international organizations, adding value to its programs through wider reach and exposure to remain impactful and relevant. The Company will also continue focusing on expanding its environmental initiatives, with plans to launch new projects that contribute to Kuwait’s sustainability goals. By aligning its CSR and Sustainability programs with both national and global objectives, stc reaffirms its commitment to creating lasting, positive change across the community and driving sustainable development for future generations.