Leading development philanthropic organisations, Shell Foundation and Emirates Foundation have signed a formal alliance agreement to share information, expertise, models and networks and help promote strategic philanthropy in the region.

Shell Foundation is an independent UK registered charity, established by Shell Group in 2000, that catalyses enterprise-based solutions to global poverty and environmental challenges.

Emirates Foundation brings together public and private sectors to create initiatives to invest in young people in the UAE.

The ceremony, which took place in London, was attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum Al-Maktoum, First Secretary at the UAE Embassy in London.

The alliance will build on Shell Foundation’s ten year experience in deploying market-based solutions to tackle development challenges at scale in Africa, Asia and Latin America and on Emirates Foundation’s track record in catalysing public-private initiatives to help young people in the UAE.

Chris West, the director, Shell Foundation said: "Over the last ten years, we have been learning what works and what doesn’t work when you apply business thinking to global issues like job creation, sustainable mobility or access to energy at scale."

"I am pleased to develop a formal alliance with Emirates Foundation who are breaking new ground by applying this type of philanthropy in the Middle East. We plan to learn from each other and use our combined strengths to widen our impact," he stated.

Emirates Foundation CEO Clare Woodcraft said, "Shell’s approach whereby they invest in social enterprises has already proven successful in other parts of the world. We are excited to work together to apply this kind of thinking to our work in the UAE and promote the same approach in the broader Middle East."

"Between us we have valuable experience in how best to harness the private sector and the ability to test new ways to deliver real impact," he added.-TradeArabia News Service