“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
We proudly announce that MENA Impact is now B Corp certified. You might ask, but how does this quote relate to our certification? To understand, we must take a step back and reflect on our journey.
The Foundation of MENA Impact
MENA Impact was founded in 2021 with a vision that extended far beyond traditional business operations. From the outset, our mission was clear: to empower individuals and businesses across the MENA region to create lasting impact. We’ve always believed that business should be a force for good, and this belief has shaped our approach to everything we do.
As our CEO, Nadine Zidani, aptly puts it: “Becoming a B Corp has been one of our goals since the inception of MENA Impact. I’m really proud of this achievement and the journey we’ve taken to reach it.”
For us, achieving B Corp Certification is more than just a badge; it’s a validation of our core values and the impact we strive to achieve every day.
What is B Corp?
At the heart of our business model is the commitment to balancing purpose and profit. Becoming a B Corp means meeting high standards of environmental and social impact, accountability, and transparency. To achieve this certification, we underwent a rigorous third-party assessment that evaluated our practices and performance across various impact areas, including governance, workers, community, environment, and customers.
Our B Corp certification, with a score of 90.5, places us among a community of companies dedicated to making a positive difference. In the UAE, the average score for businesses is 50.9, and we are proud to be the 12th company in the country, and one of just over 20 in the entire MENA region—to achieve this milestone.
MENA Impact’s Business Model: Purpose at the Core
Our business model is built on a foundation of purpose-driven actions. We don’t just talk about making an impact; we’ve integrated it into every aspect of our operations. From tackling youth unemployment to addressing resource scarcity and climate change, we are committed to shaping a better future for the MENA region.
We believe that the challenges our region faces, from climate change to social inequities, cannot be tackled alone. It’s only by coming together, within the region and as part of a broader global movement, that we can drive the systemic changes needed to build a better future.
Our impact commitments span from driving the adoption of international impact standards across the region, advocate for greater sustainability awareness, and prepare the workforce for the sustainable transformation of organizations. Our vision is to unify the MENA impact ecosystem with the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as our core purpose.
One of our key commitments is empowering MENA youth through employment. We support young people from underemployed countries like Palestine by providing sustainability training and job opportunities, enabling them to enter the workforce and contribute to the region’s sustainable future.
To further demonstrate our commitment, we have published our impact report, which details our progress and the tangible outcomes we’ve achieved. This report, along with our public profile on the B Corp website, provides transparency and accountability, allowing others to see the real-world impact of our work.
A Collective Achievement
The journey to B Corp certification was a collective effort, with each team member contributing to our success. As Malak El Batta, our Content Lead, reflected, “I remember the first days I joined MENA Impact. In our onboarding session, Nadine, our CEO, explained what B Corp is. To be honest, I had never heard of the movement, but as days passed and I saw how we operate, I understood and lived the concept of B Corp, waiting with excitement for the day we actually got certified.”
Our team’s dedication and shared vision have been instrumental in achieving this certification. As Samir Lahlabat, our Marketing Lead, shared, “I’ve never worked for an impact-driven company before. We always promoted a service or product without considering the impact. But this time is different, and I am very happy to be part of this milestone!”
Our partners and clients have been strong supporters throughout MENA Impact’s journey, and our collaboration has led to significant contributions. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported and trusted us along the way.
The Path Forward: Inspiring Others
Becoming a B Corp is not the end of our journey but a significant milestone along the way. We are deeply proud of this achievement, but we also recognize that there is more work to be done. The B Corp movement is about continuous improvement, and we are committed to inspiring other businesses in the MENA region to join us in this journey.
As B Corp ambassadors in the MENA region, we take our role seriously in fostering the growth of this impactful community.
Our recent certification strengthens our commitment to not only uphold the high standards of environmental and social impact but also to actively promote these values across the region.
We are dedicated to expanding the B Corp movement, guiding organizations through the certification process, and helping them integrate practices that benefit both people and the planet. By growing this movement, we aim to create a ripple effect that drives systemic change, ensuring a more sustainable and equitable future for our region.
Looking Ahead
As we move forward, our commitment to the MENA region and to creating a sustainable future remains unwavering. We are excited to continue pushing boundaries, forging partnerships, and driving the adoption of sustainable practices across the region.
We invite you to join us on this journey.
Together, we can go far.
