Empowering Future Leaders: Strategy& Middle East and 180 Degrees Consulting join forces for social impact in the Middle East

2 minute read

Finding the right talent is one of the most pressing imperatives in today’s world. For early-career professionals, few priorities are more important than building careers that balance profit with purpose. That’s what makes a new collaboration between 180 Degrees Consulting (180DC) and Strategy& Middle East, part of the PwC network, so powerful: it’s an opportunity to provide students with invaluable real-world experience by working with organizations dedicated to driving social impact. With a focus on the GCC region, this collaboration aims to open access for impact-oriented university students in this emerging market. By merging our social impact initiatives with Strategy& Middle East’s extensive regional coverage, know-how, and expertise, we are creating significant opportunities for student empowerment and development.

Strategy& Middle East is assisting our organisation in expanding our presence in the GCC by identifying new university branches with opportunities for students to work with non-profits and social enterprises, as well as supporting our internal development both regionally and globally. This is being realised through the delivery of social impact measurement counsel as well as financial support. 180DC’s most recent Global Leadership Team Summit, held in Sicily in June 2024, was sponsored by Strategy& Middle East and included an impactful workshop on story-telling and impact measurement led by their team. 

As 180DC looks to enter more nascent regions around the world, Strategy& Middle East will be pivotal in expanding the organisation's footprint in the Middle East, which offers significant opportunity for impact. The region boasts an impressive 120 universities across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) alone. With a youth population of just under 9 million, these two markets are pivotal for our organisation and Strategy& Middle East. These countries are nurturing grounds for future leaders now, and into the future. KSA and the UAE boast an impressive $3.2 billion in combined investments into social impact sectors, evidence of the region’s commitment to charitable growth. This collaboration aims to harness local potential, fostering the next generation of social impact leaders in a region ripe with opportunities.     
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This collaboration is intended to push on skill development and workplace readiness for the region’s youth, empower local communities, and maximize the potential of the emerging generation across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.