"Loyak" Concludes the 11th Edition of "Kan" for Social Entrepreneurship
As part of its ongoing efforts to empower youth and develop their leadership and innovative skills, Loyak Foundation announced the conclusion of the 11th edition of the “kun” (Be) Social Entrepreneurship Program, organized in collaboration with Babson College, a globally leading institution in entrepreneurship.
The program was conducted in two sessions: the first ran from June 28 to July 11, and the second from July 19 to August 1. The initiative was sponsored by National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), Zain Kuwait, and Al-Mazoon Stores, and brought together 68 young men and women aspiring to be future entrepreneurs.
Training activities were held at Loyak’s new facility at Aisha School, with the closing ceremony taking place at the Shadi Al-Khalij Theater within the school premises. Participants then moved to The Avenues Mall to present their final projects to the public, showcasing innovative entrepreneurial initiatives aimed at addressing real environmental and community challenges.
Speaking on behalf of Loyak, Programs Director Ninar Al-Qamus said, “When we look back at what happened during the ‘kun’ program this summer, we do not measure success solely by the number of projects or the quality of presentations, but by the personal growth of the participants. The young people who joined the program, initially strangers to one another, formed genuine friendships and business partnerships built on mutual trust. They transformed their concern for their community into purposeful social ventures with tangible impact. These achievements would not have been possible without the support and belief of our partners in our vision for youth in Kuwait.”
On his part, Assistant Vice President of Public Relations and Events at NBK, Yaqoub Al-Baqer, said, “We at the bank are proud of our strategic partnership with Loyak Foundation and the distinctive programs it offers. The ‘kun’ program holds a special place for NBK due to the significant benefits it provides to young people. It contributes to preparing and equipping an entire generation aged 11 to 16 to innovate practical solutions that benefit society, especially given the environmental and community challenges we face. We see all the ideas and projects presented by these young talents as successful and outstanding.”
In a related statement, Hamad Al-Sand, a member of the Community Partnerships and Youth Empowerment Team at Zain Kuwait, said, “The ‘kun’ program reflects the essence of our strategic partnership with Loyak, now in its 23rd year, and our shared belief in the importance of providing young people with practical experiences that help them discover their potential and turn their ideas into solutions that serve society. We have noticed a distinctive level of awareness, ambition, innovation, and teamwork in the projects of this edition, which reinforces our confidence that investing in these talents today contributes to preparing a generation more ready to lead Kuwait’s future and participate in building a knowledge- and creativity-based economy.”
Saud Al-Salimi, Head of Marketing and Public Relations at Al-Mazoon Stores, said, “We at Al-Mazoon Stores are proud to support the ‘kun’ program for the eleventh consecutive year, driven by our conviction that investing in youth is an investment in Kuwait’s future. This program exemplifies a distinctive model in empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs by equipping them with practical skills, fostering a spirit of innovation, and encouraging them to develop solutions that help address community and environmental challenges.”
He added, “This year, we observed a remarkable level of creativity and commitment in the submitted projects, reflecting the vast potential of Kuwaiti youth when provided with a supportive environment and appropriate guidance. We value our partnership with Loyak Foundation and look forward to continuing our support for initiatives that contribute to preparing a generation capable of contributing to sustainable development and building a more innovative economy.”
For his part, participant Hamad Al-Mutawa said: “Participating in this program was truly a rich experience. I learned new skills, gained greater self-confidence, and had the opportunity to meet wonderful people. The supportive environment and continuous guidance made every step enjoyable and helped me grow both personally and academically.”
For her part, participant Sana Al-Qutami said: “My experience was both challenging and rewarding. I had the opportunity to learn new skills and work on real projects, which made me more patient and independent, thereby enhancing my problem-solving abilities and boosting my self-confidence.”
For her part, parent Noura Al-Mutawa said: “My son’s experience in the program was more than excellent. In a short period, I witnessed clear improvements in his self-confidence, his way of communicating with others, and his ability to work as part of a team. He would come home enthusiastically talking about what he had learned. I thank the program organizers for their professionalism and recommend every parent to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity for their children.”
