Al-Watani Continues Support for 'Kan' Entrepreneurship in Partnership with 'LOYAK'

In line with its corporate social responsibility strategy and commitment to empowering youth and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship, Yaqoub Al-Baqer: The “Kan” Program Embodies Our Vision with “Loyaq” in Empowering Youth Investing in Youth and Unleashing Their Potential: The Path to Preparing Future Leaders Workshops and Mentoring Sessions Equip Participants with Practical Skills

As part of its strategic partnership with the Loyaq Foundation, Kuwait National Bank continues to support and sponsor the “Kan” Social Entrepreneurship Program, which aims to develop the entrepreneurial and leadership skills of young people and enhance their ability to transform innovative ideas into projects and initiatives that create a positive and sustainable impact on society.

This year, the “Kan” Program celebrates its 11th anniversary, continuing its success in empowering successive generations of young men and women and strengthening the culture of social entrepreneurship among them. Over the past years, the program has entrenched the concept of community entrepreneurship as an effective tool for addressing social and environmental challenges through innovation, teamwork, and creative thinking.

The program is the result of collaboration between the Loyaq Foundation and Babson College in Boston, USA, ranked first globally in business education. It combines the latest global curricula in entrepreneurial thinking with practical application, providing participants with a comprehensive educational experience that helps them build a leadership mindset capable of turning challenges into promising opportunities.

Entrepreneurship Fundamentals

The program targets participants aged 11 to 16, offering them a unique opportunity to learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and project management, alongside developing critical thinking, communication, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Participants also engage with pressing social and environmental issues, working within specialized teams to develop innovative solutions and practical projects that address community needs.

The program includes a series of interactive workshops, training sessions, field visits, and mentoring sessions delivered by experts, entrepreneurs, and specialists from various sectors. Participants develop their project ideas, conduct preliminary market research, identify target audiences, and ultimately present final pitches to specialized panels that evaluate the projects and select the most distinctive and impactful ideas.

Enriching the Educational Experience

In the context of its ongoing support for the program, Kuwait National Bank strives to contribute to enriching participants’ educational experience by organizing a series of mentoring sessions and interactive workshops delivered by several of its employees and experts from various disciplines.

These sessions aim to familiarize participants with the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and project planning, while developing leadership, teamwork, and effective communication skills. They also support participants in developing innovative ideas that address community needs and contribute to tackling social and environmental challenges.

Furthermore, these workshops bridge theory and practical application by enabling young people to benefit from the professional expertise and real-world experiences of the Bank’s staff. This enhances their understanding of the requirements for building successful and viable projects, encourages them to adopt innovative thinking, and inspires them to find practical solutions to the challenges facing their communities. This aligns with the primary objectives of the “Kan” program, which seeks to prepare a conscious generation capable of leading positive change and shaping a more sustainable future.

Investing in Kuwaiti Youth

On this occasion, Assistant Vice President of Public Relations and Events Management, Yaqoub Al-Baqer, stated: “We are pleased to continue our collaboration with the Loyak Foundation and support the ‘Kan’ program, which embodies our shared vision regarding the importance of investing in Kuwaiti youth and developing their capabilities for innovation and driving change. We firmly believe that investing in young people’s potential and unleashing their creative energies contributes to preparing a generation of leaders and entrepreneurs capable of devising high-quality solutions to societal and environmental challenges.”

Al-Baqer added: “Our participation in the mentoring sessions reflects our steadfast commitment to supporting youth and transferring knowledge and expertise to them, enabling them to develop their ideas and enhance their ability to create a positive and sustainable impact in their communities. These initiatives also reflect the culture of volunteering and giving that the Bank strives to instill among its employees, as an integral part of its developmental role toward society.”

Al-Baqer emphasized that youth represent a fundamental pillar of Kuwait’s future, noting the Bank’s keenness to support high-impact initiatives that help hone their skills and broaden their knowledge horizons. This aligns with the Bank’s vision for sustainable development and the objectives of Kuwait Vision 2035.

On another note, the National Bank of Kuwait’s support for the program aligns with the mission embraced by the Loyak Foundation since its establishment, which focuses on empowering youth and unleashing their creative energies through education, training, volunteering, and capacity building. The Foundation is known for its pioneering role in preparing young people for active participation in community development and strengthening the values of responsibility and leadership.

Social Responsibility and Sustainability

National Bank of Kuwait’s support for the “Kan” program is part of its comprehensive corporate social responsibility and sustainability strategy, which focuses on supporting education and training, developing national competencies, and fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, alongside building long-term partnerships with leading voluntary and non-profit institutions to achieve sustainable developmental impact that benefits society and future generations.

Over the past years, the partnership between National Bank of Kuwait and the LYRAK Foundation has yielded numerous targeted initiatives and programs that have contributed to enhancing participants’ capabilities and equipping them with valuable practical and knowledge-based experiences, thereby strengthening their role in supporting the development journey and building a more sustainable and prosperous society, while reflecting the Bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting initiatives with long-term positive impact.