PwC Middle East corporate sustainability impact report | July 2024 - June 2025
Our People, Our Purpose: Driving impact together
At PwC, we recognise the power of our people to help shape a stronger, more inclusive future in the communities in which we operate – delivering 259 initiatives and reaching more than 35,000 beneficiaries over the last 12 months. This report captures the progress made and the impact delivered across the region in 2025
Foreword
Corporate sustainability at PwC Middle East is embedded into how we operate as a firm and how we define long-term value. It reflects our understanding that the private sector has an essential role to play in supporting national priorities, strengthening institutions and contributing meaningfully to social and environmental advancement across the region. Sustained progress requires collective effort. When organisations align capabilities, share expertise and commit resources with clarity of purpose, they can strengthen local ecosystems and resources to benefit individuals, community organisations and social enterprises, helping to deliver outcomes that extend well beyond singular initiatives. The corporate sustainability initiatives featured in this report demonstrate that commitment in action. Our people, working across markets and disciplines, bring professional expertise and personal conviction to initiatives that build skills, expand opportunity and reinforce institutional resilience. In doing so, we reaffirm our responsibility not only as advisors to some the region’s leading organisations, but as active contributors to its development.
Our people, our purpose
CS Impact report FY25
Over the past year, our people have translated our sustainability commitments into measurable action across the region. This work reinforces our responsibility to contribute positively to society across the region and it is purpose-led leadership that plays a critical role here. Through our Leaders for Change series, we explore how senior partners across the firm are turning sustainability ambition into measurable outcomes, generating value while enabling inclusive growth. Across the firm, our approach is grounded in participation and a shared sense of ownership. Our people contribute their time, skills and expertise to initiatives that support education, inclusion, community development, and environmental priorities. By encouraging involvement at every level, we create the conditions for ideas to translate into action and for local initiatives to achieve wider impact. This enables our teams to take responsibility for outcomes, collaborate effectively and apply their capabilities where they are most needed. Collectively, we are defined by what we do in practice, guided by shared values, accountability and a commitment to delivering positive outcomes for communities and clients across the region.
Our impact in a snapshot
Purpose begins with our people: Upskilling for tomorrow
PwC Middle East’s corporate sustainability programmes strengthen the link between academia and the professional world, while supporting government priorities around youth empowerment and future skills. Many of our most impactful initiatives are designed and led by our people, shaped by local insight and lived experience, and focused on building practical skills, confidence, and readiness for a changing job market. Some have grown from local beginnings to become regional programmes, while others remain grounded in territory-specific needs. By listening to our beneficiaries and working closely with partners, we aim to create pathways that enable more people to learn, lead and contribute to their communities.
Key regional programmes
ElevateME was launched in Saudi Arabia to support students as they transition from education into the workplace
Learn more
Digital Heroes supports refugees and underserved as they settle into a new country by building practical digital skills aligned to today’s job market
Learn more
Girls Who Excel was created to exclusively support young women in underserved communities by strengthening digital capability and confidence in ways that
Learn more
A more targeted approach to upskilling
PwC Middle East delivers targeted upskilling initiatives for communities in every country in which we operate. These reflect our commitment to inclusion and local relevance, helping more beneficiaries access practical skills that support employability, participation and long-term economic contribution.
Voices from our mentors
I volunteered because giving back is deeply personal to me. Coming from Palestine, I understand how many people lack opportunities to truly shine. Through my upskilling programmes, I saw how consistent support can make a real difference. My mentee on the ElevateME programme stayed committed and completed the project on time despite challenges. The experience strengthened my listening and mentoring skills and reaffirmed my long-term commitment to supporting initiatives that empower others and create meaningful impact.
Volunteering has allowed me to be part of something bigger, supporting and empowering future talent across our region. A standout moment was seeing a participant gain confidence to voice ideas they once hesitated to share. The experience strengthened my coaching and communication skills, and it continues to inspire me to support inclusive, skills-driven growth wherever I can.
Giving back is deeply rewarding. The structured mentorship programme enables maximised learning for mentees, while continuously supporting mentors. The experience has further sharpened my leadership and mentoring skills, as mentee questions often require very different responses and insights. The tangible outcomes and new friendships have inspired me to join the next round of the programme.
During 2025, I delivered workshops for university students as a way to give back and support young talent across Saudi Arabia. I was really inspired by the next generation, their curiosity and ambition as they go through their last mile at the university. The experience strengthened my coaching, storytelling, and mentoring skills while enabling participants to build practical knowledge across a range of areas.
Coming together for our communities
Across the region community needs are shaped by changing economic conditions and the growing need to upskill for a changing future. While skills-based initiatives remain central to PwC Middle East’s sustainability approach, our people also play an active role in supporting communities through presence, care and timely action. Community support provides an important channel for participation, enabling colleagues across the firm to contribute in ways that are locally relevant and culturally grounded. Much of this activity is driven from the ground up. Colleagues across markets bring forward ideas, mobilise networks and work with trusted local partners to deliver support where it is most needed.
Ramadan activities across the region in 2025:
- 56 initiatives
- 661 volunteers
- 1451 volunteer hours
- 18,865 beneficiaries
Ramadan remains a focal point for community engagement across the region. During the holy month, colleagues came together across markets to support families and individuals observing Ramadan through food parcel packing, hot meal distribution and shared iftars. In Saudi Arabia alone we had 18 initiatives this year. Activities were delivered in collaboration with local organisations and focused on labour workers, orphaned children and elderly communities, reinforcing dignity, solidarity and care during a time of reflection and giving.
One Firm Impact day activities across the region:
- 47 initiatives
- 615 volunteers
- 1,502 volunteer hours
- 3,971 beneficiaries
Our One Firm Impact Day in December 2024 created a shared moment for colleagues to step away from day-to-day work and contribute together. Across offices, teams supported community partners through food and hygiene parcel packing, winter clothing distribution and time spent with orphaned children, elderly groups and students of determination. Blood donation drives and creative engagement activities strengthened connection across teams while supporting a wide range of beneficiaries.
Voices from Corporate Sustainability champions
What purpose means to me?
Purpose is about serving something bigger than ourselves; using our expertise, time, and knowledge to make a difference. Giving back is compassion in action: a daily commitment to act with intention and leave a positive legacy through all that we do.
For me, purpose is committing to something I care deeply about. What began as targeted upskilling initiative in Jordan, gradually grew with the demand we saw around us. Seeing confidence grow, opportunities open up for the youth and careers take shape gives real meaning to what we do. It’s a reminder that investing time and knowledge creates impact that extends well beyond any single programme.
I’ve felt a deep sense of purpose in serving others and inspiring those around me to do the same. Over the past decade at PwC, that purpose has shaped who I am as a CS Lead in Kuwait, as a colleague and as a person. Whether through hospital visits, Ramadan food drives or initiatives supporting underprivileged communities, I’m drawn to opportunities where we can make a difference. The smiles, the quiet gratitude, the sense of relief in someone’s eyes – these moments bring a level of fulfilment that everyday work cannot replicate.
To me, giving back means creating meaningful impact; being present, supportive and uplifting the people around me. It’s about choosing kindness through action and leaving a positive mark wherever I go.
I’ve learned that purpose shows up when we put people at the centre of what we do and that giving back means making a difference beyond our own priorities, even when it’s not the easy choice.
Purpose is having a meaningful reason behind what I do – one that creates impact not just for myself, but for others as well. Knowing that my efforts contribute to a positive difference gives me a deeper sense of motivation.
For me, purpose means leaving a positive mark everywhere I go. One of the most meaningful projects was creating model classrooms for individuals with special needs. Another was supporting a nursing home. But the initiative closest to my heart was Plant a Tree for a Greener Iraq. Its goal was to raise awareness among the younger generation and while doing so we planted the seeds of love for nature in their hearts. This has been such an incredible journey and I’m proud to see how small acts of giving can create lasting change.
To me, the purpose of life is deeply rooted in giving back. It is a way to spread positivity and experience joy and fulfilment. By serving others and contributing to the well-being of our communities, we create a ripple effect of kindness and transformation. In doing so, we enrich not only our own lives but the lives of others as well.
Strengthening organisations that deliver impact
Across the region, many organisations play a critical role in delivering social, humanitarian and environmental outcomes, yet often operate with limited resources and constrained access to specialist expertise. Strengthening these entities is essential to achieving impact at scale. PwC Middle East supports this effort by applying its professional capabilities to help organisations build resilience, improve governance and enhance their ability to deliver against their missions.
In 2025, we worked alongside non-profits, social enterprises and community platforms to support organisational effectiveness and long-term sustainability. This work via our SustainIT programme and various pro bono work reflects our focus on capability-building, enabling organisations to operate more effectively and extend their reach within the communities they serve.
Pro bono testimonials
Meet our volunteers
Working on projects that offer humanitarian support strengthened my belief in using technology for good. It was motivating to see how thoughtful systems can empower organisations to reach more people effectively. It also reminded me of the importance of aligning professional work with purpose and social value.
At PwC’s Consulting line of service, we often serve large businesses and optimise the ways that help private sector entities run more efficiently. In a corporate environment, it’s often easy to forget that businesses can have a larger goal to positively impact society. Even when we’re far from that visible impact, doing our job well is still part of the impact puzzle. Working on pro bono projects gives us the chance to reconnect with the firm’s core values.
Outside of work, I’m personally committed to wildlife and marine conservation, so the Dubai Reef pro bono project was a meaningful intersection of passion and profession. Contributing to the early strategic and governance foundations of what is set to become one of the world’s largest reef developments was incredibly rewarding. It was inspiring to help shape the building blocks of an initiative with the potential to deliver lasting impact for marine ecosystems.
Being part of a deeply meaningful pro bono engagement allowed me to use my professional skills in a way that felt personal and purposeful. Connecting entrepreneurs with mentors created a practical, sustainable form of support that continues beyond the life of the project. The experience reinforced the importance of listening first and adapting solutions to real-world needs. It strengthened my belief in how our values come to life when we use our skills to create long-term, meaningful impact.
Pro bono testimonials
Meet our clients
We collaborated with PwC Middle East on a pro bono basis to revamp one of our key outreach programs focused on public awareness and engagement. Their strategic expertise helped us strengthen how we connect with the public, companies, governmental entities and individuals, encouraging meaningful participation and giving back through our conservation efforts. This collaboration played an important role in expanding the reach and impact of our work.
PwC Middle East provided pro bono support to the Crown Prince Foundation to support the development of a national volunteerism impact assessment framework linked to the Nahnu Volunteering Platform. The engagement focused on establishing a structured approach to measuring the long-term socio-economic impact of volunteering initiatives. It has been one of the best pro bono engagements we have worked on that had an immediate impact on the volunteering ecosystem. While additional time and resources will be required to fully implement the tool at a national level, the work completed provides a strong foundation for future use.
Connecting purpose across our network
As our corporate sustainability efforts continue to expand, they are moving beyond standalone initiatives toward a more integrated and coordinated portfolio of programmes, reflecting deeper cross-market collaboration and a more deliberate territory-wide approach. By leveraging the power of our network more intentionally in the year ahead, we can enhance collaboration on flagship programmes even further, creating clearer pathways for successful initiatives to scale across territories. Drawing more actively on the strength of the wider PwC network, including global insights, platforms and partnerships, will help accelerate local progress while promoting greater consistency as programmes grow. Sustaining this momentum depends on strong foundations and empowered people – clear ways of working, shared understanding and allowing teams to act with confidence and deliver with integrity. By investing in their development and enabling leadership at every level, PwC Middle East creates the conditions for partnerships to strengthen, ideas to grow, and local initiatives to deliver impact at scale.
