Bridge 5: Strengthening Cross-Sector Collaboration

Partnerships
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Bridge 5
Bridge 51200×630 50 KB

Join this online written discussion to exchange perspectives, examples, and experiences on how to strengthen cross-sector collaboration.

LIVE 16 July 10am GMT+1 [ADD TO CALENDAR] and 3pm GMT + 1 [ADD TO CALENDAR]

Background

The world is at a critical turning point. With the 2030 deadline for the Global Goals fast approaching, there is a growing urgency to surface bold ideas, practical examples, and collective action that can accelerate progress. As part of our journey towards the Global Goals Summit in September, we are launching a series of community sessions. The community session will take place in the morning and afternoon on the 21st of May and on the 16th of July, followed by a final reflective session during the Global Goals Summit.

Tackling complex global challenges requires businesses to collaborate across industries, with policymakers, and with civil society. This bridge enables companies to maximise their impact on the issues most material to their operations while leveraging the expertise, resources, and networks of others, ensuring collective action drives systemic change beyond what any one organisation can achieve alone.

These sessions will be online via Zoom, but also hybrid in selected locations (e.g. Nairobi, Lagos, Brazil, TBC). They will combine written contributions, real-time discussion, and community-led insights.

Read more on Five Bridges themes from the Business Fights Poverty framework.

Panel

VIEW Full List of Named Contributors

Questions

  1. What’s a powerful example of cross-sector collaboration you’ve been part of or witnessed—and what made it work?
  2. What do you think holds companies back from deeper, more meaningful collaboration with other businesses, foundations, civil society or government?
  3. How can partnerships move beyond short-term projects to create long-term systemic change?

How to add your comments

If you are already a member of the Business Fights Poverty online community, login here and then return to this page and click “Log In” at the top right of this page - if you are logged in correctly, you will not need to enter your details again. If you have not logged into our new community platform, you will have to reset your password here.

If you are not already a member of the Business Fights Poverty online community, you will need to sign up here . Once you have joined the community, you can return to this discussion page and click “Log In” at the top right of the page.

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Dear Members of the Poverty Alleviation Forum,

Warm greetings to you all,

It is with great pleasure that I extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for your participation in this vital forum, which serves as a key platform for exchanging ideas and working together to confront one of the most pressing challenges in our region—poverty.

My name is Abdulwahab Mohammed, General Director of the Middle East Forum for Development and Peacebuilding, and Head of the Youth Situation Chapter in Yemen. I am honored to be among you today to contribute to this collective effort toward building a more just and dignified future for all.

Yemen is currently facing a complex humanitarian crisis as a result of years of conflict and war, with youth bearing the brunt of its consequences. The war has led to the deterioration of education and employment opportunities, widespread unemployment, and economic and social instability—all of which have deepened poverty levels among young people and deprived them of their basic right to a decent life.

There is an urgent need for a systematic shift in how we address this issue, by adopting effective programs for economic empowerment, enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem, enabling youth access to resources, building their skills, and creating real opportunities for them to contribute to development.

In this regard, I would like to propose the following key recommendations:

  1. Launch vocational and entrepreneurial training programs tailored to local market needs and capable of providing sustainable job opportunities.

  2. Provide financial incentives and promote partnerships with the private sector to support youth-led small and medium enterprises.

  3. Support social and technological innovation as a means of addressing community challenges through youth-driven solutions.

  4. Enhance access to finance through simplified mechanisms and crowdfunding platforms.

  5. Engage youth in decision-making processes related to economic and development policies in the country.

I truly believe this forum offers a valuable opportunity to build a strong support network and exchange best practices across sectors in order to chart a clear roadmap for combating poverty and empowering future generations.

I welcome your feedback and ideas and look forward to productive dialogue and meaningful collaboration.

With sincere regards,
Abdulwahab Mohammed
General Director, Middle East Forum for Development and Peacebuilding
Head of the Youth Situation Chapter – Yemen

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‘There is a greater need for strong, mutually beneficial partnerships among stakeholders, including government entities, the private sector, foundations, development partners, and local communities. Such collaborations are essential for enhancing resource leverage and ensuring that benefits are effectively shared. This can help achieve long-term systemic change and create sustainable, equitable impacts, as we all envision for the future’ .

I look forward to sharing and learning about best practices while exploring more effective partnership models in future engagements