Strategic partnership with KAFO delivers innovative solutions to tackle fabric waste
KUWAIT: Zain Kuwait and the KAFO platform announced the conclusion of the Sustainability Challenge, held under their strategic partnership that places sustainability at the heart of youth empowerment, with the participation of a number of young teams that presented innovative solutions to address fabric waste challenges. The initiative concluded with a pitching event hosted by Abdullah Al Salem University, which resulted in three winning projects that represent promising success stories in sustainability and reducing fabric waste.
The honoring ceremony was attended by Director General of the Sabah Al Salem Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah Foundation, Sheikha Mariam Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem, Zain Kuwait Youth Empowerment and Community Partnerships Specialist, Faisal Al-Duwaihes, KAFO CEO, Dr Fatemah Al-Mousawi, and officials from the Youth Public Authority. The initiative aimed to expand the impact of sustainability programs and empower young national talent. It also sought to translate Zain’s social responsibility commitments into practical, impact-driven programs that support the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to responsible consumption and production, climate action, education and partnerships.
One of the winning teams is honored.
The Sustainability Challenge to Reduce Fabric Waste targeted youth in Kuwait, encouraging them to develop sustainable solutions to reduce textile waste through three main tracks: startup ideas, community initiatives and awareness and advocacy content. The challenge featured the participation of 12 youth teams in a comprehensive program that included eight different touchpoints: an orientation session, three awareness sessions, three training and mentoring workshops and a final pitch day. Throughout this journey, participants developed skills in problem framing, idea validation, building prototypes, delivering impactful presentations and creating content for social impact.
Events were held across several key locations, including the Zain Innovation Campus (ZINC) at the company’s main HQ in Shuwaikh, Abdullah Al Salem University and partner locations. This reflected an integrated collaboration model between the public and private sectors as well as educational and community institutions. With the conclusion of the Sustainability Challenge, a new chapter begins for the winning teams, as work is now underway to support the implementation of their projects. All winners will also join the KAFO members’ network and benefit from access to a shared workspace, as well as ongoing mentorship and development opportunities, enabling them to expand their initiatives and turn their ideas into practical, impactful solutions on the ground.
The challenge comes as an extension of the sustainability track through which Zain and KAFO collaborate to launch a series of specialized initiatives and events during the 2025 and 2026 season. These include, alongside the Sustainability Challenge, the “AI for Impact: Purposeful Guidance” forum, the “Ramadan Without Waste” campaign, and the “Green Hackathon,” all designed to spark creativity among youth and generate practical solutions to pressing environmental and social challenges. Through these partnerships, Zain continues to cement its vision of building a sustainable economy and a more inclusive digital society by investing in innovation and empowering young talents, while adopting initiatives that reduce carbon footprint, enhance resource efficiency and activate circular economy principles.
KAFO is a national, non-profit platform that showcases, connects, and empowers achievers, creatives, and change-makers in Kuwait and the GCC. It designs meaningful opportunities that inspire collaboration, build leadership, and promote social innovation, while providing tools for impact measurement and building development pathways and capabilities for youth and partner organizations.
