Enova, the Middle East’s leading energy and facilities management specialist, has contributed to the funding of the first of its kind café, that will be operated and owned by the people of determination in Dubai.

The Hemam café model, by Brands for Social Good enterprise, does not only employ the functional capacity of the determined but they also own shares in the trade license of the branch they operate ensuring economic empowerment and shifting them from the government support to productivity and independence.

Wael M. Barghouti, Co-founder and CEO of Brands for Social Good emphasized the important role that social enterprises can play in achieving social inclusion, economic empowerment and eradicating social and environmental issues, highlighting that the UAE can lead initiatives to twin Arab communities and scale applications of similar nature, leverage research and inter-Arab investments to develop sustainable solutions.

Renaud Capris, CEO of Enova, added: “Our contribution in funding the café is to support the entrepreneurship for people of determination, to develop their entrepreneurship skills and ensure economic empowerment. Following Enova’s values, we endorse such models that look at the functional and productive capacities and strengthen a diverse workforce. This helps in building tolerant and happy communities putting them at the heart of sustainable development.” He further highlighted the importance of supporting entrepreneurship and people of determination to achieve strategic goals of inclusiveness and empowerment.

This first branch –to be launched with Enova’s contribution – willbe operated by four UAE-based people of determination: Mana’, Alaa’, Alia’a, and Mubarak. Each will also receive 20% in the trade license of the first café. Plans are underway to open the first branch and other branches for the people of determination across the UAE.

“We thank Enova for their contribution in funding the café. This confirms the importance of companies and institutions from all sectors contributing to this business model as a sustainable solution for the social inclusion of the determined and promoting their independence and productivity,” said Kahlfan Al-Mazroui, Chairman of Dar Al-Ber Society.

Hemam café model: The café will be serving takeaway specialty coffee and specialty tea. Both specialties have been produced through local affiliation with companies who follow fair trade processes. The café will also be selling merchandising that will be motivational and inspirational.

Dar Al-Ber Society and Brands for Social Good had previously inked an agreement for cooperation to fund the capital required for hemam café as per the country’s regulations. Brands for Social Good is a social enterprise established in Dubai and specialized in studying the characteristics of the vulnerable groups, develop entrepreneurship models and engaging marketing solutions that enable businesses contribute to funding the commercial models while reaching their target audiences with a purpose.

Inclusiveness and Economic Empowerment: “As a charity, we must look at economic dynamics, community behaviors and the socioeconomic challenges following covid-19 pandemic to develop sustainable programs and partnerships that play a key role in empowering the vulnerable”, said Kahlfan Al-Mazroui, Chairman of Dar Al-Ber Society.

Funding: Taste the Brand© is a trademark created and owned by Brands for Social Good to fund social inclusion and economic empowerment projects in compliance with the regulations in the country. Dar Al-Ber Society receives all funding from participating brands while the People of Determination Department at the Ministry of Community development coordinates the efforts to recruit the determined ones.