Business for Results: Expanding strategic engagements with the private sector for children in Sudan

UNICEF Sudan is committed to creating purposeful partnerships with the private sector and leverage the power of business toward priorities for children, such as healthcare, nutrition, social protection, clean water, and education. Through technical, innovative, and financial collaborations with companies, foundations, and key stakeholders – we can accelerate tangible results for every child, everywhere in Sudan.

In 2022, UNICEF is looking forward to expanding its strategic partnerships with the business sector for children in Sudan.

In September 2021 - building on its child rights and business approach, the mobilization of business expertise in support of innovation, and decades of fundraising from business partners, UNICEF Sudan launched a capacity building initiative, known as 'Business for Results' (B4R). The initiative rollout commenced with two-day intensive training convening senior management and technical staff from both UNICEF and private sector representatives including CTC Group, Dal Group, Zain, MTN, Yagoub Group, Khartoum Impact Hub, 249 Startup.

Companies no matter the size or sector, play a pivotal role in shaping a more fair, equitable, and sustainable world for children and young people. It is not surprising that most Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects for companies in Sudan emphasize on children and young people, however, companies are often still unclear on the overall impact of their business operations and conduct on children, their families, and communities.

Children are key stakeholders of businesses, as consumers, family members or employees, young workers, future employees, and business leaders. They are part of the communities and environments in which companies operate. Through business products and services, supply chain, manufacturing and marketing methods and distribution practices, as well as through their environmental impact and investments in local communities, business leaves a footprint on the lives of children and their families, which can be positive or harmful. Moreover, the business sector as a source of technology and innovation, with its substantial reach, voice and influence should not be overlooked.

The in- person B4R Training was comprised of 10 modules, the B4R curriculum emphasized the significance of including the business sector as an equal stakeholder to achieve results for children in Sudan through shared valued partnerships, Child Rights and Business Principles and Corporate Social Sustainability.

Throughout the B4R workshop, UNICEF Sudan Deputy Representative, Mary Louise Eagleton offered strategic leadership and support throughout all sessions and facilitated a high-level business panel joined by Representatives from CTC Group, United Capital Bank, Haggar Group, Ericcson and University of Khartoum; who shared impactful insights on how to strategically engage with UNICEF, and work to create a win-win partnership.

In line with the recommendations from the workshop, UNICEF is conducting the Impact of Business on Child Rights in Sudan. The purpose of the assessment is to contribute initial understanding of extent to which child rights are recognized in Sudan’s business sector and corporate responsibility practices; determine the role of key stakeholders in this process; and identify how business can amplify their reach for children through core assets. The analysis will be a guide for the UNICEF Sudan Country Office to dive deeper, and steer forward in 2022 the important agenda for expansion of strategic partnerships with the business sector.

“We will need to become increasingly comfortable engaging in different modalities that may not always lead to revenue for UNICEF, but that lead to outcomes for children.

– Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Deputy Director, Partnerships 

For more information, please contact:

Abir Ibrahim - Private Sector Partnerships Specialist, [email protected]

Ruben Vellenga - Head of Partnerships and Resource Mobilization, [email protected]