Ministry of Environment: Establishing 200 new associations to promote the non-profit sector by 2025
In a move reflecting the accelerating pace of sustainable development in Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture announced a record-breaking achievement in the growth of the non-profit sector, with the establishment of more than 200 new organizations in 2025 alone. This announcement coincided with the launch of a strategic workshop in the Eastern Province, aimed at redirecting the focus of civil society work towards specialized and high-quality entities to ensure maximum developmental impact.
National context and ambitious vision
This movement is not isolated from the Kingdom's major strategic directions, as empowering the non-profit sector is a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to increase this sector's contribution to the GDP to 5% and reach one million volunteers. The environmental and agricultural sector is a cornerstone of this vision, especially with the launch of major national initiatives such as the "Saudi Green Initiative," which requires concerted governmental and societal efforts to achieve its goals of afforestation, protecting vegetation cover, and ensuring the sustainability of water resources.
The language of numbers: rapid growth and societal awareness
During a workshop organized by the General Directorate of Non-Profit Sector Organizations in cooperation with the Ministry's Eastern Province branch, the Director of the Establishment Department, Lujain Al-Fallah, reviewed performance indicators showing that the total number of non-profit organizations affiliated with the Ministry exceeded 565 by the end of November 2025. Al-Fallah emphasized that the registration of 200 organizations in a single year reflects a growing public awareness of the importance of institutional work, noting that the Ministry is currently working to capitalize on this momentum and direct it towards specialized fields that serve pressing national priorities.
From Quantity to Quality: A Strategy for Qualitative Establishment
The Director General of the General Administration for Non-Profit Sector Organizations, Dr. Al-Ramdhi Al-Saqri, opened the workshop by outlining a roadmap for the next phase, based on the principle of "analyzing actual needs" before establishment. Al-Saqri emphasized the necessity of moving beyond repetitive and traditional approaches to establishing associations, and instead focusing on creating high-quality entities that address genuine gaps in the environment and water sectors, ensuring their financial and administrative sustainability. He affirmed that the Ministry provides full support in governance aspects and in developing business models to prevent failure.
Eastern Province: A fertile environment for initiatives
In the same vein, the Ministry's branch in the Eastern Province affirmed its readiness to embrace this approach. Fatima Al-Shayab, Director of the Non-Profit Sector in the region, explained that the branch is dedicating all its resources to supporting young entrepreneurs, considering the shift towards "qualitative establishment" essential for providing complementary services to the government sector. The Eastern Province is distinguished by its environmental, agricultural, and industrial assets, making it fertile ground for innovative initiatives that combine environmental protection with economic development.
Expected impact and strategic partnerships
The workshop saw broad participation from supporting entities, including the National Center for Non-Profit Sector Development, the Associations Support Fund, and the National Center for Organic Agriculture. This expansion of specialized organizations is expected to create new job opportunities, enhance community oversight of the environment, improve water efficiency, and support small farmers, directly contributing to a better quality of life and achieving food and water security in the Kingdom.
