Nadeera, a waste management start-up in the UAE, has received a $100,000 grant from PepsiCo's regional accelerator programme to boost the development of its business.
The start-up was recognised for its Yalla Return circular economy initiative — which is the first trash-for-cash system in the Middle East and North Africa that gives customers cash rewards based on the quantity of recyclables they turn in, PepsiCo said in a statement on Friday.
Nadeera will also receive membership to Food Tech Valley, the Dubai-based centre that develops sustainable farming methods to boost the UAE's food security agenda, inclusion in the Arab Youth Start-up Marketplace and access to partners of the Arab Youth Council.
PepsiCo's first Greenhouse Accelerator Programme for the Mena region was launched in November, and the company teamed up with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Food Tech Valley for the first iteration. It recognises the potential of start-ups in making the F&B sector more sustainable.
“Start-ups have always been known to rise to the challenge, innovate fearlessly and break the mould, particularly in the face of rising global challenges like sustainability," said Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment.
"The initiative aligns with the UAE’s drive to shift towards a circular economy and is another example of how great ideas can come through open innovation and collaboration."
A circular economy is an economic system that focuses on reducing the extraction of natural resources, minimising waste and regenerate natural systems. Raw materials, components and products keep their value for as long as possible, while renewable energy sources are used in a circular economy.
The global waste management market size is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 6.2 per cent and hit almost $1.7 billion by 2030, from an estimated $990bn in 2021, according to Grand View Research.
The UAE has launched several initiatives to support the circular economy.
The UAE's circular economy policy identifies the country’s priorities, which include infrastructure, sustainable transportation, manufacturing, food production and consumption.
Last October, the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy also launched the Circular Economy Committee to bring public and private entities together and develop actionable initiatives to boost current applications and introduce best international practices.
PepsiCo's accelerator programme is also aligned with the objectives of the recently concluded Expo 2020 Dubai, the Cop27 and Cop28 summits and the Saudi Green Initiative, all of which are focusing on promoting sustainability as a critical part of the economy, said Aamer Sheikh, chief executive for the Middle East at PepsiCo.
"This is a great example of how open innovation and collaboration can create value for multiple stakeholders," he said.
Nadeera, which was started in 2020, said the PepsiCo funding and mentorship from its partners would help the company grow its business and "overcome many hurdles".
"From changing consumer mindsets to overcoming challenges related to capital, resources and network, we have a long way to go ... multinational companies, the public sector and start-ups have a lot to gain from each other," the start-up's chief executive and co-founder Rabih El Chaar said.
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It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Stormy seas
Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.
We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice.
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Moonfall
Director: Rolan Emmerich
Stars: Patrick Wilson, Halle Berry
Rating: 3/5
Syria squad
Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Alma, Mahmoud Al Youssef, Ahmad Madania.
Defenders: Ahmad Al Salih, Moayad Ajan, Jehad Al Baour, Omar Midani, Amro Jenyat, Hussein Jwayed, Nadim Sabagh, Abdul Malek Anezan.
Midfielders: Mahmoud Al Mawas, Mohammed Osman, Osama Omari, Tamer Haj Mohamad, Ahmad Ashkar, Youssef Kalfa, Zaher Midani, Khaled Al Mobayed, Fahd Youssef.
Forwards: Omar Khribin, Omar Al Somah, Mardik Mardikian.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
Quercus
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
