Humanizing Cities: Nonprofit Sector Takes Center Stage in Saudi Urban Transformation
As Saudi Arabia makes major strides toward achieving its national development goals under Vision 2030, the nonprofit sector is playing a key role in driving the Kingdom’s urban planning and social infrastructure.
Highlighting this momentum, Riyadh is gathering government officials, philanthropic leaders, and real estate innovators for the fifth Nonprofit Sector Future Forum to explore avenues for enhancing quality of life and supporting urban sustainability.
The Future of the Third Sector
Driving the News: The fifth edition of the Nonprofit Sector Future Forum kicked off at the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh on November 2, 2026.
The Big Picture: The forum features opening remarks from Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the ROSHN Foundation Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr on the nonprofit sector’s contribution to urban development and improving the quality of life across local communities.
Why It Matters: The event provides a key platform for boosting collaboration between the public, private, and third sectors to transform social infrastructure and civic spaces into core pillars of sustainable economic growth.
Urban Development in the Spotlight
The Context: Held under the theme “The Role of the Nonprofit Sector in the Urban Landscape,” the forum focuses on highlighting the nonprofit sector’s participation in urban development, promoting integration across sectors and showcasing innovative experiences and initiatives in housing, public spaces, and social infrastructure.
Zoom In: In its fifth edition, the forum features 21 participating organizations, including charitable foundations and development initiatives. These include:
- King Khalid Foundation
- King Abdullah Humanitarian Foundation
- Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk)
- Princess Seetah bint Abdulaziz Prize for Excellence in Social Work
- Sakan Association
- Al Fozan Social Foundation
- Alwaleed Philanthropies
- Sultan bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City
- Council of Nonprofit Organizations
- The Ministry of Justice’s Shaml initiative
What’s on the Agenda
Between the Lines: The Nonprofit Sector Future Forum’s agenda is packed with enriching sessions, including four specialized panel discussions, alongside a roundtable for institutions and organizing partners, an accompanying exhibition, and specialized workshops for exchanging expertise and exploring cooperation opportunities.
Key Sessions:
- “The Nonprofit Contractor: Innovation for Developmental Housing”: Explores innovative housing solutions and strategies to strengthen developmental partnerships.
- “Placemaking: Social Inclusion in Cities and Public Spaces”: Examines how community-driven initiatives help build inclusive urban environments.
- “Towards Robust Social Infrastructure”: Highlights the role of nonprofit partnerships in expanding and enhancing essential community facilities and services.
- “Urbanism for People”: Discusses urban development projects designed to improve quality of life and foster meaningful social connections.
The Third Sector & Vision 2030
State of Play: Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to boost the role of the nonprofit sector as a key economic and social driver, increasing its contribution to GDP from less than 1% to 5%.
The Catalyst: The National Center for Non-Profit Sector (NCNP) is leading this push, enabling nonprofit organizations to operate efficiently and sustainably and increasing their participation in addressing social challenges.
The Deep Dive: The NCNP’s strategy centers around a series of policies designed to bolster growth and empowerment. These include developing the regulatory environment, facilitating licenses, raising the level of governance, empowering national competencies, enhancing transparency and financial sustainability, and promoting strategic partnerships between the nonprofit, government, and private sectors. This, in turn, has driven a surge in the number of volunteers to reach 1.2 million in 2024, surpassing Vision 2030’s target of 1 million.
By the Numbers: (King Khalid Foundation’s Non-profit Sector Outlook Report)
- SAR 100 billion: Saudi Arabia’s nonprofit sector’s economic value in 2025.
- 3%: Saudi nonprofit sector’s contribution to GDP in 2025.
The Bottom Line: The Nonprofit Sector Future Forum in Riyadh positions Saudi Arabia’s nonprofit sector as an equal pillar alongside the public and private sectors in advancing the objectives of Vision 2030.
