Environment: 200 new associations to be established in 2025 to strengthen the non-profit sector
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has achieved an unprecedented milestone in developing the non-profit sector in the Kingdom, announcing the establishment of more than 200 new organizations during 2025 alone. This announcement coincides with a strategic workshop launched by the Ministry in the Eastern Province, aimed at reshaping the roadmap for civil society work by directing new establishments towards specialized and high-quality entities, thus ensuring financial sustainability and maximizing the developmental impact of environmental projects.
The context of Vision 2030 and empowering the third sector
This rapid growth cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader context of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , which has given exceptional attention to the non-profit sector (the third sector), aiming to increase its contribution to the GDP to 5% and reach one million volunteers. The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture plays a key role in this endeavor, striving to transform environmental work from scattered individual initiatives into organized, institutional efforts that contribute to protecting vegetation and ensuring the sustainability of water resources. This explains the significant surge in the number of licensed associations.
Record numbers and indicators of community awareness
During a workshop organized by the General Directorate of Non-Profit Sector Organizations in cooperation with the Ministry's Eastern Province branch, entitled "Establishing Civil Associations and Institutions in the Fields of Environment, Water, and Agriculture," the Director of the Establishment Department, Lujain Al-Fallah, presented statistics reflecting the growing societal awareness. 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 is a strong indicator of the accelerating pace of community participation, noting that the current challenge lies in capitalizing on this momentum and directing it towards specialized fields that serve national priorities.
From Quantity to Quality: A Strategy for Qualitative Establishment
As part of this strategic shift, Dr. Ramzi Al-Saqri, Director General of the General Department of Non-Profit Sector Organizations, emphasized the need to move beyond repetition and traditional practices. He explained that the Ministry adopts a methodology of "actual needs analysis" before granting licenses, encouraging the establishment of high-quality entities that address genuine gaps in the environment, water, and agriculture sectors. This methodology aims to ensure the sustainability of associations and their ability to provide innovative solutions, rather than simply replicating traditional activities that may deplete resources without tangible impact.
Expected impact and Saudi Green Initiative
This movement gains added significance when viewed through the lens of the Saudi Green Initiative . Specialized environmental associations will play a pivotal role in implementing the initiative's objectives, whether through tree-planting campaigns, water conservation awareness programs, or support for organic farming. This expansion is expected to create new job opportunities and strengthen the partnership between the government sector and civil society, positively impacting the quality of life and the overall environment in the Kingdom.
Eastern Province: A fertile environment for initiatives
The Ministry's branch in the Eastern Province affirmed its complete readiness to embrace this new 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, noting that the Eastern Province possesses environmental and geographical advantages that make it fertile ground for innovative initiatives. The workshop, which saw wide participation from the National Center for Non-Profit Sector Development and the Associations Support Fund, concluded with an emphasis on moving forward in building a sustainable non-profit sector that aligns with the leadership's aspirations and achieves comprehensive development.
