The Kurdistan Foundation’s Director, Dr. Yara Barzanji, served as a member of the upper judging panel of the King Hamad Award for Youth Empowerment to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), followed by a productive visit by the Foundation to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The Kurdistan Foundation delegation participated in the prestigious King Hamad Award Ceremony on February 15, 2026. The event was attended by His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, representative of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, as well as H.E. Rawan bint Najib Tawfiqi, Minister of Youth Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Representing the Kurdistan Foundation, Director Dr. Yara Barzanji joined an upper international jury panel alongside H.E. Dr. Sultan bin Saif AlNeyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs in the UAE, and H.E. Yacine El-Mahdi Oualid, Minister of Agriculture in Algeria, to evaluate applications from young innovators around the world. The ceremony celebrated top applicants across multiple categories, recognizing initiatives that demonstrate creativity, social impact, and contributions toward the SDGs.
In addition to the award ceremony, the Kurdistan Foundation delegation held a meeting with H.E. Rawan bint Najib Tawfiqi at a model youth center facility one of 35 such centers across Bahrain. The discussion focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in youth empowerment initiatives and sharing best practices between Kurdistan and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Participation in this global initiative reflects the Kurdistan Foundation’s commitment to empowering young leaders, fostering cross-border collaboration, and supporting innovative solutions that drive sustainable development. By engaging in platforms like the King Hamad Award, the Foundation continues to highlight the extraordinary potential of youth to enact meaningful change both locally and globally.
