Vitol Foundation

?? Are you passionate about making a real difference in the world? Looking for a new challenge? Are you ready to join a small, dynamic, and enthusiastic team dedicated to driving meaningful change? ?? If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you! We're thrilled to announce three new senior opportunities within our team. All the details are below ?? Portfolio Head: Water, Sanitation & Hygiene - https://smrtr.io/pHGqq? ? Portfolio Head: Early Childhood Care & Education - https://smrtr.io/pHGmg ? Head of Impact, Learning & Strategy - https://smrtr.io/pHGfJ

This week, we had the privilege of joining our partners, the?British Asian Trust, at their annual gala dinner—a truly inspiring evening celebrating their impactful work across South Asia. Now in its 18th year, the British Asian Trust continues to drive meaningful change in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. For over a decade, we’ve proudly supported their initiatives, with a recent focus on their vital mental health advocacy in Pakistan. In Pakistan, an estimated 50 million people face mental health challenges, yet 90% of those in need cannot access treatment. Stigma and lack of awareness often prevent individuals from seeking help. The British Asian Trust has been at the forefront of transforming attitudes and improving support systems. Last year, they launched Pakistan’s first-ever national mental health awareness campaign—a ground-breaking multimedia initiative aimed at reducing stigma, increasing awareness, and helping more people access the care they deserve. The gala dinner brought together an incredible array of guests, including leaders from across the political spectrum, all united in their support for the Trust’s mission. It was a brilliant evening, filled with inspiring stories, shared commitments, and a collective vision for a brighter future in the subcontinent. #MentalHealthAwareness #BritishAsianTrust #SouthAsia

??? ?? In low-and middle-income countries, 95% of wastewater?is discharged untreated into the environment, which poses serious risks to public health and ecosystems. ? Our partner?Safisana is redefining waste management in Ghana, by treating waste as a?valuable resource. Through their innovative?circular business model, they convert untreated waste into?electricity, gas, compost, and irrigation water - delivering both environmental and economic benefits. Here’s how they do it: Safisana collects?organic waste?from various sources, including: ? Faecal sludge from public toilets, septic tanks, and pit latrines ? Organic waste from markets and abattoirs ? Agricultural and food industry waste ? This waste is processed in an?industrial biodigester, which produces?biogas. The biogas is used to generate electricity, which is sold to the national grid under a Power Purchase Agreement. The process doesn’t end there. The?residual waste?from the biodigester is repurposed to create: ? Compost to enrich soils ? Irrigation water for farming ? Seedlings sold to local farmers ? Agricultural products sold in local markets Safisana’s approach is a game-changer, demonstrating how waste can fuel sustainable development. #WasteToResource #CircularEconomy https://lnkd.in/ePMUh_TB

The situation for women in Afghanistan remains deeply complex and challenging. Restrictions on education, employment, and public participation have profoundly impacted Afghan women, limiting their ability to contribute fully to society. Faced with these challenges, we're proud to support the incredible work of Zindagi Now, a certified Afghan NGO and social enterprise that provides education, business and management training, jewellery design and production, and sustainable employment opportunities. ?? In collaboration with internationally renowned jewellery designer?Pippa Small, they are revitalising traditional jewellery-making skills and creating a sustainable business model to connect Afghan artisans with the global market. Recently, 30 women graduated from a six-month training programme. Over the course of the programme, these women gained hands-on experience in jewellery production and design, alongside essential skills in administration, business, and English language proficiency. The focus now is on empowering these women to establish their businesses and actively participate in the local economy, paving the way for a brighter future. #Afghanistan #SocialEnterprise

?? More than 2 million children across Africa struggle to achieve basic math proficiency. While research shows that high-quality, intensive tutoring is one of the most effective ways to improve learning outcomes, access to such support remains out of reach for most children. The private tutoring market continues to grow, but it's simply unaffordable for many families. Recognising this challenge, our innovative partner Rising Academies?developed?Rori, a virtual math tutor that breaks down education barriers. Delivered via WhatsApp - a platform accessible to 90% of West Africans who own mobile phones and live-in areas with 3G coverage -?Rori?is a game-changer in making high-quality tutoring equitable and scalable. On this #InternationalDayofEducation see how Rising Academies are bringing AI-driven learning to students across Africa. #Rori #AIForLearning #Education #Math ?

New leadership is emerging in Syria to lay the groundwork for what is to come. It's a critical moment in the country's history. Since the beginning of the revolution, Syrian women, youth, and civil society have played a crucial role in the fight for peace and democracy. ? ?? Join our partners at the Center for Civil Society and Democracy CCSD?and hear from Collette Bahna, Jihan Al Saeid, and Suaad Aswad as they share insights on the transition in Syria. When: 23rd January 2025 @ 10am ET / 6pm Syria Where: https://lnkd.in/emke8_bn taking place in English and Arabic Register now! #Syria #VoicesForChange #InclusiveTransition

?? Did you know that over 50% of Cambodians lack access to a safe toilet? With nearly 75% of the population living in rural areas, the challenges of accessing clean water and proper sanitation hit these communities the hardest. Our partners iDE (International Development Enterprises) are empowering rural households by developing scalable solutions that make sanitary latrines affordable and accessible. Through training and advising local entrepreneurs, they’re creating a sustainable impact—one household at a time. One of their most innovative solutions? The?Sky Latrine—a game-changer for flood-prone communities in Cambodia. ?? Curious about how this innovation is transforming lives? Learn more about the Sky Latrine and the inspiring work iDE is doing?in rural Cambodia ?? #Sanitation #WASH #Cambodia

As we near the end of the first full week of 2025, we’re reflecting on the incredible work our partners achieved over the past year. One of our standout highlights is the work being done by our partners Shabaka, Gisa Group and Proximity International to support local communities and frontline initiatives in Sudan. ? The humanitarian crisis in Sudan, which escalated following the outbreak of large-scale conflict in April 2023, has reached devastating levels. Today, an estimated 25.6 million people—more than half the population—are in urgent need of assistance. Yet, despite these staggering numbers, the crisis has largely flown under the radar. ? Operating in Sudan is incredibly challenging. Many aid organisations face significant barriers to access, and donor restrictions often hinder direct funding to local groups. However, amidst these challenges, local volunteers, community groups, and individuals have stepped up to deliver assistance where it's needed most. They’ve been the backbone of essential services, delivering food, healthcare, and community support to those most affected. ? For a deeper look into these efforts, The Guardian published an insightful article late last year, highlighting the Emergency Response Rooms and other mutual aid initiatives that are making a difference in this ongoing crisis. https://lnkd.in/eft9geUC ? As we look ahead to 2025, we remain committed to amplifying these efforts and supporting humanitarian crises at a local level. #SCLR #MutualAid #SudanCrisis #CommunityLeadership

When disaster strikes, local community groups are often the first and last responders. That's why we're committed to partnering with these essential organisations who are focused on transferring power, resources, and ownership to local communities. As 2024 draws to a close, we're proud to report that 82% of our humanitarian and emergency funding has supported national, local, and community-led groups. An increase from 71% in 2023. Notabably, 37% of these organisations are led by women, highlighting the vital role of diverse leadership in driving change. Our partners have been on the frontlines, delivering crucial aid to those in need. Their work extends beyond immediate crisis response, as they focus on building a future where communities can meet their own needs and enhance their resilience in the face of growing challenges. #CommunityLeadership #SCLR #Resilience

?? Last Friday, our London Charity Committee hosted their annual Christmas Bonanza. Colleagues donned their most extravagant Christmas jumper, bringing festive joy to the office. Warm clothing was also collected for The Passage, a London homeless charity. The day was filled with a few friendly competitions, all to drive up some rivalry and raise money for local causes. At the Vitol Foundation, we're proud to have 23 global Charity Committees dedicated to making a difference. These teams are crucial in delivering and coordinating our charitable efforts across our Vitol offices worldwide. Each year, they thoughtfully allocate funds to support organisations that truly make a difference in their communities. ?? In 2024, we’ve supported over 215 organisations through our global Charity Committees. #GlobalCharityCommittees #LocalGiving