and hunger , providing universal access to high-quality education and addressing inequities . The COVID-19 pandemic has brought these worldwide challenges to light .
The Institute of Supply Chain Management believes that the SDGs will become the main force between corporate social responsibility and environmental , social and governance work . These goals have started to enforce public-private partnerships and ensure the mobilising of resources and that action is taken to meet the relevant needs in this decade .
In its 2021 annual report , the PPS Foundation highlights the value and impact achieved through “ the power in numbers ” rhetoric . Being in existence for five years now , the public benefit organisation took the learnings from the past two years to forge ties with other organisations that want to make a meaningful difference . The partnerships were linked to two SDGs , namely , SDG 2 : Zero Hunger and SDG 4 : Quality Education , with the primary focus of the PPS Foundation based on the provision of quality education . The PPS Foundation seeks to ensure that through education , the youth of South Africa can become economically independent sooner rather than later .
Corporates and not-for-profit organisations have been driving programmes that enable students to continue with studies , educational institutions to facilitate lectures and recent graduates to transition smoothly from student life to the world of work . Acquainted with the challenges of companies , the PPS Foundation provides several programmes aimed at arming students and young professionals with the necessary skills , tools and mechanisms to help address the critical skills gap . When these resources are made available , young people are empowered .
In 2021 , the PPS Foundation partnered with Rise Against Hunger Africa to increase food security in the student community . The Accredited Resource Consulting Services relationship allowed the PPS Foundation to facilitate and administer external bursary sponsorships .
To equip students and young graduates with the necessary life skills and confidence demanded by the work environment , the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme joined hands to empower more youths through LEAP – short for Learned , Engaged , Accelerated Professionals – Work-Readiness Programme .
A partnership with Reality Wellness was formed to help students cope with stress , loss and grief . In addition to receiving financial support , bursary beneficiaries have been allowed to consult with professional counsellors to help them manage and navigate various stresses and challenges .
Social innovation has paved the way for organisation-toorganisation collaboration . If anything is to go by , the work carried out in the past year is a scratch on the surface and indicative of what can be achieved when organisations join forces .
Read more on the partnerships and the work of the PPS Foundation in the 2021 PPS Foundation Annual Report available
here .
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