The Community Development Authority (CDA) has launched the ‘Volunteerism Awareness and Engagement’ project in alignment with the ‘Year of Community’, aiming to embed the values of civic engagement, inclusion, and public service into every layer of Dubai’s society.
This flagship initiative not only promotes awareness about the volunteering ecosystem, including the rights and responsibilities of volunteers, but also creates diverse platforms for all age groups to contribute, either through direct service or by stepping into leadership roles within the sector.
Key Highlights:
- Over 1 million volunteer hours recorded in 2024, signaling a significant rise in community participation.
- Nearly 59,000 volunteers are registered on CDA’s platform.
- In Q1 2025 alone:
- 18,000 volunteers participated in programs
- 500,000 hours of service rendered
- Estimated economic impact: AED 40 million
- Skilled volunteering is on the rise:
- 500 volunteers contributed 8,000 hours to 100+ specialised projects
New Community Initiatives Introduced:
- First volunteer team of People of Determination, enabling inclusive roles in society.
- Senior Citizens Volunteer Team from the Thukher Club, acknowledging intergenerational wisdom.
- Mothers and Daughters: Visits to hospital patients to foster compassion.
- A Day with Senior Citizens: Promoting intergenerational bonding.
- Agriculture Zones: Connecting students with the elderly in educational gardening.
- Recycling Awareness: Environmental responsibility campaigns.
- Volunteer Leadership Hub: Developing certified volunteer leaders.
- National identity programmes like Sana’a etiquette sessions and storytelling for cultural awareness.
The project stems from a community ideation workshop, which included diverse participants—from government bodies to people of determination—and has produced a roadmap focused on sustainable, impact-driven volunteering opportunities. CDA affirmed that strong public-private partnerships will be central to ensuring these efforts translate into long-term societal benefit.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
