His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has launched the UAE Volunteering and Community Engagement Ecosystem, a national initiative designed to expand volunteerism and strengthen the nonprofit sector’s role in sustainable development.
Announced from Qasr Al Watan, the initiative aims to grow the country’s volunteer base to 600,000 and increase the number of nonprofit organizations by 30 percent. It includes a unified digital platform, community project incubators, and a dedicated AED 100 million fund to support public benefit organizations and social enterprises.
Sheikh Mohammed said the initiative seeks to make volunteering simpler and more accessible while embedding the value of giving as part of the UAE’s national identity. He praised the team led by Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed for driving the strategy, noting that the UAE advances through “economy and cooperation, and giving and solidarity.”
Backed by the Education, Human Resources, and Community Development Council, the ecosystem features eight strategic initiatives under the Ministry of Community Empowerment. These include the updated Volunteers.ae 2.0 digital platform, the “7 Over 7” nationwide skill-based volunteering campaign, and the “Your Time Counts” program encouraging federal employees to volunteer.
Other initiatives focus on empowering the nonprofit sector through a One Stop Shop for services, the AED 100 million Empowerment Fund, and leadership programs aimed at preparing the next generation of nonprofit leaders.
The initiative aligns with the Year of Community and aims to position the UAE among the top three countries in the World Giving Index, doubling the nonprofit sector’s GDP contribution and creating 10,000 new jobs within five years.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
