Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has launched the 'Volunteering and Community Engagement Ecosystem' aimed at reinforcing the impact of volunteering and supporting the growth of nonprofit organizations across the United Arab Emirates.
According to Emirates News Agency, the initiative, unveiled at Qasr Al Watan, encompasses a comprehensive strategy to expand the UAE's volunteer base to 600,000 individuals. It also introduces a unified digital platform to support the third sector and public benefit organizations, with the aim of increasing these organizations by 30 percent through a single services portal, community project incubators, and a fund worth AED 100 million.
Sheikh Mohammed stated that the initiative seeks to simplify volunteering, enhance community participation, and embed the culture of giving as an integral part of the national identity. He expressed gratitude to the team led by Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed for their dedication to the strategy's delivery. The initiative is supported by the Education, Human Resources, and Community Development Council, which plays a crucial role in coordinating national efforts and advancing social capital development.
The Volunteering and Community Engagement Ecosystem includes eight strategic initiatives under the Ministry of Community Empowerment, implemented through two integrated tracks to promote volunteerism and empower nonprofit organizations. The launch aligns with the Year of Community and national directives to enhance social cohesion and expand volunteer work.
The strategic package includes the National Volunteering Strategy, which provides a framework to establish volunteering as a community value, and the launch of Volunteers.ae 2.0, a digital hub for volunteering. Other initiatives include '7 Over 7', promoting skill-based volunteering, and 'Your Time Counts', which embeds volunteering within the federal government sector.
The Ministry will collaborate with the Emirates Foundation, local government entities, nonprofit organizations, and private sector partners to ensure the successful implementation of the strategy. The package also includes programs like the One Stop Shop, the 100M AED Empowerment Fund, the Nonprofit Sector Launchpad, and the Plug-in for Leadership Programs, all designed to empower the nonprofit sector.
These initiatives aim to elevate the UAE's global standing in giving, expand volunteer participation, and create a sustainable system for future generations. They target significant advances in volunteering and the nonprofit sector over the next five years, aspiring to elevate the UAE's ranking in the World Giving Index, expand the volunteer base, and significantly increase the sector's contribution to the national GDP.