The UAE launched a major national volunteering strategy aiming to grow volunteer base to 600,000 and support nonprofits.
ABU DHABI: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has launched the “Volunteering and Community Engagement Ecosystem”, a landmark national initiative to elevate the culture of giving and support the UAE’s nonprofit sector. The announcement was made from Qasr Al Watan and is aligned with the Year of Community and the nation’s long-term sustainable development goals.
The strategy targets a dramatic increase in the volunteer base to 600,000 people, the launch of a single services platform for volunteering, and the creation of a AED 100 million Empowerment Fund to boost nonprofit contributions. It also aims to increase the number of nonprofit organisations by 30% and embed volunteerism within both society and the federal workforce.
At the core of the ecosystem are eight strategic initiatives led by the Ministry of Community Empowerment, focusing on two main tracks: fostering a volunteer culture and empowering the third sector. Among the flagship programmes are Volunteers.ae 2.0, a digital hub for matchmaking skills with opportunities; “7 Over 7”, a campaign promoting skill-based volunteering across all Emirates; and “Your Time Counts”, a government-focused scheme linking volunteering to civil service performance.
Other programmes include the Nonprofit Sector Launchpad and the One Stop Shop platform for streamlining nonprofit registration and operations. The “Plug-in for Leadership” track will also develop future leaders with deep understanding of nonprofit impact.
Supported by the Education, Human Resources, and Community Development Council, the initiative is a joint effort between federal entities, local governments, Emirates Foundation, private partners, and the wider community. It aims to contribute 15 million volunteer hours annually, create 10,000 nonprofit jobs, and raise the sector’s GDP share—positioning the UAE among the top three nations globally on the World Giving Index.
