The UAE has unveiled a nationwide program to boost volunteer participation and expand the nonprofit sector, with a target of growing the volunteer base to 600,000 people.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, announced the “Volunteering and Community Engagement Ecosystem” on Wednesday, saying it aims to strengthen community service and accelerate sustainable development efforts across the country.
“From Qasr Al Watan, we launched the UAE Volunteering and Community Engagement Ecosystem, a national initiative that includes a comprehensive strategy to grow the country’s volunteer base to 600,000,” he said. He added that the initiative features a unified digital platform and support systems for the nonprofit sector.
Sheikh Mohammed also highlighted the financial backing of the initiative, noting that it will “increase the number of these organisations by 30 per cent, through a single services portal, community project incubators, and a fund worth Dh100 million.”
The UAE leader emphasized that the program seeks to make volunteerism more accessible and deeply rooted in the country’s culture. “The initiative aims to make volunteering easier, strengthen community participation, and embed giving as part of our national identity,” he stated. He further described the UAE as “a country of progress and prosperity, but also of generosity and compassion.”
The strategy includes eight core initiatives under the Ministry of Community Empowerment, divided into efforts to promote volunteering and build nonprofit capabilities. Key components include the updated digital hub Volunteers.ae 2.0, a skill-based volunteer campaign called “7 Over 7,” and “Your Time Counts,” which encourages federal employees to engage in volunteer work, integrated into performance systems.
The plan also features nonprofit support initiatives such as a one-stop digital services platform, a Dh100 million nonprofit empowerment fund, and leadership development programs to prepare future sector leaders.
The rollout coincides with the UAE’s “Year of Community” and aligns with national objectives to strengthen social cohesion and increase nonprofit contributions to national progress. It also targets improving the UAE’s global ranking to the top three in the World Giving Index and achieving 15 million volunteer hours in the coming years, alongside creating 10,000 nonprofit jobs and doubling the sector’s contribution to GDP.
