Year of Community and Emirates Foundation Collaboration Boosts Volunteer Participation Nationwide

Under the slogan Hand in Hand, the UAE Year of Community and Emirates Foundation have partnered to expand volunteer opportunities and strengthen civic engagement across the country. Since the start of 2025, the collaboration has contributed to a noticeable rise in volunteer participation, with volunteer hours reaching a financial value of over 124 million dirhams—a 14.7% increase from the previous year, reflecting increased public engagement in community service and social development nationwide, along with its positive economic impact.

Building on the growing interest, Emirates Foundation plans to launch an expanding range of community-focused initiatives, offering individuals meaningful ways to contribute their time and expertise for the benefit of society. These initiatives are designed to align closely with national priorities and the goals of the Year of Community, ensuring a coordinated and impactful approach to volunteering and social development.

Emirates Foundation is a national organisation dedicated to empowering individuals and strengthening communities through volunteering, capacity-building, and social innovation. In support of the UAE’s Year of Community, the Foundation drives initiatives that foster active citizenship and social responsibility.

Key programs include Takatof which provides structured volunteering across sectors; and Sanid, the national emergency response volunteer program, which builds community resilience through crisis preparedness, and manages Volunteers.ae, the national platform that connects everyone who calls the UAE home to meaningful volunteer roles.

Volunteers attest to the transformative power of service. Salem Khaled bin Bishr, a long-time volunteer, shared: “I began volunteering at university events. It ultimately changed my academic path and became a way of life. Volunteering strengthens my communication skills and expands my awareness. It may be a societal duty,  but it also breaks monotony and shifts our perspective on life.”

Volunteers have expressed that modest contributions can often create a lasting impact and change people’s lives. Mohammed Al Balooshi recounted his experience building a school in Nepal: “Seeing children watch their dream of education take shape made me realise how small individual efforts can lead to meaningful impact. The locals at the village greeted us with such joy, it was a moment I will always cherish.”

The Foundation also leads Dawamee, supporting Emirati employment in the private sector through flexible work opportunities. Further, Ne'ma promotes food sustainability by reducing waste and redistributing surplus food, while Active Abu Dhabi encourages physical and mental well-being through community-focused wellness programs.

Together, these initiatives reflect the Foundation’s commitment to enabling impactful community participation and contributing to a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable community.

We call on everyone who calls the UAE home to explore volunteer opportunities, contribute their skills, and help strengthen the nation’s social connections. For more information and to get involved, visit www.volunteers.ae. For updates and opportunities to get involved, visit the official social media pages @UAEYearOf and the official website www.UAEYearOf.ae