The Ministry of Community Empowerment has unveiled a comprehensive transformation strategy aimed at redefining the social development framework in the UAE. The announcement was made during a media briefing at the Influencers Hub in Emirates Towers, Dubai, in the presence of H.E. Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Empowerment, along with ministry undersecretaries and media representatives. 

This transformation marks a significant shift from a traditional development model to a sustainable empowerment model. It is inspired by the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan—may his soul rest in peace—who placed people at the heart of development since the establishment of the first Ministry of Social Affairs in 1972. This enduring legacy reinforces the UAE’s position as a global leader in social development. 

“At the Ministry of Community Empowerment, we carry forward the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan—may his soul rest in peace—who taught us that investing in people is the greatest form of wealth and the strongest foundation for national progress. We believe that a cohesive and united society is essential to the UAE’s continued advancement. Our work is guided by an integrated strategic vision centered on empowering individuals, activating the third sector, and fostering the values of shared responsibility and social cohesion.” 

H.E added: "Through comprehensive social support programs and customized empowerment pathways, we seek to improve the quality of life for individuals and families and enable them to become productive contributors to a prosperous future. We are also committed to empowering third-sector institutions to become key partners in achieving national priorities, through a supportive ecosystem that provides the necessary regulatory frameworks and resources to expand their developmental impact. At the core of all these efforts lies a model of shared responsibility." 

“This model strengthens the sense of belonging and nurtures a culture of giving—encouraging everyone to contribute to community cohesion and shared progress. In alignment with the vision of our wise leadership, we are committed to realizing the ‘We the UAE 2031’ agenda—building an inclusive and empowered society that transforms challenges into opportunities and reimagines the future of sustainable development. We draw inspiration from the humanitarian legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who placed humanity at the heart of progress.” 

A Bold Vision to Unleash Community Potential 

The ministry’s strategic vision is built around the concept of the “Empowerment Triangle,” which aims to unlock the potential of individuals, activate the third sector, and strengthen social cohesion. The ministry has set ambitious strategic targets, including empowering 10,000 families by 2030 to achieve financial independence and productivity, and increasing the third sector’s (public benefit associations) contribution to development projects by 50% by 2030. 

The ministry also aims to raise the number of volunteers on the National Volunteer Platform to one million by 2031, and maintain the UAE’s top regional and seventh global ranking on the OECD Social Cohesion Index—demonstrating the nation’s continued commitment to placing people at the heart of development. 

A Human-Centered Approach to Sustainable Development 

The Ministry’s action plan features targeted programs designed to realize its strategic objectives. In the area of individual empowerment, the Social Support Program provides a comprehensive framework of financial and in-kind assistance for low-income families, complemented by continuous follow-up and support. Meanwhile, the “Tamkeen” Program offers structured development pathways for thousands of beneficiaries each year, equipping them with essential skills and facilitating their integration into the labour market. 

The strategy embodies the UAE’s national vision for sustainable development, articulated through nine strategic pillars. These encompass promoting a dignified and sustainable quality of life, empowering individuals toward self-reliance, leveraging data-driven smart solutions, establishing an enabling ecosystem for the third sector, optimizing resource utilization, and enhancing transparency and accountability. The strategy also seeks to instill a culture of giving and foster a cohesive, inclusive society. 

To evaluate the strategy’s impact, the Ministry has adopted a set of key performance indicators. These include the coverage rate of social support, improvements in beneficiaries' annual income, educational outcomes for their children, increased contribution of the third sector to GDP, and strengthened indicators of social cohesion and civic engagement. 

This new strategy serves as a comprehensive national roadmap aligned with the vision of the UAE leadership to build a cohesive, collaborative society that actively contributes to the nation's progress and the sustainability of its achievements. 

Project 971 Generates AED 100 Million in Economic Value 

The “971 from the Community” initiative has generated an economic impact of AED 100 million, supporting approximately 986 families through the promotion of home-based entrepreneurship. The initiative is further strengthened by integrated social research that assesses the economic, social, and psychological needs of beneficiaries—ensuring that support is both targeted and sustainable. 

In the area of third-sector enablement, the Ministry’s unified digital platform facilitates the registration and management of 842 public interest entities, achieving a 50% reduction in bureaucratic processes and accelerating procedures by up to 30 days. Additionally, the National Registry consolidates data from 88% of these entities, reinforcing governance and transparency. 

Social Impact Accelerators provide funding and capacity-building support to hundreds of third-sector institutions annually, enabling them to expand their developmental footprint. In parallel, the National Volunteering Platform has attracted over 630,000 volunteers, with a target of one million by 2031. The donation ecosystem has raised AED 1.5 billion to support national development projects. To further strengthen social bonds, the Ministry organizes dozens of community forums each year and facilitates interfaith harmony by supporting 70 places of worship and three dedicated prayer spaces for non-Muslims. 

Key Milestones and Achievements 

The Ministry of Community Empowerment has recorded several notable milestones across its strategic pillars. These include supporting 3,847 families in transitioning to economic productivity and entering the labor market; unifying data for 88% of public interest organizations; reducing processing times by 30 days; engaging over 630,000 volunteers; and mobilizing AED 1.5 billion in donations to advance community development initiatives. Notably, the UAE ranked first regionally and seventh globally on the Social Cohesion Index—underscoring its leadership in fostering a cohesive and empowered society. 

Strategic Pillars and Objectives 

As part of its vision to foster an empowered society where individuals actively contribute to national development, the Ministry of Community Empowerment has launched an integrated national strategy aimed at enhancing social cohesion, enabling the third sector, and empowering individuals to shape a prosperous and inclusive future for the UAE. This strategy represents a foundational pillar of the national social development framework and is centered on three interconnected strategic objectives: empowering individuals, strengthening the third sector’s impact, and fostering a culture of belonging and generosity. 

Empowering Individuals and Families through an Integrated Support System 

This objective focuses on supporting individuals and families via a comprehensive suite of programs that includes financial assistance, professional training, and entrepreneurship initiatives—ensuring financial independence and improved quality of life. Key initiatives include the Social Support Program, the Economic Empowerment Program, and the Entrepreneurship Program, which offers innovative financing solutions and opportunities to launch small enterprises. 

Enhancing the Efficiency and Impact of the Third Sector 

This objective aims to strengthen the capabilities of third-sector institutions—including charities and public interest organizations—through a fully integrated ecosystem of organizational and operational support. Key initiatives include the Third Sector Institutions Platform, the National Third Sector Registry, and the Social Impact Accelerator, which provides funding and knowledge support to stimulate GDP contribution and generate high-value job opportunities. 

Fostering a Culture of Generosity and Community Belonging 

The third objective promotes social responsibility and inclusivity by nurturing a culture that celebrates diversity and encourages civic participation. Initiatives include the Volunteering Framework, which reinforces volunteering as a core national value; the Donations Ecosystem, which aims to establish a robust regulatory and legislative structure for fundraising and impact monitoring; and Community Forums, which serve to strengthen societal bonds across various segments.