Dubai to host Arab Hope Makers awards with Dh1 million top humanitarian prize
Regional initiative draws over 15,800 nominations this year
DUBAI – Under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Arab Hope Makers initiative will stage the closing ceremony of its sixth edition on February 15 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.
The event will recognise the Arab world’s most impactful humanitarian contributors. The top winner will receive a Dh1 million award in recognition of exceptional service and community impact. The programme is regarded as the largest humanitarian initiative of its kind in the Arab region.
Organised under the umbrella of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), the sixth edition has recorded 15,802 nominations. With this intake, the total number of participants since the initiative was launched in 2017 has exceeded 335,000. Entries include individuals, volunteer groups and organisations leading non-profit projects aimed at improving lives and addressing community challenges across multiple sectors.
Grand Dubai ceremony
The initiative focuses on highlighting individuals who dedicate their time, effort and resources to serving others without seeking profit. It promotes their stories through traditional and digital media channels to widen recognition and encourage replication of successful models across communities.
The closing ceremony will gather finalists and humanitarian leaders from across the region, highlighting projects focused on social welfare, health, education, culture and economic empowerment. The Dh1 million prize is awarded to the initiative judged to have delivered the most meaningful and measurable humanitarian impact.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum described hope as a driving force behind human progress. In official remarks, he said hope represents determination and the pulse of life, calling it a constant pursuit across time and place. He urged young people across the Arab world to embrace giving and take an active role in building stronger communities.
He called for wider participation in spreading positive change and strengthening confidence in the region’s ability to contribute to civilisation and shape its future. He also noted that every edition of the programme brings forward tens of thousands of stories centred on generosity and service, reflecting a growing competitive spirit in doing good.
Vision of giving
Mohammad Al Gergawi, Secretary General of MBRGI, said the initiative reflects Sheikh Mohammed’s vision of embedding generosity and humanitarian action as core values across the Arab world. He said the programme encourages volunteer and community leaders to confront despair and negativity through practical and innovative projects.
Al Gergawi stated that since 2017, the initiative has evolved into a broad Arab movement promoting a culture of giving. By spotlighting impactful philanthropy and creative humanitarian solutions, it has supported hundreds of thousands of people with the knowledge and confidence to launch and scale community projects. He added that the sixth edition builds on the momentum and outcomes achieved in previous years.
Participation is open to individuals and organisations from the Arab world and beyond, provided their work is voluntary and non-profit. Eligible initiatives include projects, campaigns and programmes that improve living conditions, reduce suffering, enhance social or educational environments, or solve local challenges. Financial gain or commercial benefit disqualifies entries.
Arab Hope Makers
The Hope Makers initiative was first launched in 2017 through a creative social media announcement by Sheikh Mohammed, inviting applications for the role of “Hope Maker” with a Dh1 million reward. The call generated more than 65,000 submissions from across the Arab world, far above the original target of 20,000 entries.
The expansion of the programme also led to the creation of the Dh50 million Hope Makers Academy. The academy functions as an incubator for humanitarian ventures and provides specialised leadership and executive training. It works with international experts and institutions to strengthen project design, management and long-term impact in the humanitarian field.
Previous edition
The fifth edition of the initiative received more than 26,000 nominations within one month. It concluded with the selection of Ahmed Zainoun from Morocco as the top Hope Maker after securing the highest number of votes during the final ceremony. He was recognised for his initiative supporting children diagnosed with Xeroderma Pigmentosum, a rare genetic condition often referred to as “Children of the Moon”.
During that edition, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also directed that the two other finalists receive Dh1 million each. This raised the total prize value for the fifth cycle to Dh3 million, expanding the recognition beyond a single winner and increasing support for multiple humanitarian projects.