Dubai unveils new initiative to promote volunteerism across all communities
Volunteer hours in the emirate crossed one million mark in 2024
DUBAI: In a major push to deepen civic participation, the Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai has unveiled the ‘Volunteerism Awareness and Engagement’ project.
The initiative is designed to foster a culture of giving across all demographics and embed volunteering into the social fabric of the emirate, in alignment with the ‘Year of Community’ vision.
The programme aims to enhance public understanding of the role and impact of volunteerism while equipping residents of all ages to become proactive contributors to Dubai’s growth.
It outlines the ecosystem surrounding volunteer efforts and highlights the rights, responsibilities, and leadership potential of volunteers.
تزامناً مع "عام المجتمع"
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 20, 2025
"هيئة تنمية المجتمع" في دبي تطلق مشروعاً رائداً لتعزيز نشر ثقافة التطوع والعمل المجتمعي في دبي
2024
أكثر من مليون ساعة تطوعية من أجل دبي
الربع الأول - 2025
18 ألف متطوع
500 ألف ساعة تطوعية
+59 ألف متطوع
عدد المتطوعين المسجلين في الهيئة… pic.twitter.com/bnaF1Ffhqa
Surge in volunteer hours
Dubai’s strong volunteer culture has resulted in a record-breaking milestone — more than one million hours of volunteer work were recorded across 2024. This surge reflects growing civic awareness and institutional collaboration in the emirate.
Data from CDA’s Volunteerism Department show that nearly 59,000 volunteers are currently registered on its platform. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, over 18,000 individuals took part in volunteering programmes, clocking in more than 500,000 hours. This effort is estimated to have contributed Dh40 million in economic value.
Skilled volunteering also saw an uptick, with 500 individuals delivering 8,000 hours of expert services through more than 100 specialised opportunities.
Community-led initiatives
To harness collective insight, CDA hosted a collaborative ideation workshop involving volunteer teams, charities, senior citizens, government entities, and people of determination. The session led to several new inclusive initiatives rooted in empathy and social impact.
Among the highlights was the launch of Dubai’s first volunteer teams composed of senior citizens and individuals with determination. Members of the Thukher Club formed the senior citizens’ team, while a dedicated group of empowered individuals with determination joined efforts to shape inclusive community service.
A number of additional community programmes were introduced, including:
- Mothers and Daughters – supporting hospital patients through compassionate visits
- A Day with Senior Citizens – enhancing intergenerational connections
- Agriculture Zones – engaging students and elders in educational gardening
- Recycling awareness drives – promoting sustainability
- Volunteer Leadership Hub – training certified community leaders
- National identity initiatives – delivering storytelling and cultural etiquette sessions
Strategic implementation
CDA underscored that these efforts mark a strategic evolution in how volunteerism is positioned in Dubai. The authority plans to roll out these programmes through a structured roadmap supported by strong cross-sectoral partnerships, ensuring both long-term sustainability and measurable social impact across the city.