Mays Ibrahim (DUBAI)
The Federal Youth Authority (FYA) is preparing to launch an artificial intelligence-powered digital platform to connect young people with tailored opportunities in education, entrepreneurship and personal development.
Called Bani, meaning “builder” in Arabic, the platform will open registration in the first quarter of 2027, Khalid Mohammed Alnuaimi, Director of the Federal Youth Authority, told Aletihad in an exclusive interview.
The launch — which follows a pilot involving more than 2,000 young people — forms part of the authority’s wider effort to better respond to the ambitions and needs of the country's next generation.
The platform is designed to act as a central hub for youth opportunities in the UAE, using AI to personalise recommendations according to individual interests and development needs.
“We're trying to create a space where youth and opportunities are met,” Alnuaimi said.
Bani, he explained, will connect young people with programmes covering areas such as technology, sustainability, and entrepreneurship alongside sports and well-being activities, as well as volunteering opportunities.
The platform will also incorporate a rewards system, allowing participants to earn points as they engage with different activities and initiatives.
A National Talent Map in the Works
Alnuaimi revealed that the authority is working to establish a national database that will map young people's talents, skills and ambitions to inform national projects, employment opportunities and scholarships.
“What does youth talent look like in the UAE? What are their ambitions? What are their challenges and what are their skills?” are some of the questions the FYA aims to answer through this database, he explained.
One of the initiatives contributing to this effort is the Youth Leadership Path, which targets young people aged 13 to 18.
The authority has received more than 2,000 applications and plans to select 40 participants in December following a three-month process involving digital learning, assessments and leadership challenges.
The selection process is expected to run every six months to build a comprehensive picture of youth capabilities across the country.
‘From Protection to Empowerment’
The initiative reflects a broader shift in the authority’s approach to youth development, aimed at ensuring they take on an active role in shaping the country’s future.
“We have moved from protection of youth into empowerment of youth in the UAE,” Alnuaimi said.
“Our leadership looks at youth as the true value of the nation; we talk about youth as partners in national development.”
The shift is reflected in the National Youth Agenda, setting five priorities through 2031: economic contribution, preserving culture and heritage, developing youth role models, building future skills, and supporting well-being.
Alnuaimi said the agenda was shaped through direct engagement with young people across the UAE, during school visits, discussions with parents, and input from relevant institutions.
The authority has also prioritised creating channels that give young people a voice in discussions and decision-making across government and other institutions.
Over the past decade, the FYA has established more than 540 youth councils across the UAE, with over 4,200 members, alongside more than 500 youth circles designed to bring young people together with decision-makers to develop solutions to challenges across different sectors.
More than 300 ideas emerging from these discussions have been implemented, according to Alnuaimi.
Government organisations with boards of directors are also required to include at least one youth member, who has the same rights and responsibilities as other board members.
The authority has extended this approach beyond the UAE through global youth councils in eight countries, including the US, France, China, South Korea, and Japan.
These councils gather Emirati students and employees abroad, who develop their own initiatives while contributing to programmes guided by the authority’s wider strategy.
The UAE’s international youth participation also extends to the United Nations, with more than 30 young people taking part in the FYA’s Youth Delegate Programme over the past 10 years.
A Third of Young Emiratis are Entrepreneurs
The authority’s direct engagement with young people has given it insights into career aspirations, marked by a growing interest in entrepreneurship, greater willingness to move between jobs, and an increasing shift towards private-sector employment.
“We found that one in three young Emiratis between the ages of 18 and 35 has started or owns a business,” Alnuaimi said. “Young people want to have the agency to forge their own path.”
To support this trend, the authority has developed initiatives aimed at helping young entrepreneurs establish and expand their businesses.
Its Done by Youth label recognises Emirati-owned businesses established by entrepreneurs under 35 that have operated for at least a year and are generating revenue.
The label also connects businesses with incubators and government procurement channels to support their growth.
Meanwhile, the Youth Launchpad provides young businesses with access to high-footfall commercial locations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and other emirates.
Another priority is preparing young people for a rapidly changing labour market amid the emergence of new technologies.
In July, the authority launched the National Readiness Programme – Ghatareef, an 11-month programme designed to help recent secondary school graduates explore different career and education pathways before committing to a university major.
Participants are introduced to sectors considered important to the UAE's future growth, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, healthcare, education and national security, while developing their technical and personal skills.
Alnuaimi said the programme was designed to address the uncertainty many young people face after graduating from school.
Instead of committing to a particular field immediately, participants spend a year exploring different sectors and identifying those that best match their interests and abilities.
The programme is accredited, allowing graduates to continue their higher education at universities in the UAE from the second year, according to the FYA.
It also places an emphasis on soft skills, including resilience, adaptability and lifelong learning.