ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development (DCD) honoured the winning projects of the fourth cycle of the Wyakom initiative, following the conclusion of the judging phase and the presentation of finalist ideas before a specialised committee.
This cycle witnessed wide community participation, with 199 ideas and projects submitted by individuals from different age groups across three main themes: Growth, Prosperity, and Leadership.
The winning projects were recognised for their contribution to advancing the objectives of the Wyakom initiative, an innovative platform that attracts practical, sustainable solutions to enhance quality of life.
The initiative aligns with the Year of Community 2025 priorities. It reflects DCD’s commitment to supporting social innovation by nurturing impactful ideas, transforming them into tangible community projects, addressing real-world challenges, empowering diverse segments of society, and strengthening social cohesion and sustainability.
Four projects were awarded across the top three winning positions.
First place was awarded to the Ask Baseera initiative, submitted by Dr Mai Mohammed.
The initiative is a smart, secure platform designed for adolescent girls that provides reliable health information and confidential answers to their questions, overseen by specialised female doctors.
The platform aims to enhance health awareness and psychological support during a critical developmental stage.
Second place was awarded to Saira Gulamani for the initiative LEGO – Empowering Youth of Determination in the UAE.
The project is an innovative educational platform that empowers Emirati youth of determination to lead creative, interactive, intergenerational LEGO-based learning sessions for senior citizens.
The initiative strengthens communication and leadership skills while encouraging positive community engagement.
The award was received on her behalf by Yash Chopra.
For the first time in the history of the Wyakom initiative, two projects jointly shared third place.
The first was the Sanad Squad initiative by Anya Mariam, a weekly youth-led support circle in Abu Dhabi, supervised by specialised mentors and trainers in youth and adolescent development.
The initiative provides safe spaces for adolescents, aiming to enhance psychological and social well-being and establish sustainable support networks.
Sharing third place was the Heritage with a New Voice initiative, presented by Sara Al Nahdi and Hussain Al Mansoori.
The initiative aims to empower people of determination to learn traditional Emirati crafts through innovative approaches that integrate sound, touch, and artificial intelligence, tailored to their auditory, visual, and mobility needs.
The project helps preserve Emirati heritage while presenting it in a contemporary format that resonates with younger generations.
Acting Director-General of Strategic and Digital Affairs at the DCD, Dr Arif Al Hammadi, said, “We are pleased to honour the winners of the fourth cycle of the Wyakom initiative, coinciding with the conclusion of the Year of Community, in celebration of the ideas and community initiatives presented by individuals who have contributed innovative solutions to priority social challenges.
“Since the launch of the Wyakom platform in 2022, we have been committed to ensuring it remains inclusive, enabling direct engagement with the community and serving as a supportive voice for decision-makers in shaping policies, programmes, and initiatives that enhance quality of life and ensure a dignified life for all. We affirm that implementable ideas will be studied and followed up with partners and relevant entities across various sectors, in preparation for activating them and transforming them into practical solutions that contribute to building a more stable, prosperous, and sustainable society.”
Director of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships at DCD, Dr Yousif Al Zaabi, said, “Today’s announcement of the winners reflects the advanced level of ideas submitted during the fourth cycle and highlights the awareness, creativity, and ability demonstrated by youth and children in developing practical solutions that enhance quality of life in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
“The participating projects stood out for their maturity, diversity, and genuine alignment with community needs, reinforcing the position of the Wyakom initiative as an incubator for promising ideas and an effective channel to guide them toward implementation and tangible impact. We congratulate the winners and commend all participants who did not secure a winning position on this occasion, as their positive contributions alone represent an achievement worthy of recognition.”
The winning projects will receive support from the DCD to transition into the implementation phase, ensuring the transformation of innovative ideas into effective community initiatives that strengthen social development and reinforce the values of participation and social responsibility across the emirate.
DCD continues to develop the Wyakom initiative as an open platform for all members of society, enabling them to create sustainable social solutions that deliver tangible positive impact on quality of life and reflect the community's vital role in shaping a more prosperous and sustainable future for Abu Dhabi.