Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The Department of Community Development (DCD), in collaboration with Emirates Foundation, has launched the Neighbourhood Volunteer Teams initiative, designed to expand volunteering across the emirate by providing a safe, organised environment that builds a strong sense of community and mutual support.
This effort is part of the department’s ongoing efforts to strengthen volunteering across Abu Dhabi and create more opportunities for people to give back to their communities. It encourages local participation and helps residents take a more active role in their neighbourhoods, which in turn creates stronger, more connected communities.
The initiative brings together local volunteer teams led by residents from across the community, boosting social responsibility and reinforcing unity and cohesion. The first phase will cover five areas: Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Al Rahba, Al Falah, Al Riyadh, and Al Shawamekh.
The initiative will then gradually expand by establishing and activating volunteer teams across different areas of Abu Dhabi, with the aim of creating long-lasting impact and broader community participation. It also enables individuals to form volunteer teams within their own neighbourhoods, encouraging more community-led initiatives and supporting their continued growth.
DCD noted that the number of volunteers in each area will vary depending on community needs and participation. Team members and leaders were carefully selected based on set criteria, including interviews conducted in collaboration with Emirates Foundation, to make sure they are well-prepared for their roles. Volunteers play an important part in supporting the community and promoting a spirit of giving and shared responsibility.
The Neighbourhood Volunteer Teams initiative also allows government, private, and third sector organisations to work with these teams to deliver community initiatives at a neighbourhood level, allowing them to connect directly with residents and better respond to local needs.
The teams support a range of activities, including organising community events, programmes and awareness workshops, gathering community data and identifying residents’ needs through surveys and direct engagement, and contributing to field studies to better understand social challenges and available services.
They will also strengthen community engagement by raising awareness of programmes and services, especially among priority groups, serving as a direct link between residents and relevant entities, strengthening trust and improving coordination, while also supporting new initiatives and responding to emerging community needs in each area.
Mohamed Helal Al Balooshi, Executive Director of the Community Engagement and Empowerment Sector at DCD, said: “The Neighbourhood Volunteer Teams initiative is a big step forward in strengthening the volunteering landscape by empowering community members to take an active part in developing their neighbourhoods and making a positive impact.
“At the Department of Community Development, we believe volunteering is not just a short-term contribution, but a key pillar in building a strong, connected community that reflects the values of social responsibility and mutual support.”
DCD is working in collaboration with Emirates Foundation to deliver the initiative, with the Foundation playing a key role in preparing volunteer teams through specialised training programmes. These include emergency response, first aid, and crisis management under the SANID initiative, strengthening readiness and enhancing community safety.
The foundation also supports the selection of suitable candidates and develops tailored volunteering opportunities based on specific needs, as part of a coordinated effort between government entities and partners to maximise impact and support sustainable community development.
As part of efforts to strengthen the volunteer teams’ readiness and provide them with practical field experience, their first volunteering engagement during the pilot phase was through the Degayeg initiative, launched by the Department of Community Development in collaboration with the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi. This marked the teams’ first on-the-ground volunteering experience, allowing members to apply their skills, engage directly with the community, and contribute to promoting healthier and more active lifestyles. The volunteer teams also supported the initiative by organising and facilitating sports sessions and physical activities across their districts.
The volunteer teams have already begun designing and implementing their own community-led initiatives based on the needs and priorities of their local areas. The Riyadh Volunteer Team organised the From the People of Riyadh City - Impact Begins initiative, which aimed to strengthen community engagement and participation among local residents, in addition to taking part in the Proud of the UAE initiative in collaboration with Al Riyadh Charter School.
The Al Falah Volunteer Team launched an initiative to identify and nurture sports talent within the community. The efforts demonstrate the teams’ ability to develop locally driven initiatives that foster social cohesion, and create a sustainable positive impact within their communities.
