Ma'an launches Athar+ to empower social enterprises, non-profits in Abu Dhabi
This launch comes as part of the 'From the Community to the Community' label, an initiative launched during the 'Year of Community' by the Authority, aimed at promoting community engagement.
Athar+ brings together social enterprises, non-profits, and impact makers into one collaborative ecosystem for social entrepreneurship.
Funded by community contributions, Athar+ is an initiative by the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an, designed to enable impact-driven organisations to thrive.
The hub provides designated workspaces, expert mentorship, professional services, and tailored growth programmes—all aimed at helping social enterprises and non-profits scale their missions and deepen their impact across Abu Dhabi.
Located at Madar_39, Athar+ serves as a catalyst for collaboration, entrepreneurship, and inclusion; offering a dedicated workspace for impact-driven organisations to develop solutions, share knowledge, and access the resources they need to build a more inclusive and resilient future.
On this occasion, Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development, affirmed that the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an continues, throughout the 'Year of the Community,' to launch impactful initiatives and creating an enabling environment that supports the achievement of sustainable positive impact for Abu Dhabi's society.
Dr. Al Khaili stated, 'The launch of Athar+ platform reflects the social sector's commitment to building an ecosystem that empowers third sector entities, including public benefit organisations and social enterprises—entities that have emerged from the community to serve the community. More than 150 third sector organisations are expected to benefit from this platform, offering unique services, programs, and initiatives to members of our society.'
He added, 'We will spare no effort in strengthening Abu Dhabi's position as an enabling city for all institutions dedicated to serving the community and addressing social challenges with innovative and effective solutions.'
Abdullah Humaid Al Ameri, Director-General, the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an, said, 'Athar+ comes as part of the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an's efforts to empower the third sector, promotes social entrepreneurship, and build a thriving ecosystem that enables this sector. The hub aims to accelerate the growth of non-profits, social enterprises and social initiatives through capacity-building, mentorship and fostering collaboration and networking opportunities. These efforts contribute to addressing social priorities in Abu Dhabi while building a more cohesive and inclusive community.'
He also expressed his appreciation to the Abu Dhabi community members for their contributions to support this pioneering initiative, particularly commending Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank for its contribution, representing a model of effective collaboration between the public and private sectors in driving community-focused initiatives. He emphasised that such steadfast commitment serves as a cornerstone for achieving inclusive and sustainable development.
With offerings such as capacity-building workshops, networking events, one-on-one advisory support, and flexible membership options, Athar+ reinforces the Authority's long-standing commitment to connecting the community and nurturing an active, empowered social sector.
Through the launch of Athar+, the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an strengthens Abu Dhabi's position as a regional leader in social entrepreneurship as well as reflecting the Authority's broader vision of enabling a culture of giving, participation, and measurable social progress.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
31 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Saudia announces up to 50% off on international flights including round-trip, transit
Saudi Arabia's national carrier Saudia has announced an exclusive offer of up to 50% off on its international routes, including round-trip and transit flights. The offer applies to both Business and Guest Class fares. Reservations can be made through Saudia's digital channels, including the official website, mobile app, and sales offices. This is applicable for bookings made between August 17 and August 31, for travel between September 1 to December 10. Guests booking transit flights can also benefit from the Kingdom's digital Stopover Visa, which is automatically linked to their ticket. This visa enables guests to stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 96 hours, allowing visitors to perform Umrah, and explore the Kingdom. Saudia currently serves over 100 destinations across four continents, supported by a growing fleet of 149 aircraft as part of its ongoing network expansion.
The National
31 minutes ago
- The National
A mother-of-three's guide to getting your children ready to go back to school in the UAE
Parents in the UAE are getting ready to wave their children off to school after two months of entertaining them at home. With the new term scheduled to begin soon, it's time to move away from the holiday mindset back into school schedule, and the best way is to do it gradually in the days leading up to the new term. As a mother of three boys aged 12, 10 and six, and as a frequent class representative over the years, I feel like I have seen (and heard) it all when it comes to the pre-school year rituals. So, here are seven tips I promise will make the return to school a little bit easier… 1. Ease children back into the school routine Holidays are often a time to relax routines and schedules, which will differ from family to family, but often means letting children go to bed later (and get up later too), and being a little more lenient about snacks, sleepovers and screen time. To avoid back-to-school culture shock, it's best to get back into the school timing swing of things before the new term actually starts, so you can ease little ones into their routines gently. Begin by bringing bedtime and waking up times gradually closer to school day timings and putting a ban on friends staying over for the next few weeks to encourage a sleep routine. Another suggestion is to reduce screen time by a certain amount, for example by 15 minutes a day, which will make any term-time limits less noticeable. 2. Unmute class WhatsApp groups Many parents like to take a break from the constant chatter on the class and year WhatsApp groups and may choose to mute, or even leave, the chats during vacation time. In the run up to the new term, it's a good idea to unmute or rejoin as there is usually a lot of information being shared by class representatives and school ambassadors as the first day back approaches. New joiners may have questions, and there are often plenty of discussion once classes are announced, which can help get your children excited to see their friends again. 3. Make your uniform appointment Children, as we all know, can experience growth spurts at the most inopportune times, usually right after you've bought them new shoes or clothes, leaving trousers swinging around ankles and toes tight against the end of trainers. Because of this, many parents prefer to wait until the last minute to buy new uniforms, making the week before the new term starts a very busy time. Many uniform shops require you to make an appointment during these times if you need to visit in person, so check out your nearest store for their bookings. It's also a great idea to go online to community forums, such as Facebook groups or WhatsApp chats, as parents often sell or give away their children's old uniforms, making for a cheaper and environmentally conscious option. 4. Set up a school cupboard at home The sheer amount of paper your children will bring home from school is tantamount to the yearly output of a small, bureaucratic-minded country. Homework, drawings, books, forms, folders … you will soon be inundated with paper. To prevent this academic detritus from taking over your house in towering piles, designate a school cupboard to keep all school-related items in. Older children should be encouraged to manage their own paperwork with the help of a mini filing system, such as using plastic or wicker boxes with the child's name on it. 5. Label everything (I mean, everything!) If you've ever experienced the soul-crushing sight of the jam-packed lost and found cupboard while searching for a misplaced water bottle or PE top among a pile of identical sports T-shirts, you'll know the importance of labelling every item your child will wear or use at school. Go online and order bespoke sew or iron-in labels which feature your child's name, class and year for their clothes and make sure to attach the label where it can easily be seen (all the better for finding it in that cupboard). Don't forget to label items such as underwear, socks, swimwear, towels and swimming goggles – all things that are likely to be lost in the changing rooms. For items such as lunchboxes, pencil cases, water bottles and stationery, look for super-sticky labels that can be ordered with your child's name or left blank for you to fill in. Use these for stationery items such as scissors, calculators, water bottles, and even inside shoes, because yes, younger children often come home wearing their classmate's shoes. 6. Let children choose their school accessories A way to help ignite some enthusiasm for the coming term is to enlist children in choosing their new kit for school. Whether visiting the the mall, or ordering online, children will enjoy choosing their lunchbox, snack box, water bottle, pencil case and backpack, adding to first day excitement. 7. Prepare for first day photo ops It's become a social media rite of passage for parents to coax a smile out of their little ones in order to post 'first day' photos online. If you want to do something special, such as have your child hold up a sign or a chalkboard, order it in advance so you can take the photos you want. I also recommend getting up earlier on the first day to allow for photos, so you're not snapping as everyone's rushing out the door.
Khaleej Times
31 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
US-China tariff truce eases pressure on UAE economy
With Washington and Beijing agreeing to extend trade negotiations until November 10, avoiding immediate tariff escalation, global markets are breathing a sigh of relief, and the UAE stands among the key beneficiaries, analysts say. The decision by the US and China to keep talks alive has tempered volatility in tech exports and the oil market, both of which are integral to the UAE's trade-linked economy. Lower external trade tension, coupled with contained UAE inflation at 2.4 per cent as of June 2025, is now paving the way for a potential 25 basis-point interest rate cut in September, in line with US Federal Reserve expectations. Market watchers believe such a move could provide a fresh boost to domestic growth momentum, especially in real estate and equities, two sectors already riding strong uptrends. The UAE MSCI index is trading above 20 and near decade highs, while the real estate sector maintains its safe-haven appeal, with the average transaction value hitting Dh2.7 million in the first half of 2025. Razan Hilal, market analyst, CMT at said: 'The UAE economy is in a particularly favourable position right now, benefiting from easing trade tensions, stable inflation, and the likelihood of a rate cut. These factors together could sustain bullish sentiment in equities and keep property market demand robust. Even if the global trade environment takes a negative turn, the UAE's diversified partnerships, particularly its strong bilateral ties with China, give it a unique resilience in weathering short-term shocks.' While the current trade truce provides breathing space, a breakdown in talks could quickly reignite market jitters. However, the UAE's diversified economic base, expanding non-oil sectors, and strategic positioning as a global trade hub offer buffers against such turbulence. In this context, Hilal further comments: 'In case of renewed tariff pressure, supply chain adaptability and strong Asia-GCC trade links could be key stabilizing forces. For now, the UAE's economic outlook remains constructively bullish, with monetary policy, sectoral momentum, and global trade diplomacy aligning in its favour.'
