Latest news with #AbuDhabiExcellenceAward
Zawya
3 days ago
- General
- Zawya
The Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi organizes informational workshops on the 'Damj' award with participation from organizations across all sectors in the emirate
Dr. Layla Al Hyas: We invite all entities to submit initiatives that create tangible impact in the lives of People of Determination. Submissions for the award open on July 1st and will run through the end of August 2025. Abu Dhabi – The Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi organized a series of interactive orientation workshops introducing the Abu Dhabi Excellence Award for People of Determination Inclusion – Damj. The sessions welcomed representatives from government, private, and third sector organizations across the emirate. These workshops aim to empower participating organizations to develop inclusive strategies and initiatives in line with global best practices. This aligns with Abu Dhabi's vision of building an inclusive society that provides equal opportunities for all. The sessions also introduced participants to the award's pillars, categories, and objectives, along with its assessment tool, participation criteria, and nomination process – all designed to foster a shared understanding and strengthen institutional inclusion efforts across workplaces, community services and accessibility. The workshops featured engaging sessions that outlined the award's role in recognizing and motivating entities to adopt inclusive services and equitable employment practices. The ultimate goal is to ensure the sustainability of inclusive practices that empower People of Determination in every aspect of life. The award is expected to engage over 600 entities across various sectors to provide inclusive, accessible environments – both physical and digital. It also seeks to enhance economic participation for People of Determination through more than 80 entities, offering over 500 inclusive services across six key sectors, representing a true commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and equality. One of the workshops highlights included inspiring personal testimonies from members of the People of Determination community. They shared their life experiences and the ongoing challenges they face in areas such as infrastructure, transport, accessibility, and education. They also emphasized the significant impact of multi-sector efforts from government, private, and third-sector partners in improving the quality of life for People of Determination and their families. The workshops also included a comprehensive presentation of the award's structure, which is built around 3 main pillars and 10 categories. The first is the Inclusive Services pillar, which features 6 categories covering the industries of health, education, tourism and entertainment, transportation and mobility, and third sector services. The second is the Inclusive Employment pillar, which includes two categories recognizing the best inclusive work environment for employing People of Determination. The third pillar focuses on Accessibility, with two categories honoring entities that excel in providing both physical and digital accessibility. The sessions further highlighted the specific criteria and requirements for each pillar and service, in addition to outlining the stages of assessment and the nomination submission process, supported by vivid examples for each service. The sessions also provided insights into evaluation criteria, nomination requirements, and examples illustrating the kinds of initiatives eligible for each category. Additionally, third-sector organizations presented models of their inclusive services, demonstrating their pivotal role in supporting People of Determination across different aspects of life. These presentations served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among attendees. Her Excellency Dr. Layla Al Hyas, Executive Director of the Community Development Sector at the Department of Community Development, affirmed that the Damj Award is a vital enabler for sustaining inclusive environments and practices. She described the award as a strategic driver that encourages entities to adopt forward-thinking policies promoting equal opportunity and empowering People of Determination as active partners in development. Dr. Al Hyas urged all public, private, and third-sector entities to leverage this opportunity to submit impactful, innovative initiatives that make a real difference in the lives of People of Determination. She emphasized that excellence in inclusion is not only about meeting standards but about creating sustainable, innovative, and measurable change. She added: "We are confident in Abu Dhabi's entities and their ability to lead inclusive transformation. Every initiative submitted today marks a step toward a more inclusive society." To conclude the workshop, the award team hosted a Q&A session, responding to participants' inquiries about the nomination process and requirements. The team also expressed its availability to hold one-on-one sessions with interested entities and encouraged communication via email at: damj@ It is worth noting that submissions for the Damj Award will open on July 1, 2025, and continue through August 31, 2025, followed by an assessment phase in September and October, with the winners to be honoured at an extraordinary ceremony in early 2026.
Al Etihad
20-04-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Department of Community Development - Abu Dhabi reveals details of Abu Dhabi Excellence Award for People of Determination Inclusion (Damj)
20 Apr 2025 13:21 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Department of Community Development (DCD) has announced the details of the Abu Dhabi Excellence Award for People of Determination Inclusion of Damj, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive award aims to reinforce Abu Dhabi's position as a global leader in inclusive development by adopting both local and international disability inclusion standards and encouraging the implementation of innovative programmes that ensure equal opportunities and enhance social wellbeing for all segments of announcement was attended by His Excellency Hamad Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Department of Community Development, and Her Excellency Dr Layla Al Hyas, Executive Director of the Social Development Sector, along with the team leading on the implementation of the award Damj, media representatives, and content event included a detailed presentation on the award, that features ten categories grouped under three main pillars. One of the most prominent is the Inclusive Services Pillar, which seeks to incentivise the achievements of entities from the public, private, and third sectors that deliver inclusive and innovative services for people of determination across various fields. This pillar recognises excellence in areas such as health, education, tourism and recreation, mobility and transportation, and third-sector services, based on international disability inclusion requires that entities be based in Abu Dhabi, have operated for at least two years, hold a valid commercial license for private sector applicants, and provide services within the emirate. For health services, the award excludes specialised medical rehabilitation. For inclusive education, schools must have a minimum rating of Good, in designated inclusion award also features the Inclusive Employment Pillar, which aims to honour and recognise the efforts of entities that create an inclusive employment ecosystem that is enabling an inclusive work environment for employees of determination, allowing them to perform their roles in alignment with their capabilities. This pillar includes two categories honouring the most inclusive work environments in the public and private sectors. To be eligible, entities must be based in Abu Dhabi, have been established for at least two years, possess a valid commercial license in the case of private sector applicants, and, for public entities, employ People of Determination representing at least two percent of their total Accessibility Pillar seeks to recognise achievements by government and private entities that offer accessible physical environments, such as buildings and facilities, as well as access to information and digital platforms including websites and mobile applications, in alignment with universal accessibility pillar includes recognition for the most accessible entity in both the public and private sectors, across physical and digital environments. Eligibility requires that entities be based in Abu Dhabi, have been operational for at least two years, hold a valid commercial license for private sector organisations, and present an active occupancy certificate issued within the past five years by the Department of Municipalities and Excellency Dr. Layla Al Hyas, Executive Director of the Social Development Sector at the Department, affirmed that the Damj Award is an approved initiative under the Abu Dhabi Strategy for People of comes at a key moment following the completion of the first cycle of the strategy to crown the efforts of outstanding entities and ensure the sustainability and continuity of inclusion efforts beyond the strategy's timeline. Her Excellency stated that the award serves as more than a recognition tool; it is an incentivising platform that enhances innovation in the provision of disability inclusive and sustainable services and the development of inclusive work ecosystem, empowering People of Determination to engage actively in social and economic is expected that the award will increase the participation of People of Determination in the labour market and economy through more than 80 entities in Abu Dhabi, while also preparing over 600 entities across sectors to become more inclusive and accessible. The award will also support the purchasing power and independence of People of Determination and their families, reinforcing their active participation in the award ceremony will be held in the first quarter of 2026 to honour the winning entities from various sectors in Abu department also announced that it will be organising a series of training workshops for entities interested in applying for the Damj Award. These workshops, scheduled for April 23-24, 2025 will be conducted over the course of a single day and are designed to support representatives from all sectors by offering an in-depth explanation of the award's categories, pillars, eligibility requirements, evaluation process, and by answering participant award team will offer weekly awareness sessions in both Arabic and English, available to all entities interested in learning more about the award's structure, categories, and criteria. These sessions will continue throughout the first award cycle, from February until the end of may also request one-on-one sessions with the award team to receive tailored guidance and support throughout the application process. The Damj Award reflects the Department of Community Development's unwavering commitment to building a cohesive and inclusive society where individual differences are respected and valued as a source of strength and growth.
Dubai Eye
29-01-2025
- Business
- Dubai Eye
Abu Dhabi award to boost inclusion for people of determination
Abu Dhabi is taking major steps to improve inclusion for People of Determination with the launch of a new award recognizing efforts across key sectors. The Abu Dhabi Excellence Award will honour organizations that are making healthcare, education, transport, tourism and culture, more accessible and inclusive. The award, introduced by the Department of Community Development, celebrates efforts in three areas: inclusive services, accessibility, and inclusive employment. It's designed to boost the integration of People of Determination into the workforce and everyday life, and facilitate nearly 500 inclusive services in six key industries: healthcare, education, tourism, recreation, transportation and mobility. This initiative aims to empower more than 600 entities across the public, private and third sector, which includes non-governmental and non-profit organisations, to be fully accessible, reinforcing Abu Dhabi's leadership in inclusive development. The award is structured around three key pillars: Inclusive Services, focuses on enhancing the quality of life for People of Determination by delivering innovative and exceptional services. The second pillar, Accessibility, recognises the efforts of entities in prioritising ease of access to physical and digital environments, including facilities, services and information for People of Determination. The third pillar, Inclusive Employment, promotes the integration of People of Determination into the workforce by encouraging entities to provide inclusive workplaces that accommodate their abilities and aspirations. Under the patronage of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, the Department of Community Development has launched the Abu Dhabi Excellence Award for People of Determination Inclusion to recognise efforts of public, private and third-sector entities in empowering People of Determination. — مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) January 29, 2025
TAG 91.1
29-01-2025
- Business
- TAG 91.1
Abu Dhabi award to boost inclusion for people of determination
Abu Dhabi is taking major steps to improve inclusion for People of Determination with the launch of a new award recognizing efforts across key sectors. The Abu Dhabi Excellence Award will honour organizations that are making healthcare, education, transport, tourism and culture, more accessible and inclusive. The award, introduced by the Department of Community Development, celebrates efforts in three areas: inclusive services, accessibility, and inclusive employment. It's designed to boost the integration of People of Determination into the workforce and everyday life, and facilitate nearly 500 inclusive services in six key industries: healthcare, education, tourism, recreation, transportation and mobility. This initiative aims to empower more than 600 entities across the public, private and third sector, which includes non-governmental and non-profit organisations, to be fully accessible, reinforcing Abu Dhabi's leadership in inclusive development. The award is structured around three key pillars: Inclusive Services, focuses on enhancing the quality of life for People of Determination by delivering innovative and exceptional services. The second pillar, Accessibility, recognises the efforts of entities in prioritising ease of access to physical and digital environments, including facilities, services and information for People of Determination. The third pillar, Inclusive Employment, promotes the integration of People of Determination into the workforce by encouraging entities to provide inclusive workplaces that accommodate their abilities and aspirations. Under the patronage of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, the Department of Community Development has launched the Abu Dhabi Excellence Award for People of Determination Inclusion to recognise efforts of public, private and third-sector entities in empowering People of Determination. — مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) January 29, 2025
