Latest news with #DepartmentofCommunityDevelopment
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Ma'an launches Athar+ to empower social enterprises, non-profits in Abu Dhabi
2 June 2025 21:48 ABU DHABI (WAM)In a significant step to advance community-driven change, the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an, the Abu Dhabi Government's official channel to receive social contributions, operating under the Department of Community Development, announces the launch of Athar+ (Athar Plus), Abu Dhabi's first purpose-driven hub dedicated to accelerating social 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 brings together social enterprises, non-profits, and impact makers into one collaborative ecosystem for social by community contributions, Athar+ is an initiative by the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an, designed to enable impact-driven organisations to 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 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 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 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 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.
Al Etihad
19-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
DCD, DMT partner to expand Nabdh community hubs across Abu Dhabi
19 May 2025 14:53 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi has launched a first-of-its-kind Nabdh community hub in Abu Dhabi, designed to facilitate community engagement and connections by providing inclusive spaces for community DCD and the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) signed an agreement, marking the beginning of a collaborative effort to expand and establish more "Nabdh" community hubs across various regions of the the agreement, the DMT will offer support in establishing the new hubs, and develop modern facilities that cater to all segments of the Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi (DCD), highlighted that the agreement aligns with the goals of the Year of Community by creating more inclusive spaces that nurture cooperation, belonging, and shared experiences among community members."This collaboration will expand our reach to a wider audience and enable us to develop sustainable programs that resonate with community members, ultimately improving their quality of life," he confirmed the importance of designing these hubs thoughtfully to cater to various age groups. The hubs will offer a conducive environment to empower youth, enhance the well-being of senior citizens, and provide families with access to enriching programmes and Saif Sultan Al Nasri, Acting Undersecretary of the DMT, highlighted the role the initiative plays in cultivating a sustainable urban environment that facilitates seamless integration of community services."Providing advanced community facilities across Nabdh hubs is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at creating infrastructure that enhances the residents' quality of life in Abu Dhabi. We believe that developing these centres plays a key role in enhancing social cohesion while reflecting the dynamic nature of Abu Dhabi's urban landscape," he said."Collaborating with the Department of Community Development has enabled us to achieve higher levels of inclusivity in developmental projects, demonstrating our commitment to building and developing modern facilities defined by engineering and architectural excellence. These initiatives play a vital role in supporting the emirate's efforts to provide social infrastructure and services that meet the highest standards and best practices," Al Nasri community hubs will serve as interactive platforms aimed at enhancing community empowerment and benefiting all social segments. The inaugural Nabdh community hub has been unveiled in Al Falah area, offering over 145 social and interactive programmes, activities, and high-quality workshops conducted by a network of more than 35 partners. The activities cater to residents of all age groups in Al Falah, fostering engagement and growth within the local community. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Daily Mail
04-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
People are just realizing clever reason McDonald's logo is yellow and red
When most people pull up under the double aches to order salty fries and a Big Mac, they aren't thinking about the bold red and yellow color scheme of the iconic restaurant, but it does mean something. It's printed on everything - the bag, the French fry boxes, even on the ice cream wrapper that sticks to your cone. So why exactly did the fast-food chain choose these two clashing colors? Well, it's a mind trick... literally! 'Red triggers stimulation, appetite, hunger; it attracts attention,' color psychologist Karen Haller told The Mirror. 'Yellow triggers the feelings of happiness and friendliness.' She went on to say that the color combination psychologically indicates to the brain ideas of 'speed' and 'quickness.' 'In, eat, and out again,' she told The Mirror. The yellow has a double function; the bright color naturally draws attention and can be easily spotted from the road. Also, the yellow arches resemble one of its most popular menu items: fries. And pair the arch with its red base, the resulting combo looks like their famous box of fries. There are only a few places where the McDonald's logo isn't yellow and red, and you'd have to drive to Arizona to find one of them. A store in Sedona instead has a unique set of teal colored arches on its exterior. The Sedona location, located off State Route 89A, isn't the only McDonald's in the world that deviates from the classic yellow symbol, but this one has a good reason. The burger joint location was built in 1993 - just a few years after Sedona was incorporated into Arizona. After the Department of Community Development settled into its role, it decided it was unhappy with the bright gold against Sedona's muted natural red rock beauty. 'Someone suggested it would be interesting if they did something else than golden arches to fit in with the identity that the city decided to establish,' senior planner for the department, Cari Meyer, told ABC 15 in 2022. The city government pushed McDonald's to switch to teal to avoid clashing with Sedona's breathtaking background. There are only a few places where the McDonald's logo isn't yellow and red, and you'd have to drive to Arizona to find one of them. A store in Sedona instead has a unique set of teal colored arches on its exterior After the Department of Community Development settled into its role, it decided it was unhappy with the bright gold against Sedona's muted natural red rock beauty (pictured: Sedona) Surprisingly enough, the fast-food chain agreed, making it the only store with this unique color scheme.
Zawya
02-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Department of Community Development - Abu Dhabi records 1.7m+ volunteer hours in 2024, a 95% increase from 2023
Abu Dhabi: The Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi, as the regulatory body for volunteering in the Emirate, strives to foster a flexible and sustainable volunteering environment through policies and initiatives that encourage community participation with meaningful impact. Volunteering is a cornerstone of strong and cohesive communities, fostering a culture of giving, social responsibility, and initiative. It not only provides assistance but also reflects a passion for contributing to the wellbeing of others, ultimately enhancing quality of life and cultivating a conscious, responsible generation ready to support national development. Abu Dhabi is committed to implementing policies and initiatives that promote volunteering, reinforcing its position as a hub for giving and social responsibility. As part of this effort and in alignment with the Year of the Community objectives, the Department of Community Development has highlighted significant achievements in Abu Dhabi's volunteer sector in 2024. These achievements reflect the growing number of volunteers and initiatives that have supported various social and humanitarian causes. These accomplishments are the result of collaborative efforts led by the Department of Community Development in partnership with key stakeholders, Including the Authority of Social Contributions – Ma'an, Emirates Foundation, Emirates Red Crescent, and others. In 2024, Abu Dhabi recorded 1,709,177 volunteer hours, marking a 95 per cent increase from the 873,787 hours recorded in 2023. This surge reflects the community's heightened awareness of volunteering as a key aspect of social responsibility. Volunteer programs spanned various fields, including healthcare, education, sports, environmental protection, social empowerment, and senior citizen support. The economic value of volunteering in Abu Dhabi reached AED 123 million in 2024, representing a 98 per cent increase from 2023. This underscores the vital role of volunteering in sustainable development, economic growth, and enhancing service quality, ultimately benefiting the labour market and supporting the development of a skilled and engaged workforce. In a pioneering initiative, the Department of Community Development had announced last year that the economic value of volunteering in Abu Dhabi is AED 72 per hour, marking the first such valuation in the UAE. This innovative mechanism was developed in collaboration with Emirates Foundation, the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an, and the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi. By the end of 2024, the number of newly registered volunteers had risen to 28,087, compared to 23,910 at the end of 2023. This growth reflects the effectiveness of newly introduced policies and initiatives aimed at creating a more flexible volunteering environment. Notably, the updated volunteering policy in Abu Dhabi simplified processes, enhanced volunteer flexibility, and improved transparency, in line with the Effortless Customer Experience initiative of the Abu Dhabi Government. Additionally, the number of registered volunteer opportunities increased to 2,527 in 2024, up from 1,185 in 2023. These opportunities were provided by 91 entities, including 50 government and private sector organisations, 19 third-sector institutions, and 22 volunteer teams. As a recognition of the invaluable contributions of volunteer teams, a dedicated category for volunteer team recognition was introduced in the inaugural Third Sector Awards, aimed at encouraging continued community contributions. His Excellency Mohamed Helal Al Balooshi, Executive Director of the Community Engagement and Sports Sector at DCD, emphasised that these achievements align with the leadership's vision of building a cohesive society and fostering a culture of community participation and shared responsibility, supporting the objectives of the Year of the Community. His Excellency Al Balooshi said: "We have witnessed remarkable growth across all aspects of volunteering in Abu Dhabi over the past year. This reflects the significance of volunteering as a fundamental pillar of comprehensive and sustainable development, showcasing the strong collaboration between government entities, the private sector, and the third sector. Through launching various initiatives, programs, and activities, we continue to strengthen the culture of giving and social responsibility, leading to a 95 per cent increase in volunteer hours within just one year." He further highlighted that the active participation of community members demonstrates a growing awareness of volunteering as a core element of national identity and social responsibility. He noted that the increasing engagement in volunteering reflects a genuine desire among individuals to drive positive change and contribute to sustainable development. He also praised the essential role played by volunteers in supporting the community, reinforcing Abu Dhabi's status as a global leader in volunteering. "We view the Year of the Community as an opportunity to strengthen volunteering as a key value of social cohesion and unity, representing shared responsibility and meaningful contributions to society. We are confident that the impressive figures achieved this year will continue to rise, further cementing Abu Dhabi as a leading hub for volunteering and community solidarity.'
TAG 91.1
24-04-2025
- Health
- TAG 91.1
Temporary care support for UAE senior citizens under 'Barakatna'
Temporary care when families are unavailable and home improvements are among six new services launched under Abu Dhabi's 'Barakatna' initiative to enhance care for Emirati senior citizens. Approval for flexible working for caregivers, additional units for special cases, extension on home loan repayment and specialised housing grants for families are among the other services. It's designed to promote family cohesion and quality of life. UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan launched the 'Barakatna' initiative earlier this week as capital city works to improve home care services for seniors and supporting caregivers. 'Barakatna' is grounded in the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi (DCD)'s approach to identifying societal needs and challenges through studies, surveys and other social monitoring tools. "We designed this initiative following an in-depth review of the challenges facing caregivers, with the goal of easing their daily burdens and empowering them to carry out their noble responsibilities toward their parents," said Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development. "It is about helping them strike a healthy balance between work and family life. Family caregiving is not just a duty - it is a living expression of loyalty and a foundation for a cohesive, resilient society." Six key services The temporary care support is provided for up to 8 hours per day, once per week, for a total of 48 days per year, enabling caregivers to attend to personal responsibilities, spend time with their families and ease the demands of daily life. Flexible work policies within government allows caregivers to obtain a formal certificate enabling them to balance their professional and caregiving responsibilities more effectively. Structural modifications to homes allow families to create dedicated, private and comfortable living spaces for senior family members. Specialised housing grants allow families to live closer to one another and extend the repayment period for housing loans by an additional five years to reduce financial pressure on caregivers.
