Abu Dhabi, UAE – Today the Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi celebrates the 36th annual International Volunteer Day, a United Nations resolution that recognizes the importance of volunteering in making key societal impact and celebrating the spirit of volunteerism.

His Excellency Mohammed Helal Al Blooshi, Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Affairs at the Department of Community Development, said: "The Department of Community Development aims at enabling and encouraging a safe, organized, and impactful volunteering environment that enhances community engagement and builds social cohesion. This focus reflects the directives of our wise leadership who believe in volunteering as an essential pillar for society’s development. Today, we recognize and commend those countless volunteers who have dedicated their time and skills towards advancing positive change in Abu Dhabi and throughout the United Arab Emirates.”

He added: “DCD’s commitment to enabling volunteerism can be seen through the launch of the volunteering policy last year and announcement of volunteer licensing in September 2021 to organize volunteering practices in Abu Dhabi.”

He pointed out that to further build on the policy and licensure activation, DCD’s role in fostering a strong volunteering ecosystem can be seen in its cooperation with the Emirates Foundation and the Authority of Social Contribution (Ma’an) to attract volunteers through the Volunteers.ae platform that allows entities to post volunteering opportunities and grants individuals and teams the necessary license to practice volunteering.

Al Blooshi stressed the importance of the Volunteers.ae platform in preserving volunteer rights and responsibilities of all volunteers, and bridging organizations seeking to post opportunities with volunteers who are looking to make a difference.

Within DCD’s volunteering policy, Abu Dhabi provides nine fields of volunteering, including traditional volunteering, volunteering for social affairs, volunteering in emergency situations, volunteering in events, virtual volunteering, volunteering for visitors, institutional volunteering, specialized volunteering, and volunteering abroad.

The policy includes three types of licenses – (1) a volunteer license issued to individuals wishing to volunteer, (2) a volunteer team license issued to groups of 5 or more individuals, and (3) a license for legal entities wishing to post volunteer opportunities.

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About the Department of Community Development

The Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi (DCD) was established in 2018 to govern the social and community-development sector through a set of policies, strategies, systems, and standards. The Department aims to improve the quality of life in the emirate and provide a dignified life for all, through high-quality, impactful, and efficient services. One of DCD’s priorities is to raise awareness about social issues pertinent to Abu Dhabi and its people and find innovative solutions.

There are 4 main entities under the umbrella of DCD, namely: Abu Dhabi Social Support Authority (ADSSA), Authority of Social Contribution - (Ma'an), Abu Dhabi Centre for Sheltering, and Humanitarian Care - (Ewa'a), and Family Care Authority (FCA). The department also collaborates with 7 partners in the community development sector in Abu Dhabi to achieve the desired goals. These entities include Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO), Zayed House for Islamic Culture (ZHIC), Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), Family Development Foundation (FDF), The Social Care and Minors Affairs Foundation (SCMAF), Abu Dhabi Housing Authority (ADHA), and Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA).

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