The 10th edition of the “Goodness for Volunteer Work 2026” initiative is set to celebrate the pioneers of generosity and success stories that inspire community engagement. This prestigious award not only highlights the importance of volunteerism in the UAE but also recognizes the impactful contributions made by individuals and organizations committed to the welfare of society.
Legacy of Giving
Sheikh Engineer Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Goodness for Volunteer Work Award, emphasized that the establishment of the award is rooted in the humanitarian legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may he rest in peace. This initiative embodies the values of giving, solidarity, and community service that he championed, aligning perfectly with the directives of the wise leadership. The award is designed to support volunteer initiatives, reinforce a culture of altruism, and encourage active participation from individuals and institutions in serving the nation and humanity.
Significance of the Tenth Edition
The upcoming 10th edition of the award, scheduled for February 7, holds special significance as it marks a mature and sustainable phase of the initiative. Sheikh Al Qasimi noted that reaching this milestone reflects the award’s development and growing influence. This year, the award will honor 100 volunteers who have proven to be leaders in giving and have compelling success stories. He stated, “The award has contributed to improving the quality of volunteer initiatives, fostering innovation, and measuring community impact, alongside supporting partnerships among government, private, and nonprofit sectors, all of which cater to community development issues.”
Inspiring Future Generations
The 10th edition represents an important occasion to celebrate leaders in volunteerism and illuminate inspiring success stories. This effort enhances trust in charitable work and motivates younger generations to engage actively. Sheikh Al Qasimi applauded the leadership’s recognition of volunteer efforts and its commitment to building a supportive framework for enhancing the impact and sustainability of volunteerism while promoting values of giving, cooperation, and social bonding.
The Role of Family in Volunteerism
Moreover, the announcement of the “Year of the Family” in the UAE underscores the family unit as the foundation of a cohesive and sustainable community, which intersects with the award’s mission to promote the concept of family volunteering. This approach encourages families to participate in humanitarian initiatives collectively, nurturing a generation that is conscious of the values of volunteer work. Firas Aziz bin Darwish, Vice President of the award, stated that since its inception, the initiative has honored around 400 volunteers across the emirates, recognizing their commendable community contributions.
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, bin Darwish revealed plans to expand community participation to attract new volunteer demographics, particularly the youth, and to support innovative initiatives in volunteer work. The award aims to establish itself as a national platform for promoting volunteer culture, aligning with the UAE’s vision of fostering values of goodness and generosity both locally and globally. Notable updates for the tenth edition include the introduction of innovative and digital volunteering paths, clearer measurements of the community impact of initiatives, a dedicated category for youth and adolescents, and the provision of training programs for winners, as well as documentation of inspiring success stories.