Ma’an reveals new strategy for third sector growth

ABU DHABI, (Pakistan Point News - 22nd Apr, 2019) Supporting the growth of the community, developing innovative solutions for social challenges and encouraging collaboration are at the heart of a new strategic vision, the Ma’an Authority for Social Contribution revealed today.

Meaning ‘togetherness’ in Arabic, Ma’an will bring together the government, private sector and civil society to support start-up social enterprises, fund community-based establishments and provide volunteering opportunities in the UAE capital.

Speaking at an event held at Ma’an’s new headquarters, the Authority's Director-General Salama Al Ameemi outlined the authority’s mission to grow the 'third sector' - a the term used to describe voluntary, charitable or non-profit associations or foundations including social enterprises.

The first government authority of its kind in the region focused on growing the social sector, Ma’an was established under the directive of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Al Ameemi said, "Ma’an is mandated to deliver a social impact in Abu Dhabi, introducing new programmes and partnerships that will channel our community’s philanthropic efforts towards shared goals that support the common good."

"We want to build on the UAE’s strong culture of giving that was encouraged by our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and we will introduce a modern approach to creating collaborative communities that is inspired by the history and heritage of our country," she added.

Ma’an will have four key pillars of work. The first is a 'Social Investment Fund' which will raise funds from public and private partners to channel towards community-based establishments and social initiatives.

The second pillar involves the introduction of 'Social Impact bonds', a new financial model for contracting public services, which aim to advance the delivery of public services using measurable social outcomes.

The 'Social Incubator Programme' is the third pillar of the authority's overall work strategy, that will assist start-up community-based establishments, resulting in creating more not-for-profit associations or foundations and social enterprises in Abu Dhabi.

Lastly, the fourth pillar is a 'Community Engagement Programme' which will optimise the city's volunteering initiatives and create new opportunities for people to give their time for a good cause.

Ma’an will build on the spirit of philanthropy that is already strong in the UAE, which saw the country ranked 12th in the world for its generosity in the World Giving Index 2018.

The creation of Ma’an also follows the findings from the first ever social survey of Abu Dhabi carried out in 2018 by the Department of Community Development. The survey found overall life satisfaction among residents to be significantly higher than the OECD average as well as the importance of developing initiatives in fields such as social support, senior citizens, people with disabilities, public benefit organisations, voluntary activities and community participation.

Ma’an is part of the ‘Ghadan 21’ programme that is working to accelerate Abu Dhabi’s economy with the ambition of making the Emirate one of the best places in the world to do business, invest, live, work and visit. From 2019-2021, AED50 billion has been committed to the programme by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Ghadan 21 is anchored around four main pillars: Social, Economic, Liveability and Knowledge.