The Community Development Authority scheme will assess 146 registered civil society groups across key operational standards, aligning with the Dubai Social Agenda 33.
DUBAI, UAE : Dubai’s Community Development Authority has officially launched the third phase of the “Ethraa” Award, an initiative designed to strengthen the institutional framework, financial efficiency, and social impact of non-profit entities operating within the emirate.
The initiative directly aligns with the objectives of the Dubai Social Agenda 33, which aims to empower the city’s “third sector”—encompassing non-governmental organizations, voluntary groups, and community associations—as vital partners in sustainable urban and social development.
Announcing the launch, Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority (CDA), emphasized that the program reflects the leadership’s vision to foster social cohesion and human empowerment. The scheme provides non-profits with structural support, enabling them to transition from basic charitable activities to long-term sustainable operations.
A total of 146 non-profit organizations licensed and supervised by the CDA are included in this organizational development initiative. The evaluation process rigorously measures participating groups against strict governance benchmarks, divided into three fundamental pillars:
- Organizational empowerment and good governance
- Sustainability of human and social capital
- Operational performance excellence
Entities demonstrating high performance following the comprehensive audit will receive the Ethraa Excellence Award, categorized into Gold, Silver, and Bronze tiers. CDA officials noted that the impact of the initiative is already evident, with the number of recognized high-performing organizations expanding from 25 in earlier cycles to 30.
To mark the launch, the CDA organized an introductory workshop at the Al Khawaneej Majlis, bringing together more than 200 representatives from licensed non-profit entities, including several prominent community organizations representing the Indian diaspora. The session outlined operational guidelines, governance frameworks, and best practices required to meet the third phase criteria.
Dr. Ahmed Al Hashimi, CEO of the Social Regulation and Services Sector at the CDA, stated that the third phase represents a qualitative advancement in the administrative, financial, and technical assistance provided to civil society. He noted that institutional excellence is no longer treated as an optional standard, but as an embedded operational culture to maximize the long-term impact of non-profits in Dubai.
