Extending our wellness and social responsibility commitment to the wider community

We are committed to supporting the wider community, contributing and leading in initiatives to help create a healthy and happy society in Dubai and beyond.

Dubai Holding introduces ‘Life Goals’ initiative to upskill, empower and recognise blue-collar workers

Launched during the Holy Month of Ramadan 2023 with programmes rolling out throughout the year, Life Goals focuses on enhancing the financial resilience of blue-collar workers and recognising their significant contribution to the Dubai ecosystem.

As part of a strategic partnership between Dubai Holding and Visa, free and comprehensive financial literacy courses are provided with the support of volunteering employees from both organisations to over 9,000 blue-collar workers within the Group with the aim of enhancing their financial inclusion. The topics covered in the courses include budgeting, spending, saving, cards and fraud.

Life Goals also encompasses a series of activations across some of the Dubai Holding destinations and communities to reward workers and enhance their wellbeing, such as our business entities organising the delivery of Iftar and care parcels to workers’ accommodations and providing unique experience across a number of our parks and attractions.

Dubai Holding and the Arts

We are committed to encouraging and further driving art and creativity across the emirate with a track record of activities that have helped foster an appreciation for the arts. These activations, part of Dubai Holding’s ‘Dubai Walls’ initiative, have been rolled out across many of Dubai Holding’s extensive citywide portfolio of destinations, attractions and communities, allowing residents and visitors to explore and enjoy local and international art.

In its inaugural project in March 2016, Dubai Walls invited 16 internationally renowned street artists to unveil their signature style of work at City Walk in Dubai. 

In 2021, Dubai Holding partnered with Dubai Culture and Tashkeel on a 133-metre-long painting on Umm Suqeim Street titled ‘For the Good of Tomorrow’ in commemoration of the UAE’s 50-year anniversary. Another project involved a collaboration with Brand Dubai to display Dubai’s longest public 3D artwork in an effort to bring the brand of the prominent neighbourhood Jumeirah to life.

Over the years, we have deployed many projects in support of art including Souk Seven, Sculpture Park in Jaddaf Waterfront, as well as various art and street art festivals hosted at JBR, City Walk, La Mer, Dubai Design District (d3), Last Exit Al Khawaneej, Al Seef and more.

Dubai Holding Presents ‘She is’ Campaign in Support of Gender Equality

The ‘She is’ campaign is part of our ongoing commitment to gender equality and is aligned to the Dubai Holding Gender Equity and Inclusion Framework, allowing us to stay focused on maintaining a sustainable environment that sparks human ambition and excellence.

Through the campaign’s creatives, the audience will learn about some of our diverse women, our business sectors as well as notice how our ‘unconscious bias’ about certain roles or professions may emerge only to later realise how important it is to ‘unlearn’ these biases.

The campaign launched its first phase in celebration of Emirati Women’s Day 2022, profiling leading Emirati female talents from across the Group with a series of employee communications, social media posts and a video that shed light on their roles while sharing the sources of their personal inspiration. The campaign’s second phase profiles more of our diverse female talents from across the Group while ensuring more sectors are included and the campaign’s main goal – helping lift unconscious bias – stays at the core.

Celebrating our Group’s female leaders is essential as they are true role models for present and future generations, and Dubai Holding’s diversity is instrumental to the development of our organisation and a better, more equitable society.

Dubai Holding Launches Ramadan Campaign ‘Tickit for Good’ in Support of Women and Children

Through Dubai Holding’s effortless and instant rewards programme, Tickit, we pledged to match all Tickit member rewards points earned during the Holy Month with a contribution to the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC).

The aim of Tickit for Good is to support disadvantaged, at-risk women and children of the Foundation, and reflects Dubai Holding’s ongoing commitment to empower women and advance gender equality in the UAE in support of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5.

To participate, the wider UAE community was invited to simply download the Tickit app, register and link their UAE-issued Mastercard or Visa credit or debit card to the account, then shop at Tickit partner outlets and destinations.

Members get rewarded with Tickit points for doing what they love to do, and we donate on their behalf. Giving has never been so effortless!

Dubai Holding joins Dubai Can campaign to drive community towards a more sustainable future

In proud support of UN Sustainable Development Goals on Clean Water and Sanitation; Sustainable Cities and Communities; and Climate Action, Dubai Holding has joined the new city-wide sustainability campaign Dubai Can.

An effort led by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, Dubai Can aims to minimise plastic waste by encouraging a refill culture instead of single-use plastic water bottles.

Through this campaign, Dubai Holding plays its part in fostering more sustainable practices by installing water dispensers and providing free access to safe drinking water at many of the Group’s leading destinations across Dubai, including Bluewaters, La Mer, The Beach, City Walk, Souk Madinat Jumeriah and Bay Avenue.

By partnering with Dubai Can, Dubai Holding reaffirms its commitment to being a socially and environmentally responsible business, dedicated to supporting Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030 and Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.

Dubai Holding and Dubai Culture Join Forces to Support the Cultural and Creative Community in Hatta

Under the patronage of Chairperson of Dubai Culture, HH Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Holding forged a collaboration with Dubai Culture to support the cultural and creative community in Hatta and provide opportunities for its entrepreneurs to translate their bright ideas into reality.

As part of this collaboration, Dubai Holding’s in5 platform for entrepreneurs and startups has been made available to residents of Hatta to support their emerging enterprises and new commercial projects as well as provide them with the opportunity to leverage its design, media and technology courses. The collaboration also comprises establishing a solid partnership with Dubai Holding’s Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation to explore educational opportunities in design and fashion for promising creative design talent from Hatta.

Our collaboration with Dubai Culture provides the youth in Hatta with an access to the training programmes offered by Jumeirah’s Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, which aims to prepare them to become hospitality ambassadors for Hatta and reinforce its position as one of Dubai’s most prominent tourist destinations.

Partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme

As part of our ongoing commitment to social responsibility and our vision of nurturing health and wellbeing ‘For the Good of Tomorrow’, we formed a year-long strategic partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) in 2021 to support food security and nutrition for school children across the region.

Providing children with school meals gives them vital nutrition and encourages parents to prioritise education over home-based work or early marriages, allowing children to enhance their education and reach their potential. Building human capital prepares workforces for the skilled jobs of the future, which can drive growth and transform economies.

To celebrate the spirit of giving and togetherness in the Holy Month of Ramadan, Dubai Holding in partnership with UNWFP kicked off the first campaign, A Meal for a Brighter Tomorrow. By mobilising our people, businesses, destinations and many of our communities, we were able to achieve social impact at a large scale and encourage everyone across the UAE to donate to the cause and fund school meals via Dubai Holding’s sponsored home card on UNWFP’s ShareTheMeal app and website.

Dubai Holding successfully raised over 294,000 school meals from the joint school feeding campaign throughout Ramadan, which was 147% more than our original target of 200,000 meals. These school meals supported the ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the biggest food drive in the region.

Masaai Al Khair

Coinciding with Zayed Humanitarian Day, Dubai Holding and the Ministry of Community Development (MOCD) completed major residential renovation in 2021 with a total amount of AED 10 million that had been implemented across a number of areas in Dubai.

The ‘Masaai Al Khair’ initiative is aimed at supporting the maintenance and renovation of houses of social security beneficiaries and low-income families, especially elderly citizens and people of determination. The total number of houses which were included in ‘Masaai Al Khair’ initiative reached 38 houses that have been fully renovated, distributed across several areas in Dubai including Hatta. These houses have undergone different types of internal and external maintenance works.

Launched by MOCD and in partnership with Dubai Holding in 2018 (Year of Zayed), ‘Masaai Al Khair’ focused on enhancing community responsibility towards different members of the society while bringing together government authorities and the private sector to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in support of social security beneficiaries.

Dubai Holding and Dubai Health Authority Join Forces to Support Blood Donation

Dubai Holding initiated in 2019 a long-term partnership with Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to support their Dubai Blood Donation Centre (DBDC) – contributing to an important mission for public health and social impact.

In order to enhance blood donations in Dubai and provide blood donors with added convenience, Dubai Holding donated a state-of-the-art blood donation bus to DBDC. The blood donation bus was inaugurated in an official ceremony during November 2020, travelling since then in weekly visits to reach people in different parts across the Emirate. Manufactured in the UAE, the blood donation bus is equipped with the latest smart technologies and requirements that comply with international standards.

In April 2021, Dubai Holding and DHA launched “The Perfect Gift is Saving Lives” three-month blood donation campaign for the communities and retail destinations of Dubai Holding. The blood donation bus conducted 26 visits across 16 locations, with more than 900 participants from 71 different nationalities. Additionally, the first joint mission between Dubai Holding and DHA was the extensive support to the “Be the Hero, Save Lives” blood donation joint initiative. Over the years, Dubai Holding has managed to secure more than 40,000 blood units to DBDC through several activations and campaigns.

‘Yak Al Awn’ Ramadan Initiative

Dubai Holding is proud to have been a key contributor to this year’s ‘Yak Al Awn’ Ramadan initiative, launched by the Arabic newspaper Emarat Al Youm, Dubai Courts, and Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department. ‘Yak Al Awn’, which translates to “you’ve got the support”, aimed to raise almost AED 21.5 million to release Emirati financial prisoners.

Under this initiative, Dubai Holding donated AED 2 million, in the spirit of the holy month. The Group was one of the very first corporates to contribute to the cause, to which many other large-scale organisations followed suit. Dubai Holding’s contribution came in line with its commitment towards enhancing social cohesion and ensuring a prosperous future for the Emirati society and the wider UAE community.

At the end of Ramadan 2019, the founding entities succeeded at raising the money and released the 107 intended financial prisoners.

Enhancing Access to Education in Nepal

Dubai Holding marks the latest step in its strategic partnership with Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, to improve children’s access to quality education in underprivileged communities around the world. As sponsors of the schools, Dubai Holding’s donation provided the engineering, building materials and skilled labour force to work on the land provided by the villages.

Since the initiatives inception, two new schools have been completed, one in Dhakka, Nepal and the other in Kaffrine 2 Sud in Senegal; both of which are operational and enrolling over 550 local children aged between 6 – 14 years old, with 20 teachers responsible for the classes.

Nationally, the total adult literacy rate in Nepal is just over 50% and in Senegal only 62% of men and 39% of women can read and write. The continued intiatives seeks to improve education access across these rural communities to increase literacy rates, ignight a virtuous cycle of literacy, opportunity and prosperity across the regions.

Ramadan Initiatives

Dubai Holding achieved new milestones in philanthropic giving and social contribution during the Holy Month of Ramadan. To celebrate the spirit of generosity and togetherness in the Holy Month, the Group organised a number of initiatives which benefitted over 125,000 people from various communities across Dubai.

The 2018 Ramadan Drive has been Dubai Holding’s largest ever social campaign to date, a hugely positive collective effort of companies across the Group to make a big impact on our wider community. Collaborations with Ministry of Community Development, Emirates Red Crescent, Dubai Police, Unilever and Better Life, have contributed to our ambition to support the Government’s efforts to boost the happiness and welfare of UAE’s citizens and residents.

Dubai Holding also organised special volunteering days for its employees and the wider community in collaboration with UAE volunteers, inviting them to come and participate.

Government Summit

Dubai Holding is the strategic partner for the ‘Edge of Government Innovation Experience’ at the 2018 edition of the World Government Summit.

An interactive exhibit features case studies on select global innovations, offering visitors an immersive journey in high-impact solutions aimed at improving people’s lives around the world. These innovations will undergo a public vote, and the winner will be recognised by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Ruler of Dubai, with the Edge of Government Award.

Innovation is our guiding principle at Dubai Holding, we are committed to working with governments and global partners to promote innovation to solve the complex challenges of our time.

Books For All

The “Books For All” initiative provides every resident of the UAE with greater access to books in an effort to spread the gift of knowledge and encourage the community to read more.

In partnership with Amal Education, Dubai Holding aims to create a sustainable culture of reading among the staff, residents and the wider community.

Book shelves with books on various topics are placed across some prominent public spaces within communities in Jumeirah Group, TECOM Group and Dubai Properties Group.

Visitors to the “Book for All” shelf can select any book of choice to read by the shelf, at a favourite bench or any other place that ignites their imagination. Book borrowers who have enjoyed reading a book from this shelf are encouraged to pay it forward and donate a book that someone else can also cherish.

Dubai Holding urges readers to keep this cycle of good karma going and contribute by offering their own books that may be looking for new readers. After all, reading is dreaming with open eyes.

Al Jalila Foundation

The Al Jalila Foundation is a global philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical education and research. Sharing Dubai Holding's vision of promoting health and wellness, the Foundation is the Strategic Wellness Partner for all of our wellness activities and initiatives.

With obesity recognised as one of the region’s priority health challenges, Dubai Holding has committed AED 5 million to the Foundation's Obesity Research Fund. As the official beneficiary of Dubai Holding’s wellness initiatives, the Foundation receives funding raised from high profile events including the annual Dubai Holding SkyRun and the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon.

Dubai Autism Centre

The Dubai Autism Center is a centre of excellence working to encourage a better understanding of autism and providing specialist support to individuals with autism and their families.

As part its social commitment to the UAE’s wider community, Dubai Holding donated AED 1 million to the Dubai Autism Centre campaign launched in 2013 in collaboration with Emarat Al Youm newspaper. The funds raised were used to resume development of Dubai Autism Centre’s new facilities to increase the centre’s capacity to 250, and help increase special-needs education in the UAE. The new facility is located on land in Al Garhoud area within the Deira district gifted by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Ruler of Dubai.

UAE Water Aid

The UAE Water Aid campaign was launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to ensure that five million people around the world have access to a regular supply of safe water.

Dubai Holding’s contribution of AED 5 million helps support 200,000 people in developing countries, to build wells, install pumps, and provide water purification equipment where it is needed most.

UAE National Football Team

Dubai Holding partnered with the UAE Football Association and sponsored the UAE national football team from 2005 to 2008 where we focused on promoting education, fan spirit and culture. As part of this initiative, Dubai Holding invited French football coach Guy Lacombe to share his vision with more than 100 UAE coaches from across the country.

Dubai Holding also symbolised support for the UAE football team during the 18th Gulf Cup in 2007, with the largest football jersey in the region signed by more than 20,000 people. It became one of the symbols of the Gulf Cup’s victory in the hearts of UAE fans.

Adopt a School - Gaza

TECOM Group works with Dubai Cares in supporting the development of Karameesh Kindergarten, a charitable pre-school established in Rafah, southern Gaza serving disadvantaged children in the community. Like many schools in the region, Karameesh suffered from neglected interior and exterior building structure, a lack of educational materials and play equipment, and inadequate teaching quality.

Through continued financial support, the Adopt a School programme has worked to provide a safe and stimulating environment, teacher training programmes, learning and play equipment, as well as out-of-school activities for the children and their caregivers.

Global Women's Forum Dubai

In line with Dubai Holding’s vision of nurturing homegrown talent, we formed a strategic partnership with the Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2016, the first international Women's Forum meeting in the MENA region. The event was organised by Dubai Women Establishment and Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society.

A truly innovative event, over 2,000 participants and 200 highly noteworthy speakers male and female, from all over the world attended to network and discuss women in business and society in the region.

Dubai Holding showed support to women in corporate and managerial positions, particularly in the eminent topic of Women on Boards.