At Dubai Holding, we are committed to supporting local communities through targeted philanthropy. Together with the government, entrepreneurs and communities we innovate for positive social and environmental change.

Dubai Holding believes that enterprise and innovation are key drivers of lasting social change and a sustainable future. During COP28, we launched the Innovate For Tomorrow Challenge, a global initiative aligned with UN SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production). The platform invited scale-up companies worldwide to present solutions addressing sustainability challenges in the UAE.

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This flagship global scale-up programme empowers entrepreneurs to deliver bold sustainability solutions. The accelerator reflects our commitment to advancing the UAE Circular Economy Policy 2031, the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative and UAE Vision 2071, by supporting innovators shaping a more resilient future.

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In collaboration with TECOM Group’s start-up and entrepreneurship incubator, in5, the challenge attracted over 150 submissions from 31 countries, including several from UAE-based innovators. After a rigorous selection process, five finalists from the UAE, Norway and the USA showcased their pioneering projects at the Pitch and Award Ceremony held in June 2024 at the Museum of the Future. Their solutions addressed critical issues such as upcycling plastic, agricultural waste and resource sharing.

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Norway's Othalo secured first place for its innovative method of transforming recycled plastic into sustainable housing materials. The runner-up, The Surpluss from the UAE, enables businesses to reduce waste by redirecting unused resources. Both winners received prizes to support their operations and joined in5’s start-up community for a year. Dubai Holding is collaborating with Othalo and The Surpluss on a pilot projects in 2025.

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The top ten finalists also benefitted from Dubai Holding’s network, pitching their innovations to investors and industry leaders during the Investor Pitch Day at GITEX Global’s Expand North Star event in October 2024.

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Innovate For Tomorrow Impact Accelerator 2025 Launch

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Learn more about the Innovate For Tomorrow Impact Accelerator and how we are accelerating innovation For the Good of Tomorrow.‍

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Now in its third year, Dubai Holding’s flagship philanthropic initiative Gift It Forward continues to transform surplus items from businesses into meaningful gifts for thousands of low-income beneficiaries in the UAE, driving collective sustainability impact.

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In partnership with the Community Development Authority (CDA), the initiative’s 2025 edition repurposed more than 315,000 brand-new items worth over AED 14 million, engaging more than 25 partners including brands across the Dubai Holding portfolio and diverting 85 tonnes of materials from landfill. These items included clothing and shoes, accessories, household items, books, electronics and more, which were transformed into gifts for over 16,000 individuals. The programme also mobilised over 1,500 volunteers from Dubai Holding and partner organisations, reinforcing awareness around responsible consumption and mindful giving. Read the initiative’s 2025 Impact Report here.

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The initiative has been recognised with multiple accolades, including the Best in Circular Economy Award at the 2025 Global ESG Awards, the Outstanding Initiative Award at the CDA’s Dubai Appreciation Award for Community Service 2024 and three awards at the 2024 Middle East Public Relations Awards (MEPRA).

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Building on the success of previous editions, Gift It Forward 2026 will continue to promote circular economy principles, reduce waste and foster a culture of generosity and environmental responsibility across the UAE. We have partnered with The Surpluss - an AI-powered B2B platform and winner of our Innovate for Tomorrow Challenge 2024 - that enables businesses to transform surplus materials and resources into new value streams. They have been appointed on behalf of Dubai Holding, as an official execution partner, to drive the entire process from collection and sorting to redistribution, streamlining operations and making it easier for businesses to contribute to meaningful social and environmental impact.

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If you are a business in the UAE, partner with us by sending an email to Rana@thesurpluss.com and be part of a growing circular ecosystem of generosity, one that creates shared value for people, communities and the planet. For any additional information about the initiative or to discuss your participation, please email philanthropy@dubaiholding.com.

Nakheel, part of Dubai Holding Real Estate, has partnered with the Dubai Reef project by Dubai Can and the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the world’s largest marine reef development. Spanning 600 km², this initiative involves deploying 20,000 purpose-built reef modules over three years. Launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, it aims to enhance biodiversity, protect coastal ecosystems and support aquatic research, regeneration and ecotourism, creating a sustainable future for marine life.

The Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project, the first initiative of its kind in the region, has been a cornerstone of marine wildlife conservation in the UAE. Celebrating 20 years in 2024, the programme has rescued, rehabilitated and released over 2,200 sea turtles - including Green turtles, Hawksbills, Loggerheads and Olive Ridleys - back into the Arabian Gulf.

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Rehabilitation begins with critical care at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab’s aquarium facilities before turtles are transferred to a sea-fed lagoon at Jumeirah Al Naseem. Here, they acclimatise to natural conditions and regain fitness for their return to the ocean. To date, 89 turtles have been equipped with satellite tracking technology, furthering research and conservation efforts.

Jumeirah Thanda Island, located in Tanzania’s Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, is dedicated to preserving marine biodiversity. Led by its marine biologist, the island supports research and restoration projects, identifying over 340 fish species, 34 coral genera and numerous invertebrates. Partnerships with Sea Sense and the Marine Megafauna Foundation focus on protecting endangered turtles and whale sharks, promoting sustainable development and community engagement. Meanwhile, Jumeirah Thanda Safari in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province leads conservation efforts across its 16,500-hectare reserve. Using advanced rhino tracking technology and monitoring cheetahs, elephants and predators, the reserve protects endangered species while supporting range expansion programmes and anti-poaching initiatives.

In 2024, TECOM Group partnered with Emirates Red Crescent to reintroduce The Good Store, a donation platform enabling individuals and organisations to contribute essential items like Ramadan food boxes, Iftar meals and Eid clothing. Through pop-ups, roaming trollies and grocery store takeovers, the initiative united communities, raising AED 133,695 and reaching 8.9 million people, driving meaningful impact during Ramadan.