ABU DHABI: The Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, the Abu Dhabi Government’s official channel for receiving social contributions, has announced the release of its 2023 Impact Report, highlighting the authority’s achievements and community impact across a range of sectors and various community groups.
The report showcases the authority’s efforts in collaborating with the government, private, and social sectors to enable the community to actively participate and contribute towards developing sustainable solutions to pressing social priorities.
Through social contributions, volunteering, and enabling the social sector to provide services, the authority transparently allocates and deploys community contributions towards projects that address social priorities in Abu Dhabi, making a tangible impact on the community.
Faisal Alhmoudi, Executive Director of the Social Investment Fund at the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, said, ‘The achievements outlined in the 2023 Impact Report are a testament t
o our collective efforts in generating genuine positive impact and boosting community contributions across various sectors to foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity.
‘With 100 percent of contributions from the community deployed directly to social projects that target social priorities and improve the lives of many, together with our partners, we are working closer towards our common goal to build a cohesive community that looks after its own.’
Aligned with the Government of Abu Dhabi’s ongoing commitment to sustainable social development, the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an supported 57 projects in 2023, allocating an impressive AED91 million across various sectors and benefiting more than 430,459 individuals.
The authority is dedicated to supporting the community and raising awareness about pressing social priorities in the capital, evidenced by the substantial rise in contributions received in 2023. Since 2021, community contributors have significantly increased, with contributions reachin
g AED16.4 million in 2023, compared to AED2.3 million in 2021.
The Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an enables corporates to achieve their CSR goals by providing a platform to contribute to social projects in line with their vision. From AED1.6 million in 2021, corporate contributions grew remarkably to AED34.2 million by the end of 2023, further reinforcing the positive impact and success of these projects.
Salem Ali Al Shamsi, Executive Director of Social Incubation and Contracting at the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, said, ‘By fostering partnerships with the public, private, and social sectors, the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an is empowering the community of the Third Sector, non-profits, and social enterprises to address pressing social priorities in Abu Dhabi. Last year marked a significant milestone in our efforts to nurture the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the capital. We have enabled a growing number of social entrepreneurs by providing them with guidance, financial suppo
rt, and mentorship, leading to a significant rise in social enterprises fully equipped to support members of the Abu Dhabi community.
‘Moreover, we enable non-profit organisations by equipping them with the resources, incentives, and support needed to develop offerings and improve the quality of services and initiatives aimed at achieving a sustainable and tangible social impact.’
In 2023, the authority initiated three Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) and 11 social impact contracts worth more than AED47 million, in collaboration with 21 partners from the private, public, and Third Sectors, benefiting more than 10,993 service users.
Additionally, the Ma’an Social Incubator (MSI) has successfully launched eight cohorts focusing on social challenges such as people of determination, mental wellbeing, financial literacy, family cohesion, and the environment. The incubator supports the next wave of social entrepreneurs through funding, networking, and mentorship. The MSI incubated a total of 84 startups, of which 23 w
ere incubated in 2023, and certified 42 social enterprises, which benefitted from AED22.1 million in grants and seed funding, alongside a comprehensive package of incubation support. Together, they successfully delivered services and support to at least 119,000 beneficiaries.
By building the capabilities of volunteers through its community engagement programme and nurturing entrepreneurs through its social incubator, the authority is committed to enhancing the potential of individuals in the capital.
Maysa Alnuwais, Executive Director of the Community Engagement and Volunteering Sector at the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, said, ‘Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions from the private sector have proved essential in driving forward projects and initiatives to create meaningful and measurable change. By providing an unparalleled opportunity for corporates across Abu Dhabi to simplify and achieve their CSR goals, we were able to greatly magnify the potential reach and impact of their i
ndividual corporate social investments.
‘Additionally, through our extensive volunteering programmes, we have mobilised many community members to take action and drive tangible and sustainable social impact across Abu Dhabi.
‘The achievements of 2023 demonstrate our ability to unite both community efforts and corporate resources to deliver sustainable solutions. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient Abu Dhabi – one where every contribution plays a pivotal role in shaping a brighter, more inclusive future.’
Source: Emirates News Agency