New Abu Dhabi Programme Aims to Boost Family Livelihoods

My Family Innovates, a new programme from the Authority of Social Contribution, Ma’an, part of the Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi, offers families running home-based businesses a structured path toward stronger, more sustainable livelihoods. The initiative is timed to align with the UAE Year of Family.

Its stated aim is to reach 150 individuals across the emirate, helping productive families turn household enterprises into businesses that can compete in the market and endure over time. The goal, according to the authority, is to build capabilities, strengthen confidence and open the door to greater economic and social participation, with the benefits reaching participants’ families as well.

The programme is open to productive families and members of the wider community at different stages of their business journey. Low-income families and People of Determination sit at the centre of the initiative’s reach.

For participants, the practical offer is a set of skills that many small home businesses often lack. Training covers entrepreneurship, business management, branding and digital marketing, the use of artificial intelligence tools, and market readiness. Delivery is a shared effort, with partners drawn from different sectors working alongside the authority.

What sets the programme apart is the role given to volunteers, who provide hands-on experiences meant to encourage innovation, creativity and community engagement. The authority frames this as a way of strengthening a culture of volunteering and active participation across the community, so that the learning itself becomes a form of social contribution.

By combining learning, mentorship and community involvement, the programme is intended to reinforce families’ independence and enable them to contribute more actively to the social and economic development of Abu Dhabi. According to the authority, this collaborative approach helps families adapt to emerging opportunities, build stronger and more sustainable businesses, and play a meaningful part in the development of their communities. Further details on the launch are available at https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/community/authority-of-social-contribution-maan-launches-my-family-innovates-programme-to-empower-productive-families-in-abu-dhabi/

The launch sits within a broader portfolio of family-focused programmes run by the authority, and reflects what it describes as an investment in the foundations of strong and resilient families. The stated goal is to create opportunities that enhance quality of life, strengthen self-reliance and contribute to the UAE’s wider social development priorities.

His Excellency Abdullah Al Ameri, Director General of the Authority of Social Contribution, Ma’an, placed families at the centre of the rationale. “Strong families are at the heart of thriving communities, and empowering families with the skills and opportunities to adapt, innovate and contribute is an important part of building a resilient society,” he said. “Through My Family Innovates, we are creating an environment where families can learn from one another, develop practical capabilities and turn their potential into tangible, positive action. The programme also reflects the spirit of the UAE Year of Family by bringing communities together around shared opportunities for growth, learning and contribution.”

With its blend of practical skills, volunteerism and community participation, My Family Innovates represents the authority’s continued effort to foster an active culture of social contribution, while creating space for families to play a greater role in shaping positive outcomes within their communities. Whether the 150 targeted participants can translate that training into lasting enterprises will be the measure of its success.