Abu Dhabi Department Opens Enrollment for Youth Civic Engagement Initiative
Government department launches mentorship program for young Emiratis with structured learning modules.
REGISTRATION OPENS FOR QUDWATI PROGRAMME TARGETING EMIRATI YOUTH
The Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi has opened registration for the Qudwati programme, a structured initiative designed to equip young Emirati citizens with knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed for informed decision-making in personal, social, and professional contexts. The programme reflects the department’s mandate around youth development, human capital investment, and social cohesion as governance priorities.
The initiative operates as an interactive platform connecting Emirati youth aged 18 to 24 with experienced professionals and retirees through structured dialogue sessions and workshops. The department has selected participating professionals according to thematic focus areas, ensuring participants gain exposure to accumulated expertise and real-world experience. This intergenerational knowledge transfer model addresses what the department identifies as a gap in systematic mentorship and experiential learning for young adults navigating major life decisions.
During its pilot phase, the programme concentrates on three core thematic areas: character development and psychological resilience; analytical thinking and financial decision-making; and preparation for marriage and family formation. Each theme reflects the department’s assessment of developmental priorities for the target demographic.
The workshops are delivered in collaboration with multiple strategic partners, including Medeem, the National Academy for Childhood Development, Al Maryah Community Bank, the National Initiative for Financial Sustainability and Wellbeing (Zoud), the Abu Dhabi Pension Fund, and the Department of Government Enablement. This multi-agency coordination, spanning government institutions and regulated financial entities, signals a deliberate whole-of-government approach to the programme’s objectives.
The programme runs for two months beginning in September 2026. Eligibility criteria require applicants to be Emirati nationals residing in Abu Dhabi, between 18 and 24 years old, and willing to commit to full participation in all sessions. The department also mandates completion of pre- and post-assessment activities, establishing a built-in accountability mechanism for measuring programme impact and outcomes.
Dr Laila Al Hayas, Executive Director of the Family and Child Welfare Sector at the Department of Community Development, framed the initiative as aligned with UAE leadership’s vision of investing in human development and building a cohesive society grounded in national values. She emphasized that the programme creates structured opportunities for knowledge exchange between generations, with the stated aim of producing young people who are more confident, aware, and capable of making responsible decisions across their lives.
Al Hayas noted that the department’s approach reflects a commitment to designing initiatives responsive to evolving societal needs while enhancing quality of life for individuals and families. She identified experienced professionals and retirees as a “valuable national asset” whose lived experience and knowledge can guide younger generations, broaden perspectives, and support navigation of life’s opportunities and challenges.
Meanwhile, the executive director stated that the programme is intended to strengthen intergenerational connections, reinforce social cohesion, promote national identity and social responsibility, and empower young people to contribute meaningfully to Abu Dhabi’s continued community development.
Eligible Emirati youth may register through the Department of Community Development’s official channels. The department will contact successful applicants following the close of the registration period. Additional information and registration details are available through the department’s official website. Whether the mandatory pre- and post-assessments will produce publicly reported outcomes data remains a question the department has yet to address.
Q&A
What is the Qudwati programme and what is its primary objective?
Qudwati is a structured initiative launched by the Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi designed to equip young Emirati citizens aged 18-24 with knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed for informed decision-making in personal, social, and professional contexts through intergenerational dialogue and workshops.
What accountability mechanisms has the department built into the program?
The department has mandated completion of pre- and post-assessment activities as built-in accountability mechanisms for measuring programme impact and outcomes, though it has not yet addressed whether these assessments will produce publicly reported outcomes data.
Which government institutions and strategic partners are involved in delivering the program?
The program operates through multi-agency coordination involving the Department of Community Development, Department of Government Enablement, Abu Dhabi Pension Fund, Medeem, the National Academy for Childhood Development, Al Maryah Community Bank, and the National Initiative for Financial Sustainability and Wellbeing (Zoud).
What are the eligibility requirements and program timeline for applicants?
Applicants must be Emirati nationals residing in Abu Dhabi, between 18 and 24 years old, and willing to commit to full participation in all sessions. The program runs for two months beginning in September 2026, with registration through the Department of Community Development's official channels.