The Third Sector Awards are structured across four main domains, each encompassing a set of categories designed to reflect the diversity and breadth of the sector in Abu Dhabi.
These domains and their respective sub-categories are designed to recognize both new and established entities, groups as well as initiatives, ensuring a broad and inclusive celebration of achievements.
Domain 1: Not-for-Profit Organizations (NFPs)
This domain recognizes non-profit organizations that demonstrate excellence in governance, operations, and social impact across three categories:
- NFP of the Year
Recognizes established non-profit organizations that demonstrate sustained operational excellence and strong institutional performance. - Most Impactful NFP
Recognizes not-for-profit organizations that have delivered significant and measurable social impact within the community. - Rising NFP of the Year
Recognizes emerging not-for-profit organizations that demonstrate strong potential through effective operations, focused efforts, and innovative approaches.
Domain 2: Social Enterprises (SEs)
This domain recognizes social enterprises that successfully integrate business models with social impact, demonstrating strong performance, sustainability, and contribution to the community across two categories:
- Social Enterprise of the Year
Recognizes social enterprises that demonstrate outstanding operational performance, sustainable growth, and a strong expansion of their social contribution. - Most Impactful Social Enterprise
Recognizes social enterprises that deliver significant and measurable social impact while effectively balancing business success.
Domain 3: Volunteering
This domain celebrates the role of volunteering in strengthening community cohesion and advancing social development. It recognizes excellence across both collective efforts and the design of impactful volunteering initiatives through two categories:
- Volunteering Team of the Year
Recognizes teams of volunteers who have made outstanding collective contributions to a specific cause or community initiative. - Volunteering Opportunity of the Year
Recognizes entities that design and deliver high-quality, engaging, and impactful volunteering opportunities.
Domain 4: AI for Social Impact
This domain recognizes entities that leverage advanced technologies to enhance effectiveness, scale impact, and address social challenges within the third sector.
- AI-Powered Entity of the Year
Recognizes entities that strategically utilize Artificial Intelligence to improve efficiency, expand their reach, and deliver measurable social impact.