The Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi, the regulatory body for the social sector in the emirate, has announced the third edition of the "Partners in Impact" - Third Sector Forum, scheduled for November 18 at the Abu Dhabi Energy Center, Organized in partnership with ADNOC this event reflects the department's commitment to empowering third sector entities in advancing societal progress and enhancing the quality of life for individuals.
The forum will focus on enhancing knowledge and addressing key opportunities and challenges through a series of dialogue sessions featuring local and international speakers. Topics will focus on empowering the third sector and building its capabilities and skills in line with best international practices.
For the first time, the forum will host a Third Sector Awards ceremony to highlight the outstanding efforts of distinguished third sector entities and to guide organizations and individuals aiming to make a positive social impact. By celebrating and honoring these achievements, the awards aim to build trust in the third sector as a powerful contributor to social impact, while also promoting a culture of participation, innovation, and social responsibility.
This year’s Third Sector Awards feature six main categories: NFP of the Year, Most Impactful NFP, Social Enterprise of the Year, Most Impactful Social Enterprise, Volunteering Team of the Year, and CSR Initiative of the Year.
His Excellency Mohamed Helal Al Balooshi, Executive Director of the Community Engagement and Sports Sector at the Department of Community Development, said: “The Partners in Impact Forum provides an annual opportunity to highlight the vital role of the third sector in realizing Abu Dhabi’s vision of a supportive environment that empowers public benefit organizations and strengthens their role in enhancing quality of life.”
Al Balooshi added, “The third edition of the Third Sector Forum will feature the announcement of the Third Sector Awards winners, providing a platform to celebrate the contributions of the third sector in driving sustainable development, alongside volunteer teams. The award also honors outstanding achievements in social responsibility and their positive impact on society.”
Al Balooshi revealed that a committee of specialists from various federal and local institutions has been formed to review and evaluate the entries, selecting those that qualify for the final stage. This approach underscores the department’s commitment to awarding the prize to the most distinguished entries based on expert evaluations.
It will also feature a series of dialogue sessions focused on strategies to empower the third sector in creating a meaningful positive impact on society. Topics will include strengthening partnerships between third-sector institutions and the public and private sectors, adopting innovative and sustainable approaches to enhance the third sector’s role, promoting concepts of cooperation and social solidarity, and fostering an environment that encourages volunteering and community engagement.
The forum will focus on the third sector's role in enhancing the lives of individuals, fostering innovation, and meeting societal needs. As well as the importance of social entrepreneurship, the role of corporate social responsibility in addressing societal challenges, foundational practices for developing projects with social objectives, and strategies for building the capabilities of third sector entities.