The Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi (DCD) has announced extension of the first phase of the Wyakom initiative until May 31. The online platform was launched in March, in partnership with Al Tawajud Al Baladi, to empower members of the community to address pressing social challenges. The first phase focuses on the Khalifa City community.
The decision on extending the first phase was taken on the back of an overwhelming response from community members.
Her Excellency Dr. Laila Abdel Aziz Al Hayas, Executive Director of the Monitoring and Social Innovation Sector at DCD, said that the Wyakom platform attracted about 80 promising ideas encompassing five areas that influence the quality of life of community members, such work-life balance, personal safety and security, housing, social communication, and self-wellbeing. She added that the initiative is one among many to be launched to better identify social issues and crowdsource innovative solutions, in alignment with the department’s vision to provide a decent life for all members of society.
The ideas submitted through the platform included 11 on housing-related issues, 33 on social communication, 16 on self-wellbeing, 12 related to work-life balance, and 8 on personal safety and security. All these ideas will be evaluated by an expert committee.
Her Excellency Al Hayas added: "The aim of launching the Wyakom platform is to build bridges of communication between individuals, society and the social sector, so as to enable decisionmakers to get a better understanding of priority issues and find effective solutions to them”.
She thanked all those who submitted ideas. The first three winners will each receive financial rewards and certificates of appreciation, apart from being recognised on social media. The winning ideas will be implemented in partnership with the relevant stakeholders.
The Wyakom platform is tool to measure the pulse of the Abu Dhabi society, identify and solve social challenges. Those who wish to contribute to this initiative and learn more about it can visit the website, https://wyakom.addcd.gov.ae.