Community development is a shared responsibility within society. The Department of Community Development plays a central role in organising and coordinating the contribution made by individuals, governmental entities, NGOs, and private corporations.
We are guided by our vision to enrich the community of Abu Dhabi and the UAE, to ultimately provide a dignified life for all. The Department is responsible for policy-making and for developing, organising, and reinforcing social programmes, which involves coordination with our partners to monitor, track, and address social trends in the emirate.
The Department’s organisational role includes creating the legal framework for establishing places of worship, community associations, clubs and sports establishments, along with setting the standards for licensing, inspection, and auditing of these entities. The Department also makes recommendations to the Executive Council on the action that needs to be taken to support various groups of people in need.
Alongside our organisational role, the Department of Community Development works to support and stimulate investments and innovation in the social sector by developing policies, while spreading awareness about social involvement and contributions to society by large.
The Department’s mandate also extends to developing the policies needed to get more people involved in sports, while supporting local athletes and promoting their talents locally and internationally.
The Department of Community Development works alongside the Executive Council to support the most vulnerable groups in the emirate by creating the framework and mechanisms needed to provide them with the right kind of support. Similarly, the Department helps to develop the policies and standards for foster children in the region, setting terms and conditions that all involved must follow.
The Department is also responsible for various other specialities and missions assigned by the Executive Council to be a part of our mandate.