The new NPO Empowerment Fund will offer both seed and scale funding to help reinforce community cohesion and national priorities.
Thursday, 16 April 2026
The UAE’s Ministry of Community Empowerment has announced the launch of its AED 100 million NPO Empowerment Fund, in a move to aiming to strengthen the role of public benefit organisations as active partners in community development and to advance the national priorities.
The Fund is designed to support non-profit organisations (NPOs) at different stages of maturity. Newly established NPOs can apply for Seed Stage Funding of up to AED 500,000 to build operational capacity and establish strong foundations for their work.
More established organisations, meanwhile, may access Scale Funding of up to AED 5 million to expand programmes and deepen their overall impact.
The initiative is part of a wider UAE government commitment to position the non-profit sector as a key partner in delivering impactful, community-based initiatives across the country.
In its first funding cycle, the Fund will prioritise initiatives that:
Funding will be available across a range of priority areas, including education, health and wellbeing, community development, individual and family support, NPO enablement and volunteering, as well as environment and animal welfare.
"Nonprofit organisations play a vital role in fostering community cohesion and supporting national priorities."
Shamma Al Mazrui, UAE Minister of Community Empowerment
"The NPO Empowerment Fund reflects the UAE leadership’s vision to strengthen resilience across our society and reinforce the values of togetherness and solidarity that define our nation," explained Shamma Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Empowerment.
“Non-profit organisations play a vital role in fostering community cohesion and supporting national priorities, and this Fund enables them to deliver impactful initiatives that bring people together and contribute to a more resilient and united society.”
Applications will be assessed through a structured evaluation process led by a specialised committee within the Ministry, based on three core criteria: organisational capacity, impact potential, and financial feasibility. Shortlisted applicants may be invited to present their proposals as part of the review process.
The Ministry has invited all UAE‑registered non-profit organisations to apply and benefit from the Fund, which serves as a strategic platform to further strengthen the non-profit sector’s contribution to community development.
The first application window is open until 31 May 2026, with eligible organisations able to submit proposals through the Fund’s dedicated digital platform.
To find out more about the new fund and how to register as an NPO with the Ministry of Community Empowerment, click here.
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