The United Arab Emirates has emerged as a regional leader in volunteering, driven by strong government initiatives and growing corporate engagement. National strategies and digital volunteering platforms are encouraging greater civic participation, while organizations are increasingly integrating employee volunteering into their broader social impact efforts.

Key Highlights

• The UAE ranks 1st in individual volunteering participation among leading Middle Eastern economies, positioning it as a regional leader in volunteerism
• Volunteering hours grew significantly in 2024, increasing by 95% to over 1,709,177 hours of recorded volunteer work
• Corporate volunteering participation stands at 37%, surpassing the UAE national average of 23%, highlighting strong employee engagement in corporate-led initiatives
• Government support is a key driver, with voluntary work forming a cornerstone of the national Community Strategy and supported by six strategic initiatives, including incentive programs and dedicated volunteering platforms
• Corporate volunteering programs are developing, with 70% of the top 25 companies headquartered in the UAE implementing structured initiatives. However, none currently offer Volunteer Time Off (VTO) as a formal policy
• Employees prefer in-person volunteering, with 60% of events conducted in person, while Q4 sees the highest participation, averaging 51 volunteers per event

• Corporate Volunteering in the UAE – How businesses contribute to national volunteering goals
• Employee Engagement & Participation – Key trends shaping workforce involvement
• Leading Social Causes & CSR Impact – Popular volunteering initiatives and their impact
• Case Studies – How companies in the UAE are scaling volunteering programs‍
• Future Outlook – Emerging trends in corporate social responsibility in the UAE