Established by the Department of Community Development in February 2019, the Authority of social Contribution – Ma’an has been bringing the government, private sector, and civil society together to help drive social innovation and build a culture of social contribution and participation while aiming to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as one of the best global destinations to work and live in.
Driven by creating social impact and making a positive difference in the everyday lives of AbuDhabi residents and citizens, Ma’an aims to support and accelerate the growth of the third sector, creating meaningful opportunities for not-for-profit organizations or foundations and social enterprises to contribute to the development of strong, active and connected communities.
Ma’an is part of Abu Dhabi’s development accelerator initiative ‘Ghadan 21’ and overall social development framework, which aims to help grow Abu Dhabi’s economy and positively impact people’s lives.
Ma’an has five main pillars of work when delivering solutions for the social challenges that are being faced today in Abu Dhabi.
These are:
• Social Investment Fund
• Social Incubator Programme
• Community Engagement Programme
• Social Impact Bonds
• Outreach Management
Guided by these pillars, Ma’an collaborates with various stakeholders across Abu Dhabi, utilizing their expertise and knowledge to launch ground-breaking programs and projects to help achieve sustainable, well-defined, and measurable social impact.
By taking a pro-active approach and working alongside valued partners, Ma’an is helping channel financial contributions towards a common good by encouraging a culture of giving, raising funds, fostering community engagement through volunteering, and establishing Abu Dhabi as a social entrepreneurial hub.
Community engagement is informing, incentivising and supporting individuals,public, private and third sector organisations to collaborate, innovate, and create initiatives to serve social challenges.
Currently, the Community Engagement pillar at Ma’an runs volunteering programs that addresses social priorities, specific to Abu Dhabi.
The Ma’an Social Investment Fund is Abu Dhabi’s official government channel to receive contributions from the public sector, private sector and community to tackle the most pressing social challenges identified in the Emirate.
The Fund’s investment decisions are aligned with the priorities of the Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi.
Ma’an seeks to boost the engagement of Abu Dhabi’s community in creating measurable and sustainable social impact.
Through igniting and leading an open dialogue around Abu Dhabi’s social challenges and vision for the future to foster a culture of shared social responsibility, using behavioral insights to inspire companies and individuals to be part of new social solutions through both fundraising and volunteerism.
Ma’an Social Impact Bonds employ an innovative “pay for outcomes” financial model to fund solutions to highly complex, long lasting and deeply rooted social challenges that have a measurable financial impact on our society.
Ma’an Social Impact Bonds are the first of its kind in the region that enable the private sector and individuals to invest in and contract for the delivery of public services that provide measurable impacts on these significantly and costly social challenges. Return on investment for companies and individuals is directly correlated to measurable social and financial outcomes by making a positive impact on issues that have a direct cost to our society
Ma’an Social Incubator
The Ma’an Social Incubator (MSI) is a social impact incubator in Abu Dhabi that is devoted to encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship to develop solutions to social, cultural, or environmental challenges. Twice a year, MSI will host 10 promising teams and provide them with the resources and support they need in order to grow and thrive. Team will be offered investments and a stipend, learning and development, mentorship, and networking opportunities. It is a unique chance for budding entrepreneurs to develop their innovative ideas for social impact into a social enterprise or not-for-profit association.
Ma’an Social Accelerator
Ma’an’s Accelerator Programme aims to empower existing social enterprises to achieve business growth and elevated impact through its 3-month initiative, ensuring social services are provided to the wider community
The programme seeks to provide comprehensive support for business expansion and scale-up to social enterprises that are revenue generating with a validated business model
Ma’an’s Accelerator Programme is a personalised programme with workshops and trainings, tailored to the participant’s needs
Ma’an Grants
The Ma’an Grants Programme is an initiative in which eligible social organizations and not-for-profits can apply for financial assistance to build and grow their organization. Grants are provided to value-driven organizations that require financial support to increase their positive social impact, addressing the social priorities of the Emirate. The Authority will collaborate with successful Grant recipients from the year-round open application to ensure the organizations make a sustainable and measurable impact.
Ma’an believes in a community where the power of collaboration drives inclusive growth.
We are deeply rooted in the inspiring heritage of our founding father H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s values of humanitarian aid, philanthropy and societal progress. His guiding principles of generosity, inclusiveness and charting new territories, have shaped this nation. Following in his footsteps, H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, continues the journey of generosity, inclusiveness and prosperity, where everyone belongs.
We are committed to building on this legacy with our values of giving, community spirit, creative entrepreneurship, collaboration and responsibility.
Ma’an looks beyond the horizon to help transform society where social capital, shared value and shared responsibility become an intrinsic thread in our social fabric.
It is our belief that people have an innate desire to make a difference in society. We know that philanthropy is at the heart of Abu Dhabi’s society and our goal is to move from a charitable to a more developmental approach, promoting a vibrant and formalized third sector and active civil society.
We will form a bridge between all sectors in society, encouraging the birth of new ideas, ground-breaking solutions and multi-stakeholder engagement. We will apply leading innovative solutions and relevant market mechanisms to empower projects with a clear impact on social needs.
As well as partnering with government entities to prioritize and steer funds for programs that serve the city’s social needs, we will motivate the private sector and public to engage with us to incubate new ideas that grow into fully-fledged non-profit associations and social enterprises.
Our journey has just begun, and we are excited and passionate about bringing together Abu Dhabi society to deliver solutions for the common good.
Our brand identity symbolizes the interconnecting water channels that make up the Falaj, the ancient irrigation system in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi. Sharing responsibility for the Falaj, the community took turns to look after and maintain their small section of the irrigation system. Working together, each individual action became one great outcome and the whole community shared in the wealth brought by fresh water.
Terms and Conditions. © 2023 Authority of Social Contribution - Ma'an. All rights reserved.
Follow us:
