Ministry of Community Empowerment Launches ‘Madar’ Programme to Strengthen Financial Independence for 7,500 Beneficiaries

Dubai: The Ministry of Community Empowerment has unveiled the “Madar” Social Empowerment Programme, a national initiative designed to facilitate the transition of social welfare beneficiaries into active contributors to community development. This comprehensive platform aims to enhance financial independence, improve quality of life, and promote long-term family stability.

Objectives of the Madar Programme

The Madar Programme is part of a broader national strategy focused on social and economic empowerment. It seeks to reduce dependency on social support by equipping individuals with the skills and opportunities necessary for sustainable employment. The initiative targets approximately 7,500 non-employed social welfare beneficiaries aged 21 to 54 who are capable of work.

The programme offers tailored empowerment tracks, including:

• Professional Empowerment Track: This track prepares beneficiaries for the labor market through training, skills development, and job placement support.
• Empowerment for Emirati Families Entrepreneurs Track: This component supports the establishment and growth of small and home-based businesses, enhancing household economic independence.
• Financial Literacy Track: This track aims to improve financial understanding among beneficiaries, further promoting self-reliance.

Commitment to Sustainable Development

Noor Abulhoul, Assistant Undersecretary of the Social Welfare and Empowerment Sector, emphasized that the Madar programme aligns with the UAE’s vision of investing in human capital. It aims to create an integrated development model that unlocks potential and expands opportunities for individuals.

The initiative reflects the Ministry’s dedication to developing sustainable social protection and empowerment programmes. By adopting innovative strategies, the programme aims to transform social support into a pathway for effective development, enhancing individuals’ contributions to the national economy.

Collaboration with Strategic Entities

The Madar Programme collaborates with various strategic entities, including the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council through the “Nafis” programme. This partnership is designed to equip UAE citizens with the necessary skills and readiness to meet labor market demands, facilitating their transition from reliance on social support to financial stability.

Flexibility and Inclusivity

The Professional Empowerment track has been designed with flexibility to accommodate the social and family circumstances of beneficiaries. Employment opportunities will be aligned with individual capabilities and personal situations, ensuring a supportive environment for long-term success. Key considerations include workplace proximity, with a maximum commuting distance of 100 kilometers, as well as the needs of custodial mothers and caregivers for family members with disabilities.

Abulhoul confirmed that social welfare benefits will continue to be disbursed until suitable employment opportunities matching beneficiaries’ qualifications become available. This commitment underscores the Ministry’s focus on empowering individuals to secure meaningful employment that fosters social and economic stability.

Comprehensive Empowerment Journey

Ahlam Al Ahmad, Director of the Social and Economic Empowerment Department, outlined the comprehensive empowerment journey initiated through the Professional Empowerment track. The process begins with enrollment and activation, serving as the foundation for beneficiaries to effectively engage with the programme.

Beneficiaries will complete registration and activation requirements, sign a commitment declaration, and register on the Nafis platform to create a professional profile. The journey progresses through various stages, including professional readiness assessment, capacity building, skills development, job matching, and ultimately achieving career stability and economic sustainability.

Monitoring and Support

Job stability is a critical indicator of successful professional empowerment, according to Al Ahmad. Beneficiaries will be nominated for positions based on the alignment of their qualifications with labor market needs. The programme guarantees that the total salary offered through employment opportunities will exceed the value of social welfare benefits received. If the salary is lower, beneficiaries have the right to decline the opportunity.

The Ministry will continue to support beneficiaries for a full year after they join the workforce, monitoring their progress to ensure sustained career advancement. This ongoing follow-up aims to strengthen long-term economic resilience and support continued professional growth. By tracking key indicators of job retention and stability, the Ministry seeks to maximize the impact of empowerment efforts and achieve sustainable developmental outcomes that benefit individuals, families, and society as a whole.

Source: www.emirates247.com

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Published on 2026-06-16 21:54:00 • By the Editorial Desk