Sharjah volunteer award board discusses plans for new cycle

The meeting was chaired by Her Excellency Mariam Majid Al Shamsi, Chairperson of the Board, in the presence of board members Dr Jassim Al Hammadi, Secretary-General of the Award; Hamid Ali Al Abbar Al Shamsi; Dr Musabah Saeed Al Ajid Al Ketbi; Iman Rashid Saif; and Fatima Mousa Al Bloushi.

Agenda focused on organisational and technical arrangements

During the meeting, the board discussed the items on its agenda, including approval of organisational and technical arrangements for the new cycle, updating nomination criteria, participation rules, and evaluation mechanisms. They also reviewed the award’s charter, categories, and fields in line with recent developments, ensuring the award keeps pace with modern volunteer work and maintains the highest standards of transparency and accuracy in participant evaluation.

Review of previous achievements

The board also reviewed reports on the award’s performance in previous cycles, highlighting successes in attracting individual volunteers and institutional participants from across the emirates, and commending the committees that helped strengthen the award’s reputation.

The board affirmed that the Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work, under the generous patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, serves as a leading platform to honour volunteers’ efforts and promote a culture of humanitarian giving, reflecting the emirate’s vision of making voluntary work a cornerstone of sustainable community development.

Development and innovation in the new cycle

The board noted that the new cycle will see enhanced incentives and recognition mechanisms, covering a wider range of individual volunteers and institutions. The focus will also be on innovation in voluntary work and harnessing youth potential to serve the community, creating a social environment that encourages initiative and creativity.

A public campaign will soon be launched to familiarise the community with award categories, criteria, and participation requirements in preparation for the official opening of nominations. The 23rd cycle is expected to represent a significant leap in performance, engagement, and content, in line with the leadership’s directives to strengthen giving, promote volunteering, and institutionalise volunteer work.

Next steps and final arrangements

At the conclusion of the meeting, the board expressed appreciation for efforts made so far and commended achievements that have enhanced the award’s profile and contribution to volunteering. They confirmed that the upcoming phase will see further collaboration and partnerships with various institutions and voluntary bodies to achieve the award’s objectives and expand participation to include new models of humanitarian and community giving.

The board also directed the completion of final preparations for the launch of the new cycle, paving the way for an official announcement soon, marking a new phase of structured institutional work.