UAE Year Of Award: A New National Platform Celebrating Lasting Impact

The United Arab Emirates has announced the launch of the UAE Year Of Award, a new national recognition platform established under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. Designed to preserve the legacy of the annual UAE Year initiatives, the Award aims to recognize individuals and organizations whose work creates meaningful, measurable, and lasting impact across society.

Unlike traditional awards that celebrate isolated achievements, the UAE Year Of Award seeks to transform the spirit of each annual national theme into a permanent framework for community engagement, innovation, and social contribution.

A Vision for Sustainable National Impact

The Award is overseen by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, together with H.H. Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairperson of the Presidential Court for National Projects.

Its mission is clear: to ensure that the values promoted through the UAE Year initiatives continue to inspire future generations through practical action rather than remaining symbolic annual campaigns.

Three Core Pillars

The UAE Year Of Award is built around three guiding principles:

Impact – recognizing initiatives that produce tangible benefits for society.

Sustainability – encouraging projects whose influence continues long after implementation.

Inspiration – celebrating stories that motivate others to contribute to their communities.

Together, these pillars reinforce the UAE's long-term vision of fostering an engaged, responsible, and collaborative society.

Five Award Categories

The inaugural edition introduces five categories that acknowledge contributions from different sectors:

* Main Award

* Collective Contribution

* Government Champion

* Private Sector Champion

* Civil Sector Champion

This inclusive structure ensures that excellence can be recognized regardless of whether it originates from government institutions, private enterprises, civil society organizations, or community initiatives.

Applications Now Open

Applications for the first edition of the UAE Year Of Award are officially open.

Families are invited to submit inspiring personal stories, while organizations can register impactful initiatives through the official UAE Year platform. The application period remains open until 10 September 2026.

The inaugural edition is being organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Family, reflecting the importance of this year's national theme and highlighting the central role of families in building resilient and cohesive communities.

A Legacy Beyond Recognition

Perhaps the most distinctive aspect of the UAE Year Of Award is its ambition to create a permanent national framework for recognizing social impact. Rather than existing as a one-time celebration, the Award establishes an annual evaluation and recognition programme that will continue to strengthen the legacy of every UAE Year theme.

By rewarding initiatives that generate lasting change, the programme encourages citizens, residents, institutions, and organizations to become active partners in shaping the country's future.

Looking Ahead

The launch of the UAE Year Of Award reflects the UAE's continued commitment to cultivating a culture of contribution, innovation, and shared responsibility. Through its emphasis on impact, sustainability, and inspiration, the Award is expected to become one of the nation's most significant platforms for recognizing those whose work strengthens communities and contributes to the country's long-term development.

As applications open for the inaugural edition, the initiative offers an opportunity for changemakers across the UAE to showcase projects and stories that embody the nation's vision of collective progress and lasting positive impact.

Source: WamNews Instagram