Dubai: If you would like to volunteer in Abu Dhabi, the Emirate has introduced a volunteer licensing service, which is provided by the Department of Community Development.
Not only does getting a volunteering licence allow interested individuals to connect with organisations that have posted opportunities for volunteers, it also educates them about their rights and responsibilities.
So, if you would like to volunteer in Abu Dhabi, follow these steps:
1. Visit volunteers.ae/abudhabi
2. Click on ‘Registrations’ from the top menu.
3. Click on ‘Individual Volunteer’.
4. Enter your personal details like your first and last name, email address, gender, date of birth, nationality and Emirates ID number. If you would like to, you can also add specific skills that you have, which may help you volunteer in more specialised tasks.
5. Check on the box that confirms that you have read the volunteer undertaking and terms and conditions.
6. Click on register.
All documents will be subsequently reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and individuals deemed eligible to volunteer will be sent the licence by e-mail.
Once you have a volunteer licence, you can also look at the various volunteering opportunities that have been made available by government departments, under the ‘Opportunities’ tab.
There are different types of volunteering opportunities that you can choose from:
Traditional volunteering
Volunteering by individuals or entities that do not employ specialised skills and that require obtaining the necessary permits from the concerned authorities. This type of volunteering includes various activities like beach cleaning, orientation and sports training.
Volunteering in events
Volunteering in activities, events and initiatives for a specific occasion, such as the National Day, Special Olympics, Formula One, etc.
Institutional volunteering
Volunteering in which the organisation’s employees participate, whether from the public, private, or third sector, which is usually part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. These activities are usually charitable or community-based initiatives
Volunteering for social affairs
Volunteering to assist or support the efforts of a public, private, or third sector institution that is engaged in social welfare services, such as public care for the elderly.
Virtual volunteering
Volunteering activities that are performed remotely using the internet, in part or completely, such as online education, digital support for people of determination, establishing digital services to serve the community.
Specialist volunteering
Volunteering that relies on specialised skills that require obtaining necessary permits from the relevant authorities, including professionally-licensed persons, such as doctors, lawyers, engineers, consultants etc.
Volunteering in emergencies
Voluntary activities that are short-term or for a required period, to be exercised in emergency situations, crises and disasters.
Visitor volunteering
Volunteering of non-residents in the UAE in favour of specific entities or specific community issues in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
Overseas volunteers
Volunteering by UAE citizens or residents of the UAE, representing the Emirate of Abu Dhabi or the United Arab Emirates in volunteering activities abroad.
