Dubai’s Community Development Authority (CDA) has launched the third phase of its Ethraa initiative, a program designed to enhance the sustainability, governance, and effectiveness of non-profit organisations operating in the city. The programme aligns with Dubai’s Social Agenda 33, which prioritizes social development and improved quality of life.
This year’s phase will engage 144 organisations under the CDA’s supervision, including 119 licensed charities and 25 entities established by government decrees. The initiative, carried out in partnership with the Dubai Quality Group, involves comprehensive assessments that evaluate organisations based on governance, administrative, technical, and financial standards to promote institutional excellence.
Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid, director general of the CDA, underscored the significance of the initiative in advancing Dubai’s development vision focused on community wellbeing. She remarked that Ethraa’s third phase embodies the leadership’s commitment to human empowerment and social cohesion.
The evaluation framework of the Ethraa programme is based on three pillars: institutional empowerment and governance, human and social capital sustainability, and performance excellence. Participating organisations will be considered for the Ethraa Excellence Awards, with Gold, Silver, and Bronze categories recognizing outstanding performance. The assessment process will extend over the coming months, culminating with the awards ceremony scheduled for November.
Several organisations returning to the programme cited the initiative’s value in driving continuous improvement. The Pakistan Association Dubai, a previous Gold award winner, emphasized the platform’s role in fostering performance enhancement. Khalid Imtiaz, joint secretary of the association, noted that Ethraa motivates ongoing innovation and allows the organisation to benchmark and elevate its operations.
Similarly, the AKCAF Association, representing alumni from over 100 colleges in Kerala, India, is participating actively this year after not completing its submission in the previous cycle. Paul Joseph, president of AKCAF, expressed enthusiasm about the government-backed recognition and the association’s goal of achieving a Gold award.
The Filipino Social Club, which earned a Platinum rating in the inaugural cycle, also continues its involvement. Secretary Christian Belleza highlighted that community service remains the organisation’s key drive, with efforts extending beyond its Filipino membership to assist other nationalities in need.
The Ethraa initiative reflects Dubai’s broader strategy to fortify its third sector, nurturing organisations that contribute to the city’s social fabric through enhanced institutional capacity and community impact.