Student teams in Oman have collectively raised over RO 1 million for community causes through the tenth edition of the Big Giving Competition, organized annually by Dar Al Atta’a Association. The competition, which targets university and college students, aims to encourage volunteerism and community engagement within higher education institutions.

This year, the event saw more than 50 teams register, with 23 advancing to the final phase and involving approximately 600 student volunteers. Each team was provided with an initial grant of RO 500 and given six months to develop projects designed to multiply that amount through community fundraising. After the project period, teams presented their initiatives before an evaluation committee that selected 13 winners. Several teams were disqualified for failing to meet the competition’s volunteerism requirements.

The competition introduced new evaluation criteria this year, expanding from four to six measures: highest fundraising achievement, creativity, professional implementation, impact, sustainability, and organizational excellence.

Maryam bint Issa al Zadjali, Founder and Chairperson of Dar Al Atta’a Association, said the overall results “are always remarkable,” highlighting that the participating teams raised a combined total of RO 1,004,000. She noted that many initiatives went beyond traditional volunteer projects, citing examples such as a team that launched a perfume product called Nafas and others that created sustainability-focused ventures or social enterprises.

Several projects are expected to continue independently beyond the competition, with some potentially evolving into small enterprises. Al Zadjali emphasized that the competition encourages long-term engagement, citing teams that have remained active over a four-year span, including participants who have graduated but continue their volunteer work.

Among the standout accomplishments was a team that successfully built two houses for families in need. Initiatives also reached hospitals, children requiring care, elderly populations, and diverse community groups, demonstrating a broad social impact.

Originally proposed by board member Shatha Abbas, the Big Giving Competition experienced a pause during the Covid-19 pandemic before resuming in 2023. Organizers said they hope to expand the event in the future to include community groups and other volunteer efforts that adhere to established standards, particularly regarding financial transparency. Al Zadjali stressed that all fundraising must be conducted through the association’s official bank accounts, ensuring donations are used for their intended purposes.

The competition also garnered international attention, with one participating team managing to promote its initiative in Britain, underscoring the growing reach and influence of the event.