Philanthropy
Community value is central to how we create positive, lasting impact beyond our operations. Guided by our philanthropic vision to create resilient, empowered and thriving sustainable communities in harmony with nature, we focus our philanthropy programmes on strengthening social well-being, expanding opportunity and responding to the needs of the community.
Our initiatives translate our commitment to giving back into meaningful action across the communities we serve through awareness, collaboration and enterprise.
Dubai Holding's Gift It Forward transforms surplus items into gifts for low-income beneficiaries. In partnership with the Community Development Authority, it repurposed 440,000+ items worth more than AED 21 million in 2024 and 2025, engaging 37+ partners, diverting 15 tonnes from landfill and reaching 26,000+ individuals with 1,800+ volunteers. In 2026, Gift It Forward is distributing over 500,000 brand-new items to more than 20,000 beneficiaries across the UAE with the support of 55+ partners.
Dubai Holding's Innovate For Tomorrow Challenge, launched at COP28, empowers entrepreneurs to deliver circular economy solutions aligned with UN SDG 12 and UAE national priorities. In collaboration with in5, the 2025 edition attracted over 1400 submissions from 93 countries. Past winners include Norway's Othalo (recycled plastic housing) and UAE's The Surpluss (resource redirection), securing prizes, in5 membership and pilot projects with Dubai Holding.
Nakheel, part of Dubai Holding Real Estate, partnered with Bildits to launch Blueprint for the Future, a hands-on sustainability and construction programme for high school students. Aligned with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, it engaged nearly 1,000 students from 65 nationalities across eight Dubai schools, delivering almost 3,000 learning hours focused on sustainable design, materials, carbon impact and waste management, culminating in national finals in November 2025.
