At Dubai Holding, we are committed to supporting local communities through targeted philanthropy. Together with the government, entrepreneurs and communities we innovate for positive social and environmental change.

Dubai Holding’s flagship initiative, Gift It Forward, transformed surplus inventory from UAE businesses into valuable resources for low-income beneficiaries. Partnering with over 32 organisations across public and private sectors, the programme championed circular economy principles, reduced waste and uplifted communities.

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First launched during Ramadan 2024, the initiative’s second edition in 2025 repurposed over 315,000 items worth more than AED 14 million. These included clothing, toiletries, accessories, books, electronics and more, which were transformed into gifts for more than 16,000 individuals. Additionally, the initiative diverted over 85 tonnes of materials from landfills, while promoting responsible consumption and production in line with UN SDG 12.

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The partners included the Community Development Authority (CDA), DHL Global Forwarding, AZADEA Group, L'Occitane en Provence, Virgin Megastore, Apparel Group, Alshaya Group, GMG, The Giving Movement, Fairmont Printing Services, Greenline FZC, Restofair RAK, Rove Hotels, Accenture Middle East, Adeco Technologies LLC and Earthbags. Additionally, outreach partners included Beit Al Khair Society, Dar Al Ber and SmartLife. Execution efforts were supported by partners like Lapis Group, Innov8 Tech Education Services and The Surpluss.

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The programme united over 1,500 volunteers from Dubai Holding and its partners, to make a meaningful impact. Volunteers also attended workshops on responsible consumption, reinforcing the importance of mindful living and sustainability.

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Gift It Forward not only supported low-income families but also fostered a culture of unity and environmental responsibility. Its success earned widespread recognition, including three awards at the 2024 Middle East Public Relations Awards (MEPRA): Gold for Best Business-to-Business Campaign, Bronze for Best Collaborative Partnership Campaign and Bronze for Best Non-profit Campaign. It also received the “Outstanding Initiative” award at the Dubai Appreciation Award for Community Service hosted by the CDA. Read the initiative’s Impact Report here.

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Through Gift It Forward, Dubai Holding continues to champion sustainability, community empowerment and the spirit of giving, setting new benchmarks for social impact in the region.

Dubai Holding believes that enterprise and innovation are key drivers of lasting social change and a sustainable future. During COP28, we launched the Innovate for Tomorrow Challenge, a global initiative aligned with UN SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production). This platform invited innovators and scale-up companies worldwide to present solutions addressing sustainability challenges in the UAE.

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In collaboration with TECOM Group’s in5 business incubator, the challenge attracted over 150 submissions from 31 countries, including representation from UAE-based innovators. After a rigorous selection process, five finalists from the UAE, Norway and the USA showcased their pioneering projects at the Pitch and Award Ceremony held in June 2024 at Dubai’s Museum of the Future. Their solutions addressed critical issues such as upcycling plastic, agricultural waste and resource sharing.

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Norway’s Othalo secured first place for its innovative method of transforming recycled plastic into sustainable housing materials. The runner-up, The Surpluss from the UAE, empowers businesses to reduce waste by redirecting unused resources. Both winners received prizes to support their operations and joined in5’s start-up community for a year. Dubai Holding is collaborating with Othalo on a pilot project set to launch in 2025 and implementing partnerships with other finalists.

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The top 10 finalists also benefitted from Dubai Holding’s extensive network, pitching their innovations to investors and industry leaders during the Investor Pitch Day at GITEX Global’s Expand North Star event in October 2024.

Nakheel, part of Dubai Holding Real Estate, has partnered with the Dubai Reef project by Dubai Can and the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the world’s largest marine reef development. Spanning 600 km², this initiative involves deploying 20,000 purpose-built reef modules over three years. Launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, it aims to enhance biodiversity, protect coastal ecosystems and support aquatic research, regeneration and ecotourism, creating a sustainable future for marine life.

The Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project, the first initiative of its kind in the region, has been a cornerstone of marine wildlife conservation in the UAE. Celebrating 20 years in 2024, the programme has rescued, rehabilitated and released over 2,200 sea turtles - including Green turtles, Hawksbills, Loggerheads and Olive Ridleys - back into the Arabian Gulf.

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Rehabilitation begins with critical care at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab’s aquarium facilities before turtles are transferred to a sea-fed lagoon at Jumeirah Al Naseem. Here, they acclimatise to natural conditions and regain fitness for their return to the ocean. To date, 89 turtles have been equipped with satellite tracking technology, furthering research and conservation efforts.

Jumeirah Thanda Island, located in Tanzania’s Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, is dedicated to preserving marine biodiversity. Led by its marine biologist, the island supports research and restoration projects, identifying over 340 fish species, 34 coral genera and numerous invertebrates. Partnerships with Sea Sense and the Marine Megafauna Foundation focus on protecting endangered turtles and whale sharks, promoting sustainable development and community engagement. Meanwhile, Jumeirah Thanda Safari in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province leads conservation efforts across its 16,500-hectare reserve. Using advanced rhino tracking technology and monitoring cheetahs, elephants and predators, the reserve protects endangered species while supporting range expansion programmes and anti-poaching initiatives.

In 2024, TECOM Group partnered with Emirates Red Crescent to reintroduce The Good Store, a donation platform enabling individuals and organisations to contribute essential items like Ramadan food boxes, Iftar meals and Eid clothing. Through pop-ups, roaming trollies and grocery store takeovers, the initiative united communities, raising AED 133,695 and reaching 8.9 million people, driving meaningful impact during Ramadan.