The Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, an entity under the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi, launched the My Family Innovates programme to help productive families evolve their home-based businesses into competitive, sustainable and market-ready operations. The initiative aligns with the UAE Year of Family and focuses on building practical capabilities among participants while fostering greater economic and social involvement that benefits their households. A statement from the authority issued on October 7, 2026 outlined how the programme creates opportunities for families at varying stages of business development, including low-income groups and People of Determination.
Training under the programme covers entrepreneurship, business management, branding, digital marketing, artificial intelligence tools and market readiness techniques, Ma’an reported. The authority’s announcement indicated that 150 individuals across Abu Dhabi will gain these skills to strengthen their confidence and expand their participation in the economy. Such targeted support aims to help families adapt to market demands and generate lasting opportunities, the organisation added.
Partnerships with stakeholders from multiple sectors will facilitate programme delivery, according to Ma’an. Volunteers contribute hands-on experiences that promote innovation, creativity and community interaction, while also advancing a broader culture of volunteering and active civic engagement. The authority’s framework turns learning into applied practice that reinforces family self-reliance and responsiveness to emerging commercial conditions.
His Excellency Abdullah Al Ameri, Director General of the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, said, “Strong families are at the heart of thriving communities, and empowering families with the skills and opportunities to adapt, innovate and contribute is an important part of building a resilient society.” Al Ameri added in the announcement that the programme creates an environment where families learn from one another, develop practical capabilities and convert potential into tangible positive action. He noted that My Family Innovates reflects the spirit of the UAE Year of Family by uniting communities.
Ma’an’s website data places the authority’s cumulative impact at 794.5 million dirhams in funds raised, more than 430,000 volunteers engaged and 99 partnerships formed to advance social contribution across Abu Dhabi. These figures underscore the organisation’s established role in nurturing community-driven initiatives and social enterprises throughout the emirate. The new programme extends this record by concentrating on home-based productive families that form a vital part of the local economic fabric.
Earlier Ma’an efforts have included social incubator cycles that awarded seed funding and mentorship to start-up teams developing community solutions, a review of the authority’s activities showed. Such precedents illustrate a consistent approach toward equipping residents with tools for innovation and self-sufficiency. The latest launch continues this trajectory by addressing specific needs in family-led businesses that often operate without formal structures or digital capabilities.
