Ma’an Launches Athar+ Hub To Empower Social Enterprises And Non-Profits In Abu Dhabi

The Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an has launched Athar+, a hub in Abu Dhabi dedicated to enhancing social impact. This initiative, part of the "From the Community to the Community" label, aims to boost community involvement. Athar+ unites social enterprises, non-profits, and impact makers into a collaborative ecosystem for social entrepreneurship.

Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development, highlighted that Ma’an is committed to launching initiatives that foster sustainable positive impacts in Abu Dhabi. He stated, "The launch of Athar+ platform reflects the social sector’s commitment to building an ecosystem that empowers third sector entities, including public benefit organisations and social enterprises—entities that have emerged from the community to serve the community."

Athar+ provides workspaces, expert mentorship, professional services, and growth programmes to help social enterprises and non-profits expand their missions across Abu Dhabi. Located at Madar_39, it serves as a catalyst for collaboration and inclusion by offering dedicated spaces for developing solutions and sharing knowledge.

Abdullah Humaid Al Ameri, Director-General of Ma’an, explained that Athar+ is part of efforts to empower the third sector and promote social entrepreneurship. He said it aims to accelerate growth through capacity-building and networking opportunities. "These efforts contribute to addressing social priorities in Abu Dhabi while building a more cohesive and inclusive community," he added.

The hub is funded by community contributions and designed by Ma’an to support impact-driven organisations. It offers capacity-building workshops, networking events, advisory support, and flexible membership options. These resources reinforce Ma’an’s commitment to connecting communities and nurturing an empowered social sector.

Dr. Al Khaili noted that over 150 third-sector organisations are expected to benefit from Athar+, which offers unique services and programmes. He emphasised efforts to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a supportive city for institutions addressing social challenges with innovative solutions.

Public-Private Collaboration

Al Ameri expressed gratitude towards Abu Dhabi community members for supporting this initiative. He particularly commended Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank for its contribution as a model of effective public-private collaboration in driving community-focused initiatives.

Athar+ underscores Ma’an’s vision of fostering a culture of giving and participation while advancing measurable social progress. The hub strengthens Abu Dhabi’s role as a regional leader in social entrepreneurship by creating an enabling environment for impactful change.

With inputs from WAM