Sharjah Award For Voluntary Work Now Accepting Registrations For Its 23rd Edition

The 23rd Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work (SAVW) is open for registration on its official website until 31st December 2025. This award acknowledges individuals and institutions that have significantly contributed to volunteerism. It aims to foster a culture of volunteering and support community service projects that reflect generosity and social responsibility.

Dr. Jasim Mohammed Al Hammadi, the award's Secretary-General, emphasised the award's role in promoting volunteerism. He mentioned that it has become a popular platform for recognising exceptional volunteers in the UAE. The previous edition saw widespread participation from diverse societal segments, highlighting growing awareness of volunteer work's importance in sustainable development.

Al Hammadi noted that the 23rd edition will introduce updated evaluation criteria and judging methods. These updates aim to align with recent advancements in both institutional and individual volunteerism. In 2024, during the 22nd edition, 41 out of 105 participants were honoured after completing significant volunteer hours across various opportunities.

Suad Al Shamsi, Executive Director of SAVW, explained that the Board of Trustees has approved an additional category, increasing the total number to 15. This decision reflects the award's commitment to embracing participants from all walks of life and age groups. The categories include Best Organisation Creating Volunteer Opportunities and Outstanding Supporter of Volunteer Activity.

Other categories are Finest Volunteer Initiative, Record for Most Volunteer Hours, and "Volunteer Knight" for university students with high participation levels. Awards also recognise senior volunteers' efforts through the Authenticity Award and persons with determination via the Himmah Award.

Acknowledging Diverse Contributions

The awards further include Best Community-Based Organisation, Finest Volunteer Team, Best Young Leader of Volunteer Teams, Exemplary Volunteer recognition, and best neighbourhood for volunteer work. Additionally, there are awards for excellence in social responsibility and specialised volunteerism.

The award encourages all UAE entities to participate this year to cultivate a culture of giving and volunteerism. By doing so, it aims to enhance community engagement and highlight the value of voluntary contributions across different sectors.

With inputs from WAM