His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has officially launched the sixth edition of the Hope Makers initiative—an unprecedented Arab platform that honors individuals and organizations making a positive impact in their communities through humanitarian and social efforts.
This powerful initiative recognizes projects, campaigns, and programs that aim to improve quality of life, assist the vulnerable, bring relief to disaster-stricken populations, and contribute meaningfully to society without seeking financial return.
“Making hope is the noblest achievement of those who serve their communities. Hope makers open doors to dreams and windows to safety for people,” said Sheikh Mohammed.
“Our Arab world is rich with inspiring individuals—real heroes who embody selflessness and dedication every single day.”
Sheikh Mohammed invited individuals and communities to nominate inspiring figures through the official website arabhopemakers.com, emphasizing that tens of thousands of unsung heroes work behind the scenes with no desire for recognition—simply to uplift others.
Promoting a Culture of Giving and Positivity
His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi, Secretary General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, affirmed that the Hope Makers initiative embodies the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to spread a culture of giving, and to spotlight inspiring role models across the Arab world who selflessly work to develop their communities and instill optimism and hope.
He stated:
“Since its launch in 2017, this unique initiative has played a significant role in raising awareness about the importance of both individual and institutional volunteer efforts, and their ability to improve lives and open new horizons for marginalized groups within Arab societies to express their potential and spark a spirit of challenge and hope.”
Al Gergawi added:
“The initiative has witnessed massive engagement over five previous editions, receiving more than 320,000 nominations. This consistent success in both volume and quality of humanitarian and charitable initiatives confirms that our Arab world possesses limitless potential for giving, and countless noble projects worthy of recognition and appreciation.”
Who Can Participate?
The Hope Makers award is open to anyone—individuals, NGOs, charities, or volunteer groups—who lead impactful initiatives in any field. Nominees must demonstrate a commitment to social service and operate without profit motive. Winners receive a financial reward of AED 1 million, both as recognition and to help scale their initiatives.
Applications and nominations are now being accepted through arabhopemakers.com.
From Local Efforts to Regional Impact
Each edition of Hope Makers has celebrated remarkable individuals whose work has inspired change across the Arab world:
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Nawal Al-Soufi, an Italian-Moroccan humanitarian, rescued over 200,000 refugees crossing into Europe.
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Hisham Al-Dhahabi from Iraq established shelters for homeless children.
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Mahmoud Wahid from Egypt founded a program to shelter elderly homeless individuals.
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Nawal Mostafa advocated for female prisoners and their children in Egypt.
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Steve Sosebee, an American-Palestinian, launched a global network of volunteers to aid injured Palestinian children.
In its fifth edition, Ahmed Zeinoun from Morocco, who supports children with Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP), was named the top Hope Maker for his dedication to providing life-saving medicine and support to more than 140 affected children.
Creating a Movement of Positive Change
Beyond financial rewards, the initiative also established the Hope Makers Academy, with AED 50 million in funding to provide training, mentorship, and global expertise to scale humanitarian projects across the region.
Sheikh Mohammed’s vision is clear: to spotlight and support every Arab who chooses to make hope their mission, regardless of the scale or setting of their work.
“Hope Makers are those who serve humanity without asking for anything in return,” he said. “They deserve to be celebrated, supported, and known to the world.”
Key Goals of the Initiative:
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Highlight and amplify grassroots changemakers
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Encourage a spirit of giving and resilience across generations
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Provide tangible support to humanitarian efforts
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Inspire youth to believe in change and take action
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Establish a culture of community responsibility and compassion
The Hope Makers initiative stands today as one of the most powerful platforms dedicated to celebrating human kindness in the Arab world, a true reflection of what it means to serve others with purpose and hope.
