His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, may God protect him, has directed the launch of the Virtual Community Management Authority, a new initiative inspired by the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, and his approach to empowering individuals and strengthening their role in shaping the future of their country.
The launch coincides with the conclusion of the “Year of the Community” in the UAE, reaffirming the leadership’s commitment to community engagement as a sustainable approach rather than a time-limited initiative.
A Non-Traditional Government Model Based on Community Participation
The Virtual Community Management Authority represents a non-traditional model of government work based on community participation. For the first time, skilled and capable individuals from within the UAE community will be entrusted with the complete management of a government authority.
The Director General and the operational team will be appointed periodically from members of the community, who will manage the authority, execute its tasks, and work on developing practical outcomes of real value that serve the nation.
This innovative model stems from the vision of His Highness the President, may God protect him, focused on human development, empowerment, and investing in talents to serve society and the homeland.
A Leading Global Model for Human-Centered Development
The Authority aims to present a leading global model in participatory governance based on human-centered development and the empowerment of society.
The Authority’s model has been designed in line with the UAE Centennial 2071, which emphasizes providing the best environment for individuals to unleash their potential, and encourages the government to innovate new administrative systems and models that promote experimentation, innovation, and initiative — all contributing to national development.
It also aims to establish the UAE as a global reference in shaping the future of governments, and as a global laboratory for developing and testing new models that serve the UAE society and enhance community engagement.
A Flexible Selection Mechanism
The Virtual Community Management Authority adopts a flexible mechanism for selecting its Director General and community-based team, based on clear and transparent criteria for competence, experience, specialization, and the practical ability to contribute to achieving the Authority’s goals.
Both the Director General and team members will be selected on a rotational basis and for defined timeframes, which supports the renewal of ideas, exchange of expertise, and opens the door for the widest possible participation from different segments of society in managing the Authority.
This approach enhances the principle of role rotation and shared responsibility, reinforcing the concept of community leadership based on giving, initiative, and sustainability, and deepens the sense of collective national responsibility, in alignment with the objectives of the Year of the Community.
Attracting Diverse Segments of Society
The Authority seeks to attract individuals from various segments of the UAE community who possess skills and energy, enabling them to take turns managing the Authority and contributing to its teams.
This includes experts, specialists, professionals, academics, youth, entrepreneurs, and retirees with accumulated experience and valuable practical knowledge.
Each group will have the opportunity to contribute in line with their expertise, ensuring integration between generations and transforming the UAE’s social diversity into an active force that supports national development.
Focus on High-Impact Tasks of National and Societal Value
The Authority will focus on tasks of clear national and societal value, derived from the community’s actual needs and aspirations. It aims to contribute directly to enhancing quality of life and fostering community cohesion.
Its work will involve the development of practical initiatives, programs, and solutions, and the proposal of innovative models that enhance public participation and support sustainable development.
The ultimate goal is to ensure that the outcomes are impactful and long-lasting, benefiting the nation and its people.
Sustainability Through Clear Organizational Structures
The Authority will ensure continuity and sustainability through well-defined organizational frameworks and approved references that govern its operations and guide its outcomes, ensuring consistency in objectives and the accumulation of institutional knowledge, even with the periodic rotation of its community-based leadership.
The Authority will operate based on specific policies, phased action plans, and mechanisms for documentation and knowledge transfer, helping maintain momentum and ensuring the continuation of initiatives.
It will also align its performance with the UAE’s national directions and approved strategies, guaranteeing consistency with overall priorities and strengthening long-term trust in the participatory governance model.
A Global Reference in Innovative Government Work
The Virtual Community Management Authority carries a pioneering global dimension, offering a first-of-its-kind model in government work by delegating the management of an entire authority to the community, within an organized institutional framework.
This marks a significant evolution in the concept of participatory governance, moving to an advanced applied level that positions this model as a potential reference for future governments.
It combines administrative flexibility, community empowerment, and direct investment in human capital, away from rigid traditional structures. The Authority enhances the UAE’s position as a global hub for innovative government practices and reaffirms its ability to export inspiring experiences in government development and building meaningful partnerships between the state and society.
From the Year of the Community to a Lasting Institutional Model
The launch of the Virtual Community Management Authority serves as a practical and sustainable continuation of the outcomes of the Year of the Community, and a direct embodiment of its slogan “Hand in Hand”, which promoted community partnership not as a temporary initiative, but as an enduring approach.
The Authority forms an institutional framework that preserves the momentum of the initiatives launched during the Year of the Community and transforms them into a permanent practice of involving society in shared responsibility and collaborative solution-making.
