Q: What are the Third Sector Awards? What are the awards objectives?
The Third Sector Awards is an initiative by the Department of Community Development to recognize and celebrate the contributions of organizations and individuals across Abu Dhabi’s third sector. Held every two years, the Awards were first launched in June 2024. The current cycle features four domains and eight categories.
The Awards aim to:
- Recognize outstanding third-sector entities and community champions.
- Inspire entities and individuals to achieve greater social impact.
- Strengthen the credibility of the third sector as a key driver of community development.
- Promote a culture of engagement, innovation, and social responsibility across the emirate.
- Support entities in enhancing their institutional strength and operational effectiveness.
Q: What are the award domains and categories?
The second cycle of the Third Sector Awards features four main domains and a total of eight categories:
- Not-for-Profit Organizations (NFPs)
- NFP of the Year
- Most Impactful NFP
- Rising NFP of the Year
- Social Enterprises (SEs)
- SE of the Year
- Most Impactful SE
- Volunteering
- Volunteering Team of the Year
- Volunteering Opportunity of the Year
- AI for Social Impact
- AI-Powered Entity of the Year
Q: How to apply for the award?
Applications can be submitted through the official application portal via the following link: [Click Here].
Applicants are required to complete all fields accurately and provide relevant supporting documents and evidence to substantiate their responses.
Q: Who is eligible to participate in the Awards? What are the Awards criteria, and how will submissions be evaluated?
Each award domain has its own eligibility criteria and participation requirements. The main requirements include ensuring that entities and organizations hold the necessary licenses and accreditations in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and provide supporting documents related to social impact, governance, and institutional sustainability.
Submissions will be evaluated based on a set of criteria related to social impact, innovation, sustainability, governance, and the quality of initiatives and projects submitted under each category. For the full list of eligibility requirements and detailed criteria for each domain, please visit the eligibility criteria page through the following this link:
Q: Can entries be amended once submitted?
No, once an application has been submitted, it cannot be amended. So participants are encouraged to ensure completing the form accurately before submitting.
Q: Can volunteering individuals apply for the award?
For the second cycle of the Awards, applications within the volunteering domain are limited to volunteering teams and entities that design and deliver volunteering opportunities. Individual volunteers are not eligible to apply.
Q: Can we apply for more than one category?
Yes, applicants may submit applications to multiple categories, provided they meet the eligibility requirements for each category.
Q: What documents are required to apply?
The required documents vary depending on the selected award category and the nature of the application. Applicants are expected to provide relevant supporting documents and evidence to substantiate their responses.
For full details, please refer to the Award Guidelines: [Click Here].
Q: When does the application process close?
The application period opens in June 2026 and closes at the end of July 2026. Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered.
Q: Will only first place winners be awarded?
Yes, only first place winners will be recognized in each category. However, all applicants will receive a post-evaluation report outlining their overall performance and areas for improvement.
Q: What are the prizes?
Winners of first place will receive a commemorative trophy and a certificate of recognition from the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi, in addition to an incentives package provided by Ma’an Social Contribution Authority aimed at supporting the growth of winning entities and enhancing the sustainability of their social impact.
Winners will receive a curated incentive package by the Social Contribution Authority Maan:
- Priority in securing access to the Athar+ community for up to two representatives (membership, co-working spaces, meeting rooms access with extended usage quota)
- Access to a network of vetted service providers and associated benefits including advisory services on business, branding, legal and accounting consultations.
- Full utilization of the Athar+ platform and its engagement tools including a series of workshops focused on building capacities, enhancing well-being, and strengthening impact and policy awareness within the social sector.
Q: What is the selection process?
Applications are first screened for eligibility by the technical team. Eligible submissions then undergo a comprehensive evaluation by independent assessors, who review the applications and supporting evidence.
Finalists are subsequently validated by a cross-sectoral steering committee.
Q: When will the winners be announced?
Winners will be announced during the official Award Ceremony, scheduled to take place in November 2026. (exact date TBD)
Q: Who can be contacted for further questions/information?
For any inquiries, please contact: thirdsectorawards@addcd.gov.ae.