Arab Hope Makers Opens Applications for Seventh Edition, Offering AED 1M Prize
Applications are now open for the seventh edition of Arab Hope Makers, an initiative launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The programme offers the winner a cash prize of AED 1M ($272,294).
Individuals, volunteer groups and non-profit organisations involved in community initiatives can apply directly or be nominated by others through arabhopemakers.com.
The initiative celebrates voluntary, non-profit efforts that transform lives, ease suffering, strengthen communities and tackle challenges affecting people’s everyday lives.
Arab Hope Makers, which operates under the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), aims to identify individuals and organisations across the Arab world and beyond that are delivering meaningful change through impactful projects, programmes, campaigns and innovative initiatives.
Eligible initiatives must contribute to social, economic, cultural or educational development and operate on a voluntary, non-profit basis.
Sheikh Mohammed said: “Nurturing hope is a triumph for life itself. The hope we cultivate today will yield prosperity, peace and safety in people’s lives tomorrow.”
He also encouraged individuals to participate in the initiative and urged the public to nominate deserving candidates through arabhopemakers.com, saying: “We are proud of everyone who seeks to transform their reality through the power of goodness. We encourage them to apply, and we invite the public to nominate those they deem worthy of this recognition via arabhopemakers.com.”
Beyond financial assistance, the initiative helps recognised Hope Makers scale their projects and reach more beneficiaries. It also raises awareness of their work through traditional media, digital platforms and emerging communication channels.
Arab Hope Makers was established in 2017, following an announcement by Sheikh Mohammed on his official social media accounts inviting people to take on the role of Hope Maker for a reward of AED 1M ($272,294).
The first announcement received more than 65,000 applications from individuals, volunteer groups and humanitarian and community organisations across the Arab world, surpassing the initial target of 20,000 submissions.
The sixth edition attracted more than 15,800 participants, taking the cumulative number of participants across the initiative’s first six editions to over 335,000.
Mohammad Al Gergawi, Secretary-General of MBRGI, said Arab Hope Makers had played an important role in advancing humanitarian efforts and volunteerism across the Arab world since its inception.
Al Gergawi said: “The 7th edition comes as part of the UAE’s inspiring journey in humanitarian and charitable work, and its continuous pursuit to nurture noble, innovative projects. The initiative shines a light on the great aspects of our Arab societies and the potential and talents dedicated to sincerely improving people’s lives, by empowering communities to access their fundamental rights to education, healthcare and a dignified life, as demonstrated by tens of thousands of inspiring humanitarian stories in every edition.”
Fouzia Jbara Mahmoudi from Morocco was named the 2025 Arab Hope Maker after securing the highest number of votes at the initiative’s closing ceremony.
She received recognition for her work with Operation Smile, a foundation that supports children born with cleft lips and palates and had carried out more than 19,000 surgeries.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, presented Mahmoudi with the AED 1M ($272,294) award.
He also instructed that the two other finalists, Hend Alhajri from Kuwait and Abderrahmane Rais from Morocco, each receive AED 1M ($272,294). This brought the total prize money awarded in the sixth edition to AED 3M ($816,882).
Alhajri established Fatima House during her volunteer work in Tanzania, creating a safe home for orphaned children. Rais, meanwhile, founded an initiative dedicated to supporting widows and women facing difficult circumstances across Morocco.