The Nabdh Al Falah Community Hub has marked one year since its launch this month celebrating a record number of achievements that underscore its success in establishing an integrated social engagement model.
Designed to act as a key hub for strengthening family cohesion, enhancing quality of life, and empowering community members, in Al Falah, Abu Dhabi, in particular, and across the emirate, Nabdh Al Falah is the first in a series of hubs being established by the Department of Community Development (DCD), in efforts to advance the provision of social services and build an ecosystem that will strengthen multi-sector partnerships.
Since its launch in February 2025, Nabdh Al Falah has delivered 219 programmes across 754 sessions, in partnership with 105 government, private-sector, and third sector entities. The centre has attracted more than 29,000 participants, equivalent to over half of Al Falah’s local population. Attendance has exceeded the initial launch target by nearly 14 times, reflecting strong community engagement and trust in the hub and its services.
Programmes delivered over the last 12 months have covered a range of social priorities, with learning and skills development accounting for 35 per cent of total programmes, followed by social support at 28 per cent. Additional programmes focused on culture and national identity, sports and wellbeing, and social and recreational activities, ensuring a comprehensive response to the needs of different community groups.
His Excellency Eng Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Department of Community Development, said: “The achievements recorded within a single year reflect DCD’s vision to develop an integrated social services system that places people at its core while contributing to building a more cohesive and interconnected society. Investing in active community spaces represents a direct investment in quality of life. The centre’s success also highlights the importance of partnership and integration among different community-minded entities in delivering sustainable social impact.”
His Excellency also pointed to the significant figures and indicators achieved during the hub first year as a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of the DCD’s approach. This, His Excellency asserted, is based on actively engaging the community in designing solutions and delivering programmes that respond to real needs on the ground.
His Excellency described the centre as a practical model of the role Nabdh Community Hubs play in strengthening social cohesion, supporting family stability and creating an enabling environment that empowers individuals to actively contribute to community development.
His Excellency Mohammed Helal Al Balooshi, Executive Director of the Community Engagement and Empowerment Sector at DCD, said: “Nabdh Al Falah represents a practical model for translating community vision into tangible outcomes through programmes that stem from residents’ needs and align with their aspirations.
“Effective partnerships have played a key role in maximising social impact, whether in empowering individuals, supporting family stability or strengthening community identity. Strong community engagement with the hub’s programmes also reflects public trust in the services provided and supports plans to further develop initiatives and expand their scope in the next phase, ensuring sustainable impact and reinforcing the role of Nabdh Community Hubs as key platforms for social participation and empowerment across the emirate.”
Beyond the huge participation and large number of activities conducted, the centre has delivered real social impact. For example, in 2025, 46 Medeem weddings were hosted, with an additional 30 Medeem weddings already booked for 2026.
Nabdh Al Falah’s role is growing, particularly in areas that support family stability and the strengthening of social bonds. The community centre also recorded participation by more than 10,000 individuals in sports and health programmes, delivered across 120 sessions, exceeding targets threefold within six months.
In the area of empowerment and capacity building, more than 35 per cent of the centre’s programmes focused on skills development, future readiness and employment opportunities. This included 29 programmes delivered through 91 sessions, reaching more than 3,800 beneficiaries, demonstrating the effective translation of partners’ expertise into direct community impact.
During its first year of operations, the centre also placed particular emphasis on youth engagement, delivering more than 210 targeted sessions, including 75 sessions focused on national identity and cultural continuity, while integrating future-oriented and technical skills to balance global openness with Emirati values.
Nabdh Al Falah is not a singular project; it is understood to be the first in a series of similar hubs to be rolled out by the Department of Community Development in different communities across Abu Dhabi, in the near future. According to the DCD, these hubs will become active community drivers that enhance service integration and support the transition towards a more participatory model that places people at the heart of social development, contributing to long-term, sustainable community growth.
