Dubai: More than 26,000 stories of young people tackling societal challenges through self-initiative, optimism, and limitless confidence have been submitted in just one month as part of the fifth edition of the Arab Hope Makers initiative, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, announced on Saturday.

Under the hashtag #LifeHasTaughtMe, Sheikh Mohammed emphasised that hope is the foundation of life, saying: “Hope is the bridge between the reality we live and the future we aspire to. We must contribute to building bridges for millions of young people so that despair and hopelessness do not overtake them. Believing in hope is believing in life itself.”

The Hope Makers Awards Ceremony is scheduled for February 23, bringing together individuals whose initiatives have made a tangible difference in their communities.

Launched under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), the Arab Hope Makers is the largest initiative of its kind in the region, celebrating philanthropists and changemakers who dedicate their resources and efforts to social, humanitarian, and charitable work.

The initiative seeks individuals and organizations across the Arab world and beyond who have developed impactful projects, campaigns, or initiatives that improve lives, alleviate suffering, or address key challenges—all on a voluntary, non-profit basis.

Nominations can be self-submitted or proposed by others who recognize deserving individuals. The winner receives Dh 1 million to support their humanitarian contributions and further develop their projects.

The Arab Hope Makers initiative was first launched in 2017, when Sheikh Mohammed announced a unique job opportunity for the position of “Hope Maker” with a Dh 1 million reward. The initiative attracted over 65,000 applications, exceeding its initial target of 20,000.

Since then, the initiative has evolved into a major platform for recognizing humanitarian efforts, amplifying thousands of inspirational stories from across the Arab world.

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