The UAE Ministry of Community Empowerment has launched Madar, a national social empowerment programme that aims to help around 7,500 work-capable social welfare beneficiaries secure employment, develop new skills and achieve long-term financial independence.
- Madar programme focuses on employment, entrepreneurship and financial literacy
- Ministry partners with Nafis and MoHRE to prepare Emiratis for jobs
- Welfare support will continue until suitable employment is secured
- Some welfare beneficiaries are exempt from employment participation
- Officials say Madar strengthens long-term social and economic empowerment
The initiative supports unemployed Emiratis aged 21 to 54 who are capable of working. It offers career guidance, skills development, job matching and financial literacy programmes. As a result, the government aims to reduce long-term dependence on welfare while strengthening economic participation.
The programme also forms part of the UAE’s wider strategy to transform social support into sustainable economic empowerment and improve family stability.
Madar programme focuses on employment, entrepreneurship and financial literacy
Madar is built around three core tracks that address different aspects of economic empowerment.
The Professional Empowerment track prepares beneficiaries for employment through career assessments, training, skills development and job placement support.
Meanwhile, the Empowerment for Emirati Families Entrepreneurs track helps Emirati families establish and expand home-based and small businesses.
In addition, the Financial Literacy track equips participants with practical financial management skills to improve budgeting, savings and long-term economic stability.
Together, these three tracks aim to increase workforce participation while encouraging entrepreneurship and financial resilience.
Ministry partners with Nafis and MoHRE to prepare Emiratis for jobs
The Ministry of Community Empowerment is delivering the Professional Empowerment track in partnership with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and the Nafis programme through the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council.
These partnerships will help beneficiaries gain job-ready skills that match current labour market requirements. They will also improve access to suitable employment opportunities across different sectors.
Beneficiaries will complete professional assessments before receiving tailored training, career guidance and job matching support.
Welfare support will continue until suitable employment is secured
The programme has been designed to support beneficiaries throughout their employment journey.
Importantly, social welfare benefits will continue until participants receive suitable job offers that match their qualifications and abilities.
The ministry also confirmed that salaries offered through the programme must exceed the value of existing welfare benefits. Therefore, beneficiaries may reject job offers that fail to meet this requirement.
After placement, participants will receive 12 months of follow-up support to improve job retention, career progression and long-term financial stability.
Some welfare beneficiaries are exempt from employment participation
The Professional Empowerment track does not apply to every welfare beneficiary.
Exempt groups include:
- Students and children under 21
- Custodial mothers caring for children under six years old
- Parents caring for children of determination under 21
- People of determination
- Individuals with health-related disabilities
- Senior citizens and retirees who do not meet participation criteria
Furthermore, the ministry said employment opportunities will consider each beneficiary’s personal circumstances, including commuting distance and caregiving responsibilities.
Officials say Madar strengthens long-term social and economic empowerment
Noor Abulhoul, Assistant Undersecretary of the Social Welfare and Empowerment Sector at the Ministry of Community Empowerment, said the programme reflects the UAE’s commitment to investing in people and creating opportunities that strengthen individual capabilities.
She added that Madar supports the ministry’s vision of transforming social welfare into a pathway towards sustainable development, employment and economic participation.
Meanwhile, Ahlam Al Ahmad, Director of the Social and Economic Empowerment Department, said beneficiaries will complete a structured journey that includes registration, professional readiness assessments, capacity building, skills development, job matching and employment placement.
She also emphasised that long-term job stability remains a key measure of the programme’s success, with beneficiaries being matched only to roles that suit their qualifications and capabilities.
